Page 19 of Love Story

“But what if it did, even though he was an asshole?”

“Fuck’s sake, Haider.He was a serial cheater who was married, had three different men in one county, and worst of all fucked one of your best friends over, remember?”I pressed a thumb to my chest.“Me.He fucked over me.”

Haider dipped his gaze as his tirade about what he should and shouldn’t do stopped dead.

“Shit, sorry, Sam.”He blinked back into the room and stared.“We promised we wouldn’t mention his name again.”

I shook my head.“As I just reminded you.”

“I’m the asshole.”He hugged me, then placed his sticky hands on my cheeks and pressed them so I likely resembled a chipmunk.“Forget him.He was no good for you.”

“Ihaveforgotten him.”

“He broke your heart.”

“He did not,” I said with a sigh.He had, but it hadn’t lasted long when I’d realized what an asshole he was, and then broken-heartedness had turned to anger fast.

“Well, his grand big-city ideas…” Haider stepped back, his hand squelching as it unstuck from my cheek.“I’m poo-pooing them.”

“Good.”

He clapped his hands.“There, poo-pooed.”Then, he grew serious.“I’m looking for a way to make… no… I’m overthinking this, aren’t I?”

I smirked.“Maybe a little.You’ve never been afraid to push boundaries before.What’s different now?”

He sighed again, his shoulders slumping.“It’s different because… I don’t know.Maybe because this place matters.I want to get it right.Not just for me, but for the guys working here and for my Mamie.”

There he was, the Haider I knew—big-hearted, passionate, and overthinking everything because he cared so damn much.

I shook my head, pushing off the counter and clapping a hand on his shoulder.“You’ve got this.Trust your gut.And if you’re worried, let me try it.I’m no city snob, but I know good candy when I taste it.”

That earned me a small smile, the tension in his face easing.“You’d better be honest,” he said, picking up the containers and setting them aside.“I’m not wasting a batch of caramel on fake praise.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I said, crossing my arms again.“So, how are things?Selling lots?”

“Business is booming,” he deadpanned.

“Cool.”

There were a lot of unspoken comments in that exchange.It wasn’t me asking Haider outright if he had money worries—that wasn’t how we worked—but I offered my support.He knew I was here, no matter what, and I hoped that was enough for now.

I glanced at the clock on the wall and winced.“I wish I could stay and watch,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck.“I’ve got to get back to the farm.There’s sap to check on, and I promised Dad I’d help with the lines today.”

He waved a hand at me as though it was no big deal.“No worries.Come back later.I’ll have a finished sample for you to try.”

“Looking forward to it,” I said, pausing before I turned toward the door.“Hey… really… is everything okay?Business good?”

Haider smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes, the kind of smile that told me he was holding something back.“Yeah, sure,” he said.“It’s all good.”

I frowned but didn’t press.If he wasn’t ready to talk, I wouldn’t force it.Haider was stubborn as hell, and pushing him now would make him dig his heels in.

“All right,” I said instead, keeping my tone light.“I’ll see you later.Don’t burn the caramel.”

He rolled his eyes at that, but the smile on his face softened.“Go check your sap, farmer boy.”

I snorted, shaking my head as I headed for the door.

“Sam?”

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