Page 44 of Second Chances
“I’ll give Freddie a pass, but I’ll never forgive Logan for what he did.”
Megan stirred the mixture together and waited for Charlotte to continue, which she didn’t.
“And, are you going to tell me what he did?”
Charlotte seemed lost in another world, her eyes glassy as she stared out the window.
“Char.”
“Oh, what, sorry.” Charlotte snapped her gaze from the window and began flipping through her real estate listings. “No, that’s a long story for when we’ve got a few bottles of wine in front of us. Not a sunrise conversation.” Charlotte picked up her phone and started typing feverishly and then paused abruptly. “Megan, do me a favor, please.”
“Anything.”
“You can’t let Freddie know who I am. I’m just not ready yet.”
“Okay. But you are going to have to help me figure out how to explain to Josh that I’m not a rich real estate developer.”
“We’ll figure something out,” Charlotte murmured but seemed distracted.
The oven beeped as it reached its temperature and Megan slid the test batch of cookies in and started the timer. “I’m interviewing front of house staff today. Do you want to have any input on the resumes?”
“Nope. I trust your instincts. Sugar Peaks Café is your baby. I’ve got to go back to the city for a listing presentation for a mid-town Brownstone. I should be back for the weekend. We can talk about everything then.”
That reminded Megan, “Oh, yes. There’s something else I want to talk to you about – a potential business venture. A brewpub.”
“Ooh. On trend. I can’t wait to hear all about it. And those smell delicious. I hope that they’re on the menu.” Charlotte jumped off her stool and tried to pick a cookie off the sheet. Megan smacked her hand with the spoon.
“You’ve got to let them cool.”
“Save one for me then.” Charlotte gave Megan a hug, grabbed her handbag and was out the door.
Megan set the cookies on the cooling rack and went to shower. She had a long day and night ahead of her.
**
ARMED WITH FRESHLYbaked cookies and meringue tarts, Megan pulled up in front of the Sugar Peaks Café. The wrought iron sign she and Charlotte had picked out was being installed, and she walked into a flurry of activity inside. The drywall boards were all screwed on and the guys were mudding and taping. The appliances had been delivered and were sitting in the kitchen area under plastic to protect them from the construction dust. Boxes of hardwood flooring littered the floor. Charlotte had told her that it had to be onsite ahead of time to acclimatize to the humidity inside the shop.
“Those smell delicious.”
Megan recognized the voice behind her and the hair on her arms stood up as her body sensed how close J.J. was behind her. “The meringues are going to be Sugar Peak’s Café’s signature dessert.”
“How appropriate, they look like little mountain peaks.”
“By design,” Megan said and blushed. “Try one.”
Josh picked up one of the tarts and took a bite. “I think I just melted. Guys, you’ve gotta try these. Do you mind?” Josh asked Megan.
“Not at all, I brought them for everyone to sample.”
Josh took the plastic tub from Megan and the drywallers flocked around like seagulls. Murmurs of appreciation rippled through the room and Megan felt her chest swell with pride.
“As soon as you’re ready for the tables and benches I’ll be able to bring them in in pieces and assemble them for you. I just have a few finishing touches to do today,” Josh said and reached for another tart.
“That’s amazing. I can’t wait to see them in here.”
“Are we still on for cross country skiing tonight?”
“I was um, hoping you’d forgotten about that.” Megan grinned at Josh.
He smiled back, “Not a chance girl. You’re skiing or swimming tonight, and I think you already made your choice.”
“Alright, alright.” Megan couldn’t resist matching his smile. “What should I wear?”
Josh leaned in so close to Megan that she could feel his breath tickling her earlobe, “Your sexiest long underwear and snow pants.”
“Is that even a thing? Sexy long underwear?” she whispered back.
“Only if it’s on you.” Josh turned and walked away. “Good work, boys,” he shouted at the team of drywallers as he stepped out the front door.
Megan spent the rest of her day interviewing staff. She was glad to have something to keep her occupied otherwise she would’ve spent the day obsessing over what long underwear to wear, and how afraid she was of setting foot on skis.
