Page 9 of Beaches, Bagels & Babes

The temperature was, of course, worse in the stifling space.

Sweat started to bead at Daisy’s temple, captured by the bandana she wore.

The heat building inside her was not helped as she looked down at the too-close woman.

She noticed that Candace was wearing a dress today.

It was pink, Princess Peach Pink to be exact, and although it was still a tame, short-sleeved cut, it was far more revealing than her romper.

The woman had to work out. Daisy’s gaze traveled the sharp line of Candace’s neck, down to taut traps and defined collar bones. Micro-movements that tensed her muscles promised more beneath the distinctly feminine exterior. More muscle, more sleek curves contrasted by strong angles, more—

Daisy grimaced. She ripped off her bandana and mopped her brow.

“My bagels were so good you just had to come back, hm? Or is there something else you’re after?”

Confusion flashed over Candace’s features as the words registered. It was hard to tell if the implication made the woman flush because she had not stopped. Her fair skin was close to the same shade as her dress, and her chest thrummed with quick breaths.

Finally, she replied with a simple, “Yes.”

“Yes, and…?” Daisy pressed, and could not keep the suggestion from her tone. “I swear, Perry… I haven’t seen you since that night, and now you come barging back into my life like you own the place. Really, what gives?”

“I…”

Now, Candace definitely flushed redder. Daisy was starting to feel herself flush too, but not with embarrassment. Bitter resentment soured every thought.

Just like all those years ago, Candace Perry waltzed into Daisy’s life and demanded attention. She would coo and fawn, and be so damn lovable. Then she would leave, like every other customer and person, abandoning her to endless, lonely drifting. So, this time, Daisy would beat her to the punch.

Arms crossed, Daisy propped one flip-flopped foot on the edge of Candace’s seat, close to the woman’s thigh.

“Yeah,” she continued. “Then and now, you’re too chicken to say what you want, but too hooked to stay away.”

“You’re right. I was afraid, but I’m not anymore.”

“Uh-huh. I’d congratulate you, but growing a spine at thirty-three is a little pathetic.”

Hurt cracked Candace’s expression, so profound Daisy thought the woman would start weeping again. She did not. Instead, she rose to the challenge in Daisy’s voice—literally. On her feet, which practically brought them crashing into one another, she thrust the binder forward .

“W-what’s this?” Daisy had to try hard to keep the waver from her voice as Candace’s sweet lilac scent, tinged by a hint of heady sweat, washed over her. She took the binder if only to have a barrier between them.

“It’s how we’re going to turn things around at Bagel Bombs!, and beat my uncle.”

“Your uncle? He’s a shit landlord, but I manage fine.”

It was an obvious lie that Candace easily spotted. The woman reached around Daisy to leaf through the near-toppling stack of bills and blank employee pay slips.

“Is that so…?”

“Okay!”

Daisy growled, throwing herself as far away from Candace as she could get. Which was not much, considering there was a window behind her. Her back landed against the dusty glass with a smack. Candace seemed to take the hint and pulled back.

“Fine,” Daisy conceded. “Maybe things have been tough the last few years. Or more. But what makes you think I want your help? Why should I trust you?”

“Because you’re right. I love your bagel bombs.

Ever since that first one I had, the peanut butter one you were so nice to give me, I got them every time I could.

But I was a coward, and I never told you.

I let my fear of my uncle keep me from something I liked…

But I’ll be damned if I let him take it from me now. ”

Daisy blinked.

“I give up. You’ve lost me, Perry.”

Were they even talking about bagels anymore? Memory of a starlit beach… the cool, smooth sand that spilled over her feet contrasting with the wet, warm tongue exploring her own… Trembling hands that slipped under her tank top to touch—

Daisy swallowed hard. She watched that once-familiar tongue give an anxious swipe across Candace’s lips.

“He’s going to take it.”

Daisy exhaled a shaky breath, saying, “Just get to your point.”

“My uncle is going to use a clause in your lease agreement that gives him the ability to toss you out at the end of the season. If he has his way, Bagel Bombs! will be a fun pier car lot by this time next year.”

Daisy did not respond. Could not, as shocked numbness spread throughout her whole body.

At least it doused the discomforting tingle that had flared up alongside memories better left dead and buried.

The logical part of her brain, the one that looked at dwindling bank accounts and unpaid invoice piles, had known things were dire.

Perry had made vague and not so vague comments that indicated he wanted her gone.

But, with her lease locked for the next three years, she thought she had time.

If she kept her head down, kept working, she could hold on until…

She was not sure what she was even holding out for, but this was not how she expected things to go. In her silence, Candace continued.

“He and his friends think they own this town. Anyone with less money, or who isn’t a part of their little club, is fair game to fuck over. It’s never going to be enough, either. They won't stop until this whole town is ruined. I don’t want that to happen.”

“Oh? Is this how you’re going to save Bagel Bombs!?” Too aggressively, Daisy flipped open the binder. “You think you know a single thing about running a business? I’ve been doing this my whole life, I was born into it. There’s no way you—”

Daisy trailed off. She had not intended on looking.

However, she could not help it. There was real, genuine effort put into Candace’s proposal.

Cost projections based on comparable businesses, government tax rebates they might apply for, renovation mock-ups, and so much more.

There were even cute, breakfast-themed stickers for color-coding.

It was, damn herself for even thinking the word, impressive.

How the hell did she put this together so quickly?

As if she knew what Daisy was thinking, Candace explained, “This is my job. Er… was my job. I was technically an accountant, but my role was more specialized. I plan, and I’m da mn good at it.

At my firm, I learned everything I could about our clients’ businesses so they could stay in business.

I saw what made them fail and what made them succeed.

If you let me help you, Bagel Bombs! will have a fighting chance. Trust me.”

“Why should I?” The words came out quieter than Daisy meant to say. Weaker and betraying the fear she very much felt. “Last time you promised me something, you ended up leaving me high and dry.”

Literally.

Candace spun on her heel, and Daisy was sure she would run away just like last time. She did not. Instead, she retrieved her phone from her handbag and pulled up her banking app.

“Look,” she offered. “I’m broke. I need this to work as badly as you do.”

“So… What? I would be your boss?”

Frankly, Candace said, “No. Partners, if you’re comfortable with that. You would still own the business and make final decision on everything. But, on paper, I would be your partner and financial advisor.”

“I can barely pay you minimum wage.”

“And I can make that work. The one benefit of staying at the illustrious Comfort Clam Inn is the locked-in room rate.”

Daisy’s nose wrinkled. She was no posh posy, but everyone knew that motel was on the sprouted side of seedy.

“You’re staying in that dump? Doesn’t strike me like your kind of scene.”

Candace shrugged. “It’s not. But, like I said, I can make it work. Once the season is over, we can renegotiate based on how much profit I helped to generate.”

“You sound awfully confident there’ll be a profit.”

“I’m confident in your bagel bombs. I did my research.

Even without an online presence, people post about coming to this boardwalk specifically for Bagel Bombs!

. They say it’s the best, and they’re right.

So let me help you prove it. All we have to do is put this place out there more, and people will come. ”

Will they?

Daisy was not sure which she was more afraid of: that people would come, or that they would stay away. Both made her feel queasy.

“This is nuts. Maybe you have business experience pushing papers, but have you ever worked a job like this? Because if I’m paying you, you’re going to be behind the counter pulling your weight.”

Candace rolled her eyes. Still, Daisy could see a tightening in the woman’s posture.

“If a bored preteen can keep this place running, I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“I’m not teaching you how to mop.”

At that, Candace gave a mock huff. “I know how to use a mop. And how to balance a register. The cafe I worked at through undergrad would’ve fired me real fast if I didn’t.” Smiling, she added, “I’m not all that helpless.”

“No. Maybe not.”

Thick, swelling heat radiated around them. Still, both women faced each other coolly. Despite the impending news of doom, Daisy felt a surge of excitement—of something new.

Daisy asked, “Can I sleep on it?”

A flash of disappointment fell over Candace’s face. It was gone just as quickly, back to business.

“Of course. This is a big decision, I wouldn’t want to rush you. I included a standard partner contract in the binder, along with my contact information. If you have any questions or concerns, I’d be happy to discuss things more.”

“I’ll read it.”

Daisy was surprised that she was being honest. She would look through this grand business proposal of Candace Perry’s. Maybe, just maybe, she would consider it. If this was going to be her last summer running Bagel Bombs!, she might as well go out with a bang.

Plus, a signed, legal document that gave Daisy permission to boss around her former crush was dangerously appealing. Mental image of Candace on all fours scraping tile scum made Daisy feel smug… among other things.

“Well,” Candace exhaled. “I’ll be waiting.”

Candace turned to leave.

On impulse, Daisy reached past the woman and held the door closed. They both froze, looking at one another with bated breath.

“My bagels,” Daisy whispered. She scrubbed her short, bandana-dented locks, suddenly self-conscious. “You really think they’re good?”

Candace’s lips parted, then curved into the gentlest, most sincere smile.

“I don’t think that, I know it. And I want everyone else to know it, too. I won’t let my uncle run you out of business without a fight.”

Candace departed for real, then, leaving Daisy stupefied.

She should not, and did not want to care.

A gnawing, distrustful voice inside told her not to believe a word Candace said.

And yet, she did. Far more than she was capable of admitting.

The woman’s compliments burned in her ears.

It was not until Rio poked their head into the room minutes later that Daisy snapped out of her thoughts.

“So? What was that about? Is Princess Peach my new mom?”

Daisy opened her mouth to make a witty retort. She knew, though, that if she seemed defensive, it would only add fuel to their insufferable fire. And, if they ever suspected that Daisy had a past with Candace…

Shaking her head, Daisy gave Rio a noncommittal grunt. She offered the binder, warning, “She’s trouble.”

“Hm,” they mused, flipping through Candace’s proposal with an expression that showed escalating interest. “There’s bad trouble and good trouble. Both can be fun, and, girl, you need fun.”

Daisy wanted to argue, but again, she closed her trap.

“Yeah,” she answered after a beat. “We’ll see.”

The tide brought Candace Perry back into Daisy’s life. Now, it was her choice whether or not to toss the woman back in. Regardless of what she did with Candace, Daisy needed to read through her lease with Peter Perry, like, yesterday .

It was barely the beginning of the summer season, and it was already shaping up to be a blast. Daisy just needed to figure out which kind it would be.