Page 24 of The Jilted Lovers Club
“Don’t bother, it’s not for sale,” a woman shouts from across the store. I turn, then groan when I see who the voice belongs to. Good old Bernice Lahoma. Judging by her position behind the counter, this is also her store.
“Of course this is Bernie’s shop,” I mutter. “I forgot she owns the whole town.” Seeing her in Lock & Key is a punch to the gut. I’m already in love with this store, but I don’t want to give Bernie any business with the way she treated me.
“Not thewholetown,” Grace says. “I mean, she inherited a lot of the shops here. But she’s let go of a few businesses in recent years. All she has left now is the Lahoma Hotel, Lock & Key, and Charred Steakhouse.”
“Oh, that’s all?” I scoff, side-eyeing Bernie who seems intent on staring me down until I leave. I turn my back to her.
“Well, she’s not getting any younger,” Grace says, oblivious to my sarcasm. She turns to Michael. “Say, didn’t she own The Till for a time?”
Michael nods. “She did for years, and then she sold it to the Felix family when they expressed interest.”
Things suddenly make sense. I realize now why Bernie has such a vendetta against me.
“I wonder why the Felixes didn’t just sell the shop back to Bernie,” I muse.
Michael raises an eyebrow. “That’s the question of the century.”
Everyone Has a Back Story
Ashton
Jordy’s a lot more talkative as we gather around the table for dinner at the Felix house. Gone is the woman who’d woken up hungover and a bit defeated this morning. Now, she’s animated and full of smiles, sharing details about the friends she made, the stores she visited, and how Timeless is really coming together.
It’s hard to hear. Her excitement is understandable, but it’s also a nail into the coffin of our decision to sell.
I hide my leftover guilt, however, leaning in as she continues sharing about her day.
“Once Michael realized he could spend my boss’s money, he became the biggest help,” she says. “Of course, Alexander is going to regret the free rein he gave me for expenses—especially after that pricey meal I charged last night.”
She shoots me a pointed look. I wince slightly but hold my ground.
“Hey, I didn’t even suggest you pay for everyone’s meals,” I protest. “That was all you.”
“And those magic Manhattans you insisted I try,” she counters, one eyebrow lifting meaningfully. “The ones that kept appearing in front of me while my dinner was mysteriously delayed.”
Fuck.
I flick a glance at Bec, who is now eyeing me with quiet judgment.
“What did you do?” she asks, her voice sharp with suspicion.
“I didn’t do anything.” I turn back to Jordy, who clearly doesn’t believe me. “Okay fine, I may have been aware that Griffin was pulling shenanigans last night. He, uh … kept forgetting to put your dinner order in.”
Jordy snorts. “Forgetting. Right.”
“And,” I add reluctantly, “he may have made your Manhattans doubles.”
Her eyes widen. “That ass!”
Then she slaps a hand over her mouth, glancing at Lottie, then Bec and Bob.Sorry, she mouths.
I shake my head. “Trust me, these two have heard me say worse. But seriously, I should’ve put a stop to it sooner. I saw what Griff was doing, and I let it go on way too long. I’m sorry.”
Jordy shrugs. “I should be more pissed,” she admits, “but I also should have known better than to drink anything in a town full of people who hate me.”
“Well,Idon’t hate you,” I say firmly.
“And neither do we, dear,” Bec adds. “We’re just sorry our town is so resistant to change. It’s not like we sold the whole town. It was just a store.”
