Page 9 of The Secret Heir Next Door

“The only child here is you. Maybe that’s why you think this place looks like pre-school. It’s where you belong. You’re rude, judgmental, and an elitist snob. Do not come into my store and insult me. You can leave. I don’t care if you own the damn building, I’ll have you removed.”

I smirk and shake my head. “Child? I’ll have you know…”

She steps out from behind the counter and gets up in my face.

“I will say it slower for you. I will not allow you to walk in here and insult me in my own shop. I will call the police right now and have you removed.”

“You’re cute. The police won’t arrest me.”

She reaches for her phone and starts dialing.

The last thing I need is for the cops to show up, and this becomes a public spectacle.

What on Earth are you doing right now anyway, Logan? You’re being ridiculous and stubborn.

“This has gotten out of hand,” I sigh as I step back. “I apologize for that, and my rudeness. Sometimes, I forget that not everyone is an employee, or used to my attitude.”

“I feel sorry for your employees.”

“I’m trying to be nice. Can you try to stop being snarky?”

She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms in front of her chest.

“I match the energy. Your mouth is apologizing, but your energy says something else, and it doesn’t lie.”

Again with that “energy” crap. What is she talking about?

“Are you going to start throwing crystals at me or something?”

She rolls her eyes again.

Why isthat so damn sexy?

“I wouldn’t waste the energy,” she sighs. “Are we done here?”

“Since you threw my coffee back in my face, I guess so,” I shrug as I turn around. “Next time, I’ll make sure to wear something less expensive.”

“There will be no next time. You’renotwelcome here.”

“You can’t ban me from being here. What if I want to buy something?”

“I don’t want your money. And Icanban you from being here.”

I turn around and start to walk out of the store, when something catches my eye, and a smell hits me.

Vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter. Peanut butter fudge. I can almost hear my grandmother’s laughter wrapping around me as I stare back at the display case.

Tears prick my eyes.

I haven’t thought about my grandma or the summers we spent together in the kitchen since she died three years ago.

Granny would be so disgusted with me right now. My behavior is uncalled for, especially to a woman who’s done nothing wrong.

I let out a sigh, drop my head, close my eyes, and try to get out of the CEO mindset. I turn back around.

“Listen, I apologize for my behavior. I admit I had a chip on my shoulder when I walked in here, and it wasn’t necessary. Can we start over?”

“I’m not going to be bullied into changing my store just because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed.”