Page 8 of Meet Jon, the Billionaire

“Yeah, that gives them a leg up on us.” I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. “I’ve never heard of this Breadcetera place.”

“I believe they are family-owned, and not traded on the market.”

I nodded. “That would explain why I’ve never heard of them before. Are they any good?”

I did an internet search, and right away I realized we were in trouble. Five stars, five stars, five stars. Great food and friendly staff. Makes you feel like you’re a guest in their home. Best bagels in the city, fight me…

“How have I never heard of this place before?” I stared at a low-carb maple bacon roll and my stomach growled. “This stuff looks great.”

“It looks as if you’re facing some stiff competition this time, Jonathon.” He arched his brows as I sipped on my kombucha and hated it. “Do you think you’re outclassed?”

“Never.” I did a search by date. “There has to be something we can use against them. Health code violation. Mobster hit in their store, something…”

I got nothing of the sort, but I did get a useful piece of information.

“Look at this, Darwin.” I tapped the screen. “Breadcetera is going to cater the Telly Savalas Memorial Mixed Doubles Charity Tournament. They’ll be providing a mix of Danishes, cookies, cupcakes, and breakfast sandwiches. Whoever is in charge of that place, they move fast!”

“What makes you say that, sir?”

“I happen to know for a fact that at least half the zoning board are active members of the Country Club where this tournament is happening. They’re trying to suck up to the board.”

“Why, those dirty, sneaky scoundrels, sir.”

“Are you kidding, Darwin? It’s brilliant. I wish I had thought of it first…”

Then I got a devious idea. “You can never have too much food at one of these things. Acme Bread is going to donate a full dinner bar to the tournament. I’m talking lobster, filet mignon, a champagne fountain, the whole works.”

I laughed wickedly, enough that Darwin gave me a look.

“What are they going to have? Egg sandwiches and cupcakes? No one will even remember Breadcetera.”

“If I may, Jonathon,” Darwin said, picking up the kombucha bottle and making sure it was empty. “You should enter this mixed doubles tournament yourself. Maybe you’ll get a chance to hobnob with the board members directly.”

“Darwin, you’re a genius. Remind me to give you a raise.”

“You said that yesterday.”

“Then I’ll give you two raises.” I stared at the screen and pointed my finger at the Breadcetera logo. “You don’t even know it yet, but the Tiger has you in his sights… and the Tiger always plays for keeps.”

“Growl, sir,” Darwin quipped.

Chapter Five

Amelia

I’d like to have told you that I went to the gym and started knocking tennis balls around and it all came back to me, and I was ready to play at an epic level for the tournament. I’d like to have told you that, but…

Instead, let’s just say I believed I could avoid embarrassing myself on the tennis court and that was about it.

As the day of the tournament drew near, I grew more and more anxious. My fears weren’t so much about embarrassing myself, as they were about screwing up our chances to get the corner lot. I wanted to impress the board members, not alienate them. Or worse, make them hate my guts and all things Breadcetera.

The night before the tournament, I remained at the Bakery until almost midnight, making sure that all of the food for the catering table would be complete and perfect in every detail. Of course, it seemed like everything wanted to go wrong. The cookies came out a little bit dark, or the cake didn’t rise quite enough. I felt as if every tiny flaw and imperfection were magnified a hundredfold, and that surely anyone would look on it with nothing but contempt and scorn.

“Quit freaking yourself out,” Pedro told me. “They look fine.”

“Fine isn’t good enough, Pedro! They have to be perfect. The future of this business is at stake.”

“Chill out, Amy.” He shrugged. “Sure, it would be great to get that corner lot, but if we don’t so what? The bakery is doing gangbusters.”

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