Page 23 of The Oath Operation

Even as she said the words, she felt a bitter taste in her mouth. It was likely the residual tea leaves in the air. Jules waved at the steam wafting from the teapot, wrinkling her nose as though that would stop the invasion.

Birdy leaned back, still smirking. "But you like him, don’t you?"

"Of course I like him. We're going to be business partners. I suppose we are partners now. I like him a lot. Fish makes me feel strong and capable. He’s quick to get in front of me to move obstacles, then he’s happy to stand behind me and offer his support."

"Sounds like he’s more than just a convenience, cuz." Birdy made a sound in the back of her throat. It sounded more like a cat who had gotten into the cream. Jules looked past her cousin and into the room of other tea drinkers.

Nãinai often hosted these little gatherings of the movers and shakers in the neighborhood. The PTA president sat in a corner chatting with two school board members as they stirred with tiny spoons. The mayor's wife chatted with the wife of one of the two churches in town. Jules’ grandmother had the creme de la crop of power in her living room sipping at her jasmine brew.

"Here you go, Jules," Nãinai said, handing an envelope over with a gentle smile. "Marriage looks good on you."

Jules decided not to answer that. She'd escaped a lecture. Now she had to figure out how to escape getting roped into whatever the ladies of the town were plotting over their teacups. Jules was all set for her getaway until she heard the topic of conversation.

“I still think we should go with that bakery downtown,” Mrs. Thompson said, stirring her tea with a delicate silver spoon. “They have a good reputation, and they’re always reliable.”

“But their pastries are so heavy,” Mrs. Patel chimed in. “We need something lighter for the picnic, something everyone will enjoy.”

“Your right about that,” Mrs. Lee added, her tone wistful. “My grands all have dietary restrictions, and many companies have trouble making accommodations."

"I can do it."

The women turned to her, surprise evident on their faces. Mrs. Thompson raised an eyebrow. “Jules, of course you were our first option. Until the fire."

"She could borrow my ovens."

The deep voice was a surprise since Jules saw nothing but women in the room. She looked again and caught sight of a familiar face—Jed Winchester. He sat casually in a corner, his sharp blue eyes meeting hers with an unreadable expression.

"The committee has decided to use Jed's Grits and Grub to cater since Chow Town is undergoing minor renovations after the fire."

Jules gritted her teeth as she forced a smile. The smile wouldn't come, not for this man who had toyed with the heart of her middle sister back in high school. And now he was stealing business from her eldest sister. He was a snake, just as Jami had called him during their teenage years.

"I'm sure I can find another kitchen, but thank you anyway."

"It's no trouble," Jed drawled. "Especially since the event will be held outside of my restaurant."

Transporting baked goods was always an issue. Going from oven to table would make it easier. But Jules would feel like a traitor if she said yes. Not that she could afford to say no. These were all her best customers. She wanted her bakery to always be first in their minds for events like these.

"Well, if you're sure it's not a problem."

"Not a problem in the slightest." Even his smile looked reptilian. "I’ve got the space and the equipment. Plus, it’ll be good for the community."

Jules hesitated for a moment, glancing at Nãinai, who gave her an encouraging nod. Jules almost wished for one of her lectures. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was about to side with her family's nemesis. But she had to put her business hat on. She'd already married a man who wasn't the love of her life. Now she'd be taking a favor from a man who had hurt her sibling. All for the sake of her business.

She was making hard decisions, choices that twisted her heart even as they made sense for her bakery. She hoped it would be worth it—that all this compromise and sacrifice would lead her to something better, something lasting. But as she walked away, the weight of her choices pressed down on her, making her wonder if the cost might be too high.

ChapterSeventeen

Fish's large hands moved with the precision and ease of someone who had spent countless hours in a professional kitchen. This kitchen was unfamiliar to him, but it was laid out as any standard restaurant kitchen, the kind of setup designed to maximize efficiency and keep the chaos of a busy service under control.

The prep area was well-organized, with stainless steel tables lined with cutting boards and bins of ingredients ready to go. The cooking line stretched out with ovens, stoves, and grills in close proximity, all well-worn from heavy use. Near the back, the hum of the walk-in refrigerator and the clatter of dishes from the dishwashing area added to the quiet rhythm of the space.

He'd been in Jed Winchester's kitchen before. The man had tried to woo him away from Chow Town a few months ago. Fish had gone along with the ploy, but only to do a recon mission. Better to keep the competition close than to have no clue what they were doing.

Beside him, Jules reached for the almond flour. But his hand was already there, passing it to her with a small smile. She looked up, surprised, but didn’t say anything, just took the flour and started measuring.

Fish watched as she carefully sifted it into the bowl, her movements fluid and practiced. When she moved to grab the cocoa powder, again he was there, holding it out to her in the precise measuring cup her recipe called for.

“I could get used to this," she said.

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