Page 36 of Serving the CEO

I spun around. “What? Mom, no.”

She patted my arm. “Come on. Let’s go have some coffee. We’ll talk.”

We walked out to the main part of the store and headed to the coffee corner. I liked to call it that because it had two well-worn overstuffed chairs and a simple coffee station for customers to enjoy a cup while browsing. Nothing fancy. Just a home-style coffee maker with pods, that awful powdered creamer, and the pink stuff for sweetener.

We fixed ourselves a cup and waited for Dad to finish ringing up two young women at the register who’d come in searching for fantasy romance. I’d helped Dad understand the many sub-genres of romance, and he beamed as the young women thanked him for his help. He smiled in satisfaction as they left, but when he looked at me, the smile dimmed. Mom and I stepped over to the register area with a cup of coffee for him too.

“That’s always the best part, you know?” He took the cup from Mom, but set it down without drinking. “Helping people find the perfect book.”

“Or ten,” I added.

“Yeah.” Clearing his throat, his expression sobered. “I guess your mom told you we might retire early. We’re looking at other locations, but costs in this area are…problematic.”

“We’d have to win the lottery,” Mom said bluntly. The door opened with a jangle of bells, and as several people came in, she smiled at us. “I’ll go help them. You two talk.”

I put my hand on my dad’s. “Dad, don’t rush into anything, okay? Give me some time. Maybe I can think of something.”

“We won’t rush, pumpkin,” he said, smiling when I cringed at the nickname. “But we have to be realistic.”

I bit back a curse. I hadn’t told them about Derrick, not about how he was the asshole who’d bought the building or my arrangement with him. They’d be devastated if they knew what I was doing. Or furious. Or both.

“I know that, Dad. Just…don’t commit to anything, not yet.” I squeezed his hand, staring at him and trying to make him understand withoutsayinganything. “I’ll work something out. I…Dad, this store is a part of me. I can’t stand the thought of you and Mom giving it up. I’ll work something out, okay?”

His craggy face softened with a smile, his storm gray eyes affectionate as he looked at me.

A shadow fell over the counter, and we both looked up automatically.

I froze, my heart going to my throat.

Derrick stood there, and the glint in his eyes told me he’d been close enough to hear at least part of our conversation.

“Can I help you with anything, sir?” My dad fell into sales mode quickly.

I glared at Derrick.

“Actually, I’m just here to see my girlfriend.” Derrick’s green eyes met mine, an easy smile on his lips.

Shit.

Dad glanced at me, confusion on his face.

I barely managed not to growl. He hadn’t called me his girlfriend last night when we’d talked to his family. Hell, he and I hadn’t even talked about when we were going to start putting a label on what we were.

“Jess?” Dad asked.

“I’m not his girlfriend,” I said coolly, glaring at Derrick. “We’ve been out a couple of times—girlfriendis a bit premature.”

Derrick’s eyebrows went up but he didn’t say a word.

I stared hard, then glanced at my father. “Dad, this is Derrick.” Then with a saccharine smile, I said, “Please excuse us…I need to speak with myfriendfor a minute.”

I turned and stalked into the backroom, knowing Derrick would follow like he owned the place.

Because he did.

Asshole.

Girlfriend? My ass.

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