Page 24

“Hey, Bee. Did you have a good weekend?” my boss asked, cocking her head at me.

Damn.

Maeve could see my energy. Does it say ‘fucked into oblivion’?

“It was…” I considered lying for a moment. “It was great, actually. I spent it in Kincardie.” I blushed, probably a lovely beetroot red.

“In Kincardie? Oh my God, did you meet someone?” She bounced over, her cute nose all scrunched up.

“Yeah, I did.”

Why am I grinning?

“You remember Kjartan? The Orc who works for Struan Fox?”

“No way, Bee! You spent your weekend with that hot guy?”

“We’re sort of dating.” I bit my lip.

Don’t grin like you’re in love.

With a squeal, Maeve hugged me, her eyes all shiny with tears. “I’m so happy for you.”

“That bad, huh?”

“Aw, come on. If you could see how much you’re glowing... Don’t forget that I know that feeling.”

She sighed and fiddled with a golden band around her wrist. A gift from Taran.

“I need to show you something,” I said, interrupting her smiling soppily into the distance. “We had breakfast at a cafe in Kincardie. It’s around the corner from Kjartan’s flat.” The idea had fermented in my brain all weekend, and I just had to run it past her. Nothing might come of it but the worst thing that could happen was that Maeve said no.

I handed her my phone and showed her the sneaky pictures I had taken on our second morning there.

“That’s so cute. So much potential.” Maeve zoomed in.

“You can swipe. No dick pics around,” I told her, making her snort.

I’d put them in a separate folder. Nobody needed to see the lewd images of Kjartan I had for my spank bank. Stretched out under me, his chest covered in cum, and a feral expression on his face.

I sighed. Then I remembered Maeve.

“So, why I’m showing you this is because it closes at the end of the year. They didn’t find anyone to take over.”

And the idea that Maeve might buy it and then I could work there and be near Kjartan had taken hold of me so tightly I couldn’t let go again.

“You think it could be an addition to my portfolio? Turning Scales & Steam into a franchise?”

“Yes and no. The cafe is great. There are multiple larger businesses nearby, a metal mill, Primestone, smaller shops, and a bank is right next to it. And they get quite a bit of foot traffic.” She nodded, obviously impressed with my research. “But I don’t think we should turn this place into a franchise. Quickest way for something to lose its charm. It could be like a sister cafe for Scales.”

Maeve leaned back against the counter and swiped through the images again.

“It could be amazing. And you would be managing this place for me?” Her kind smile—and aura-reading abilities—made me blush.

“It’s probably a stupid idea, I…”

“Don’t say that, Bee. We both know you’re amazing and up for that challenge. And I get wanting to be near your person. I still feel bad for Taran having to take me to work every day.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t mind at all.”