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Reid giggled beside me, her hand warm on my knee. “I’m so sorry, Hayden,” she said. “I couldn’t help it. Plus, now that it’s out in the open it’ll be easier.”

“How is it going to be easier?”

“You’ve at least acknowledged that you’re attracted to her,” Reid explained as if it was the simplest thing in the world. “Now you can do something about it so you can get back to business.”

“What the fuck do you mean ‘do something about it’?”

“Don’t be so dramatic, please,” she drawled. “I only meant that you should use this as an opportunity to work out those emotions you’ve kept locked up so tight.”

“Reid, she’s an employee,” I reminded her needlessly. “I’ve never let my business and my personal life overlap. I won’t start now.”

“I’m not asking you to do that,” Reid said calmly. “All I’m asking is that you stop treating this poor girl like Nat. They’re not the same, and Frankie deserves better than to be compared to someone she doesn’t even know.”

“I know, ugh,” I groaned. I buried my face in my hands, the weight of the truth pressing down on me. “I know she doesn’t deserve it and that’s not what I’m trying to do, okay?”

“Then what are you trying to do?”

“I want to make this store a success,” I said. “I want to prove that itcanbe a success without having to be stripped of its individuality. But it does need to change in order for that to happen.”

“Then why is it so important to you that she complies with everything?”

“It’s professional courtesy,” I insisted, hating the lie that leaped off my tongue. “I couldn’t imagine how I’d feel if someone bought H Corp and came in to turn everything I’d worked for on its head. Besides, as I told Marina, the real gem of that store is the family aspect. If I change that, their customers won’t be happy.”

“A professional courtesy,” Reid echoed, chewing the words over. “Tell me, is she somehow immune to the infamous Jones’ charm?”

“Could you stop?”

“Aha!” Reid cackled gleefully. “Oh my God, she really is! You have no effect on her and it’s eating away at you. Oh, this explainsso much.”

“What a wonderful friend you’re being right now,” I grouched, but Reid only laughed harder.

She pressed a hand over her mouth, trying and failing to smother the giggles bubbling up her throat. “I’m sorry,” she said, still stifling her chuckles. “It’s just that I never thought we’d get here. You have everyone wrapped around your finger in minutes. But this one pretty store manager has you stumped.”

“Yes, fine, she has me stumped. And I’m not happy about it.”

I hated to admit it, but there was no point in fighting this tiny particle of truth.

It was so much better than acknowledging the deeper aspect of it all.

“So, what?” she prompted. “You’re going to leave it at that? Come on, the Hayden I know would salivate at the challenge of it! Put on a pair of big girl pants and woo her already.”

I couldn’t help the laugh that slipped through my teeth. “You’re so full of it,” I told her. “I didn’t know I needed the pep talk but thank you for forcing it on me anyway.”

“Always.” She winked. “I know Cam is your best friend, but I’m also here for you. Alex and Taylor too but they’re out of town on business. So you’re stuck with me.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

A soft knock signaled Marina’s return, and she carried in two iced coffees despite the cappuccino cooling on my desk.

“You and Sophie are godsends,” Reid said. “I wouldn’t function without you two.”

Marina smiled.

“I still have a lot to learn,” she said shyly. “Sophie is the queen of organization I could only dream of being.”

“You’re excellent as you are,” I cut in, and Marina’s cheeks turned pink.

“Thank you.”