Page 64 of Dream a Little Dream

My eyes went wide. So did Brent’s. I gestured behind me to move us forward. “We can head to my office for that meeting, but I have to warn you, Mr. Faber has removed all the furniture and office equipment.”

Maroon nodded politely. Bless him.

“It looks like we’ve been burglarized, and I would hate for that to be your first impression.” My heart hammered. “I promise you, we’re a fantastic little store. You’re going to love us.” I was willing that to happen, hoping to keep my little grocery store family together. I needed these guys to like us.

Sweater held up a hand. “Why don’t you walk us around the store, then? I’m Peter and I’ll be overseeing operations. I’d love to hear your thoughts on what works around here and what could use a second look.”

Well, if that wasn’t music to my ears. I grinned at him.

“I have a lot of ideas. But mainly, I want you to know how much I love this place. I don’t know what your plans are, but the people ofDreamer’s Bay are the heart and soul of this store, and that starts with my employees.”

Brent nodded. “And you’re worried we’re going to come in and clean house.”

“A little. Yes. If I’m being honest.”

“Everything I’ve seen tells me that you’re good at your job, Ms. Potter. The previous owner thought so, too. I think we have a place for you here, but we’ll need to discuss terms and get you trained under the BeLeaf system.”

“Well, Ibeleafthat’s the best news I’ve heard in a while.” I smiled at my own joke and waited for them to join me. Apparently, they’d heard it before. I swallowed. “And my employees?”

“The staff, as it stands on the books, looks a little thin,” Peter said. “We might need to hire a few more folks to fill in the perceived gaps in service. We have incentives for full-timers.”

“The benefits we offer are excellent,” Brent said.

That was better news than I could have even hoped for. I wanted to leap into the air, high-five Peter, and backflip my way back to the front of the store to tell Henrietta that we just might be saved. Hell, I wanted to announce it over the intercom knowing I had two more employees working in the back storeroom who would appreciate the news. Instead, I smiled, thanked the new bosses, and took them on a more informative tour than I knew Faber would ever be capable of. I showed them the tricks we’d put in place to get the produce misters timed out perfectly.

“I have a lot of ideas for store promos, but I do realize that BeLeaf likely has their own.”

“That’s true. We do,” Brent said. He was easy to talk to, which I appreciated. I could imagine him and Kyle shooting the breeze over a beer. “And you’ll be oriented to all of them, but we’re not one size fits all. We want this branch of BeLeaf to have that small-town vibe. It should be unique and stand on its own.”

“I can definitely do unique. I once pitched a choir of singing pumpkins for our Halloween display. Sadly, it never saw the light of day.”

“And maybe it should have. You know your customers. We welcome your ideas, and if they’re a fit for your store and our brand, we’ll be happy to green-light them.” He offered me his hand and I shook it, noticing the bandage on the other. Kyle had done that, and myheart squeezed with pride. “Now, I’m going to let Peter get the lay of the land. He has a lot to go over with you once you get your morning kicked off right. I’ll be in touch.”

I watched as Brent Carmichael strode right out of my store, leaving it very different than when he’d arrived. I turned to Peter, who smiled at me warmly. I liked my new boss. I liked my new prospects. I adored the woman who’d slept in my bed the night before, and maybe, just maybe, I was on the path to getting my life right where I wanted it to be.

* * *

With autumn in full effect and Thanksgiving now just around the corner, homes were beginning to smell like cinnamon and pumpkin. Turkeys were moving out of the store faster than we could stock them, and a general hum of excitement moved through the chilly air. My sweater drawer was getting tons of action, too.

“I love you in sweaters,” Kyle said to me one morning before work. She stayed at my place more nights than she didn’t during the week, and we floated over to the beach house on weekends for a dose of the fresh sea air.

I looked back at her, still lounging in bed in plaid pajama pants and a tank top I very much would have enjoyed removing. As I wrestled to get my earring secured, I sent her a smile. “I’m obsessed with sweaters. Especially the lightweight ones you can trot out when you don’t necessarily need a jacket. There are sweater levels, you see. And I take full advantage.”

Her mouth fell open. “I had no idea you were so opinionated about and well-versed on the topic. I’m more than a little attracted to you right now. Sweater me this. Oversized or fitted?”

“Both. Fitted for work. Oversized for movies on the couch, with an occasional crossover appearance.”

“I like it. I like you. Take the sweater off.” She was being playful. We’d gotten to the point where I could easily decode her looks. When she was serious about us blowing off our jobs to get naked, her posture moved to perfect and her eyes took on a dark and determined quality that sent a shiver through my body every damn time.

“Later. That’s a promise.” I tossed in a wink.

“That image will carry me through my day. You realize that, right?”

“Why I said it. Hey, did you ever hear what your Thanksgiving schedule looks like at the hospital?”

She fell onto her back and her hand went to her forehead in thought. “Yeah, I think I’m six to two.”

“We can eat at three. BeLeaf is closing us entirely for the holiday, which is more than Faber ever allowed.”

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