Page 24 of Sweet Heart for the Bear

Focus, Horace.

“Um, I finished your website,” I say, a little too quickly.

“You did? Awesome! I’ll check it out right now, then I’ll bring you up something yummy to say thanks.”

Oh no.

Oh yes, my Bear chuffs.

Oh hell no.

Yummy. Nibble. Bite.

And there goes my cock.

Betrayal. Utter betrayal.

“Um, no need,” I say hastily, already hating myself for it. “I’m still pretty, um, full from earlier, but you can email or text me any questions you have, okay? Gotta run. Bye-bye.”

And before I can stop myself, I blurt it all out in one breath and slam the call ended button like my life depends on it.

I drop my phone onto the desk and drag my hands down my face.

What the actual hell is happening to me?

I don’t know, and I don’t like it. Not one bit. One thing is certain, I can’t be near that woman again.

Good thing I have plenty of work to keep me busy, right?

Chapter9

Carina

It’s been two weeks since we flung open the doors ofPizza Girls, and I am super proud to say—we’re totally crushing it.

Like full-on, dough-slinging, cheese-bubbling success.

We’ve got regulars. We’ve got raving Yelp reviews.

We’ve gotoneminor issue with our bank account that I refuse to acknowledge right now.

Because, in the grand scheme of things, everything is perfect!

Well. Sorta. Kinda.

Anyway.

“Carina?” Dina’s voice calls from the front as she steps inside, already untying her scarf and shaking out her hair like she’s about to take on a mob of hungry customers. “Mr. O’Doyle left a notice under the door today. I thought we paid the rent?”

Ugh. Landlord.

Why are you like this?

I snatch the letter from her and rip it open.

Yup. Another late notice.

I squeeze my eyes shut and inhale through my nose, counting to three like a normal, non-panicking business owner.

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