Page 46 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

He made a right turn and stopped in front of my store. The second I got out of his car, he peeled away as if he were exiting a Formula One pit stop.

It was official: Sir Annoying McGrumpyface had made a triumphant comeback.

Gritting my teeth, I pushed the shop door open. Was I disappointed that he was being a hostile pain in the butt again? Yes, because I thought we were finally becoming friends, but obviously he didn’t share the sentiment. I shouldn’t let it bother me, nor the fact that any trace of The Strictly Professional Kiss seemed to have vanished the moment we said goodbye to Jacqui and Phil yesterday. Should I try to analyze what was going on? No, because he wasn’t my actual boyfriend. Should I move on and focus on the rest of my day as if nothing had happened? Hell yes, if I knew what was good for me. In fact, I should follow the steps of my freshly completed Stay on Track Plan:

First and foremost, focus on getting the bakery up and running.

Distraction is king: I need to spend more time doing things I love—getting back to the kitchen to test new recipes, and working through my Netflix queue and Kindle to-read list.

Minimize contact and establish clear boundaries with him. DO NOT, under any circumstances, not even in the name of fake courtship, KISS HIM AGAIN. Not even if the universe was coming to an imminent end and kissing him is the only thing that could save humanity from destruction and/or extinction.

List his negative qualities and reasons we’re incompatible: he’s arrogant, annoying, listens to awful podcasts, and sees me only as Eric’s little sister. Possibly has a (soon-to-be) girlfriend.

If all the above fails, remember: he nearly killed me ten years ago. Fine, it wasn’t technically his fault, whatever, but he was the one who had triggered the whole thing.

When I walked in, Rob and his team were already knee-deep in wires and electrical switches. The work was progressing nicely, and things were taking shape. I pushed aside my frustration and disappointment with Alec to admire the view: the previously drab walls were now freshly painted in beige, and the floor tiles had been cleaned and polished to gleaming perfection. My shiny, beautiful, new commercial oven was delivered yesterday, and Rob had scheduled the installation this week. I couldn’t stop grinning as I ran my hand across its sleek surface. Things were moving forward, and on budget, bringing me closer to achieving my dreams.

I spent the day checking things off my To-Do List: planning several menu options for the bakery, ordering kitchen tools and equipment, and chasing city officials to make sure the permits and licenses would be ready in time.

That afternoon, as I switched off the lights and locked the door, Alec’s SUV swung into the empty spot just vacated by Rob’s truck. He got out, his face as surly as it had been this morning. I schooled my features to match his unpleasant scowl.

Alec nodded at me. “You ready to go?”

Shoving my keys into my bag, I lifted my chin. “No. I don’t accept rides from rude, unfriendly faces. I can get home on my own, thank you.” Shouldering my backpack, I started walking toward the main Plaza building, where the bus terminal was.

He growled from behind me. “Stop. You’re being stubborn again.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Where are you going?” He marched after me, catching my arm to anchor me in place. “You don’t have a car, and I’m trying to help. The least you could do is say thanks.”

I snatched my arm away. “I have beennothingbut grateful for everything you’ve done for me. But I don’t appreciate you shoving that in my face as an excuse for your grouchiness. So thanks, but no thanks, because I don’t need your help.”

“I know you don’t, but I promised Eric. He would’ve done the same thing for my sisters.”

The hairs on the back of my neck prickled. Eric, Eric, Eric. I loved my brother, but I was so sick of hearing Alec wonder,What Would Eric Do?The only reason he was being thoughtful was because he promised my brother to look out for me. The wisest thing to do was to pour cold water on whatever feelings I was redeveloping for him, because they were only setting me up for a much harder fall.

I swung around and hissed at him, “You know what, Mackenzie? You’rethe mostfrustrating man alive. I thought we had a good weekend. We were an awesome team, we charmed Jacqui, and I was even under the delusion that we were finally becoming friends. Yet for some unknown reason, you’ve gone back to your old irritating self this morning.”

He pursed his lips but said nothing.

“Sure, if that’s what you want, I’ll play along,” I said. “Wedon’t have to be friendly and civil to each other outside of our agreement.”

He closed his eyes and rubbed a hand over his face.

“We’re done here.” I gave him one last stink eye and walked away.

“Wait,” he called out, his footsteps echoing behind me. “You’re right. We do make an amazing team. You completely charmed Jacqui yesterday. I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”

I kept walking. He kept following.

“I owe you an apology. For being rude this morning, and for the kiss.”

My steps faltered.

“I know I said we should be professionals, but I swear, I didn’t mean for it to happen for that long. It was just something I thought of on the spot to convince Jacqui.”

I stopped and turned around to face him.

---