Page 68 of Salty, Spiced, and a Little Bit Nice

“She’s talking to Phil.” I tugged at his hand, motioning to where the pair was standing. “Don’t think they’re comparing notes about the weather.”

They were both raising their voices, although I couldn’t hear what they were arguing about. Phil shook his head in exasperation, before rolling his shoulder in a “whatever” shrug. He turned around to leave, giving us a curt nod as he passed, not bothering to stop and say hi.

Jacqui, on the other hand, looked positively unperturbed. Spotting us, she waved her hand, beckoning us to come over. “Glad you all could make it.” She shook Alec and Rob’s hands, then gave me a hug. “How’s the bakery going?”

The tiniest shred of remorse tore at me, because I was deceiving this kind, wonderful woman.It’s just a business transaction.I squashed my guilt into a pulp and offered Jacqui a smile. “We’re opening very soon. You should come by sometime.”

“Actually, I’m celebrating my fortieth next month. I’ll get my PA to place an order for the party. You’re all invited, of course.”

The guilt returned, larger and meaner than before, coupled with shame instilled from a lifetime of strict and manipulative parental upbringing, berating me for deceiving her:She’s helping you with your business, and you’re lying to her face in return?

I wassogoing to hell for this.

“Come with me,” Jacqui said. “I’ll introduce you to our board.”

For the next half hour, I smiled and shook hands with God knows how many suited men and women Jacqui had foisted on us. Everyone expressed their excitement to Alec and Rob, raving about how delighted they were that they’d be working together. Then Jacqui’s PA ushered us into a group picture, and I fixed a bright grin on my face, wishing that I was snug and comfortable under my blanket instead of being here.

Well, once Alec signed his agreement, I wouldn’t have to do this anymore, and we could start planning our fake breakup. Then I could stop lying and deceiving everyone, especially Jacqui, giving my overworked guilt a much-needed break.

It was an excellent plan, so why did it still feel like the world was about to be plunged into an eternity of gloom and despair?

Because once this is over, it’s time to say goodbye.

“By the way,” Jacqui said once the board members had dispersed and mingled with the other guests, “we’re having our annual company outing this weekend. You should all come along, celebrate our new partnership. Three days, two nights at one of our beautiful resorts. We leave Friday afternoon.”

“This Friday?” Alec asked. “As in, the day after tomorrow?”

“Yes. We’ll sign our agreement in the morning and celebrateon the weekend. It’ll be great!” She nodded at her PA. “Carmel will be in touch with the details.”

Three days, two nights?

With Alec? Faking being his girlfriend in view of everyone?

My brain went into panic overdrive, and I blurted out the first excuse I could think of. “I can’t. We’re opening soon, and I can’t leave, there’s still so many things to do…”

“We’re pretty much done,” Rob unhelpfully announced.The traitor.“We’re ahead of schedule, and everything’s under control. You don’t have to worry, E.”

“It’s only a few days.” Jacqui gave my arm a friendly pat. “You look pale. Maybe you’ve been working too hard. This is the perfect chance to take a break.” She directed her next sentence at Alec. “Oh, and I’ll have Carmel send a draft of the press release about the acquisition to you first thing tomorrow morning. Let me know if you want any changes with the wording.”

As soon as she was out of earshot and Rob went to look for food, I pulled Alec aside.

“Company trip.” I let out a growl. “Do you know what that means?”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “That we’re going for a short getaway?”

My eyes bulged at him. “She’ll be expecting us to sleep in the same room. We can’t—I can’t—no.No way in hell.”

I didn’t even need to do my usual pros and cons list to know that saying yes would be the worst idea of the decade.Of the freaking century.Sharing the same house with him was hard enough as it was, especially after that WhatsApp revelation. I wasn’t foolish enough to torture myself, but if I were, I’d rather have papercuts all over my fingers than spend two nights in the same room with him. There was no way I could survive without slowly descending into madness and hell.

“Madness and hell, huh?” He made a “pfft” sound, as I realizedI’d voiced it out loud. “Come on, Ellie. I promise this is the very last thing you’ll have to do. I’m signing the agreement on Friday. Work at your shop is almost done. After next week, we can go our separate ways.”

Think of it as a goodbye trip, my heart gently coaxed me.

I silenced the small thud of gloom that went through me. This would probably be my last ever chance to spend some time with him. Because he was right. In less than two weeks, he wouldn’t be in my life anymore, and we’d be living completely separate lives.

Three days will be over before you know it.

And so, to the boisterous victory cheers from my heart, I said, “I’ll go, but you get the pull-out sofa, and if there’s even the tiniest hint of a snore coming out of you, I swear I’ll smother you with a pillow.”

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