Page 55 of Beaches, Bagels & Babes
“I don’t give a damn how my love life looks to anyone,” Candace snapped. She was not in the mood to play polite princess with a slimeball. “I did what my uncle asked. Ed Cando should be happy until he sees the bill. Now, I don’t care if you do or don’t mind, I’ve had a long day, so I’m going home.”
Since the man propped himself up on her driver’s door, Candace went for the passenger side. Lamarka charged around and blocked her path.
“I’ll bet you have,” he continued in a suggestive drawl. “You’ve been busy.”
Candace froze, bolt straight. Instinct made her shift her keys between her knuckles. She retorted, “I’m trying to get my life back in order. You’d be busy too.”
A smile cocked Lamarka’s thick moustache. He mocked, “It’s a shame about that career hiccup. Funny how that happens to difficult little girls, isn’t it? Then, they come running back home to daddy–oruncle, in this case–to save them.”
“You don’t know me.”
“That’s hurtful. Without me expediting the process for your guardianship paperwork, who knows how long you would have been in the system after your grandparents gave up on you. I know you better than just about anyone else. So, I’ll give you a piece of advice: be careful.”
“I haven’t done anything wrong,” Candace argued. But even she heard the waver in her voice.
“Fibbing is for children. You want to be a big girl, don’t you? That means taking responsibility.”
“I am,” Candace growled. “I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes, and I’m sure I’ll make some more. But I’m doing mybest.”
“Is that so?”
The man leaned into her space. One hand pressed over the door to prevent her from opening it, and the other hooked casually to his belt. The scent of pungent aftershave and sweat made her head pound.
“Doing your best for who, exactly? Your uncle is a generous man. Even after you turned your back on him, the man who raised you when your own father failed, he welcomed you back with open arms. Don’t test his patience too much… and don’t get in his way.”
There was some awful, ugly insinuation behind the look Lamarka gave Candace. Despite the warm late-spring air, his regard chilled her to her core. She felt herself shrinking under the man’s threat, but tried to hold her ground.
“I’m helping my friend, that’s all.”
“I hear you,” Lamarka soothed. “But it’s not good for the resume to cling to a sinking ship, is it? Some businesses are meant to end up at the bottom of the bay.”
Candace did not want to dignify the words with a reply, and Larmarka seemed content to let the metaphor hang. He shrugged.
“Best luck, Candy. When you’re ready to be good, let us know. Otherwise… There’s a lot more to lose than a silly career.”
With that, Lamarka stalked off into the darkness. Candace was able to hold her sobs in just long enough to get her car started and on the road.
Chapter 14
Daisy
Candace called out sick the next day.
Talking to her on the phone, Daisy thought she sounded convincing. The woman was good at playing a part, after all.
It was for the best. Whatever the truth was, today called for some space.
If Daisy could stop hating Candace, it would be so much easier. Then, though, she would hate herself for giving in. Maybe if she pushed Candace enough, the problem would solve itself.
Eventually, Candace would leave like everyone else. Why not speed up the process? Because Daisy knew, deep down, she needed her
—and not just as a business partner.
The shift dragged on as usual. Customers came and went, buying the bombs Daisy had made just the daybefore with Candace. She had to force herself not to grimace as she handed off a baggie of peanut butter bombs to a boy and his mom. Norman showing up towards the end of her shift was her one bright spot, and, even then, he pouted that Candace was not working.
“You’re stuck with me, old man. Don’t look so disappointed.”
He told her in a prodding tone, “Things have been a lot more lively around here since she started coming around.Youseem a lot more lively. She’s a gem, that one.”
