Page 61

Her cool expression slipped, revealing a sliver of surprise.

“Why?” she demanded, and I remembered the last time she’d asked me that.

For a brief moment I was back in that bathroom, her bubblegum-flavored lips hovering inches away from my own. I shook myself free of the wild need and focused on the buttons on the shirt.

Three on her collar, I noted, counting each one to keep myself grounded.Two unbuttoned and five left buttoned.

“Because I want to take your role as store manager a little further,” I began, lacing my fingers together on the table in front of me. “You have your own visions for the store and I want to incorporate them wherever possible. I’d also like your input on active changes that are being discussed, so that we can reach an amicable agreement before the store becomes collateral.”

“And I had to catch a cab at six in the morning for you to tell me that?” she deadpanned, and I shook my head, biting down a smile.

Always so defiant. A living spit-fire. I couldn’t deny that she made it look sexy.

“We are meeting with a group of potential investors to hear their proposed stake in the store’s future,” I said. “You’ll be able to hear what they have to say and make a decision for yourself rather than hearing it from me.”

She scoffed and looked away. “You think I’d turn it down just because it’s coming from you?”

I lifted both brows. “You haven’t exactly been my biggest fan.” I shrugged, watching as she tensed. “From the moment I walked into the store that first day, you’ve been intent on crucifying me.”

“That’s not true,” she argued, but she lacked the conviction she needed to make me believe her.

“Either way,” I continued, ignoring the dent between her brows, “the door is open, although I’d prefer you to consider it as a request and not an invitation.”

I didn’t want her to think I was just trying to smooth things over. I wanted her involved, and I wanted her on my side. If I could only have one, I’d rather just have her involved.

The store wouldn’t survive without her.

She chewed the inside of her cheek and blew out a sigh through her nose. “What time is the meeting?”

The rush of relief almost knocked me on my ass. I quickly gathered myself enough to answer. “Ten minutes. Are you in?”

She shook her head and got to her feet. “Lead the way.”

“We’re projecting a huge increase in stock sales in the third quarter,” James said, his delivery animated and captivating. A front, obviously, because I’d warned him that Frankie would be a tough win.

I watched her out of the corner of my eye, paying close attention to the subtle downturn in her lips, or her fingernail digging into the notepad in front of her. If I was right, and for once a part of me hoped I wasn’t, Frankie was not happy.

At all.

“How do you plan on boosting stock sales?” she asked, and James blinked in surprise.

Admittedly, I did too.

We all looked at Frankie, a little shaken by her question.

It was the first time she’d said anything since she introduced herself.

“We’ve done careful research on the sales trends and buyer forecasts,” he explained, flipping the presentation to a slide of charts. “First, we intend to market individual products from Ivey’s and place them in supermarkets and value centers nationwide. When the interest and demand increase, we can go ahead with placing franchise stores strategically.”

“And what would these individual products be, exactly?” she asked. “We source most of our products from local suppliers. How do you propose to fly fresh produce across the country every day while remaining true to our promises as a company?”

Even though her argument was detrimental, I turned away to hide the smile threatening to expose me. I’d underestimated her. And worse, I was even more attracted to her when she cooly picked apart James’ entire proposal.

Business first, I reminded myself.

James blinked, looking a little out of his depth.

“We take our values very seriously,” Frankie continued, undeterred by James’ stunned silence. “And ensuring that our community is served well is a priority. We need the suppliers we currently work with the same way they need us. We’re trying to improve the community, Mr. Carlisle, not profit from it.”