Page 19 of Cakes for the Grump

It takes a silly amount of time to process what has been asked. And what I come up with isn’t eloquent.

“I mean—” I cough. “Ich?—”

Luke walks over to stand behind the kitchen island, our shoulders almost brushing. As if reminding me in the most dominant way possible,I approve your paychecks.

To Mr. Duncan, he says, “Of course she doesn’t believe that. She is here in my apartment willingly after all.”

“Correct,” I say. “I have not, in fact, been kidnapped.”

Coerced at times…yes. Kidnapped, not really.

Mr. Duncan looks between us. “So, what is the nature of your relationship?”

“I’m his—” I stop, wondering what to say.

Meal-prep chef plus hired baker after a bout of blackmail about a work visa and this illegal cake incidentseems like a wrong answer.

“We’re quite close,” Luke says, answering for us. He smiles down at me with an expression that would show fangs if he possessed such sharp incisors.

“Definitely in proximity,” I say, stepping subtly on his foot. “Can’t get closer than this.”

“If you called us dear friends—” says Luke.

“I wouldn’t. It’s more complicated than that.”

An arm goes behind my back. He pinches the center of it.

I smack his arm awayplayfully.

“Rita can produce a glowing character witness if anyone requires it,” promises Luke.

“But I’m not much of a writer or a public speaker.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, darling, you can speak and write magnificently—” Luke must spot my clenched jaw or has realized the endearment was a step too much. “When you want to,” he adds quickly.

Mr. Duncan laughs, the sound resounding off the kitchen cupboards. “Are you two always like this?”

Luke looks like he’s trying to calculate the most beneficial answer.

I opt for honesty. “I don’t know why, but yes. At least, so far.”

“Good. I’ll give you some advice,” says Mr. Duncan. “Ms. Singh is exactly the kind of person the white whale could react positively to. If she is there with you when you make contact with the family at the yearly conference, they might believe Luke Abbot is a better person than they suspected. Then maybe this merger isn’t completely impossible, but only ninety-five percent impossible.”

Merger.

When two companies combine into one.

That is what they are talking about.

The dots are connecting in my head.

Abbot Industries seeks to take over or be joined by a white whale. Is white whale a code-name for a seller? Or a buyer? Who wants to deal with Abbot Industries? Can anyone on this planet afford to?

“Although it’s a pity you are not his wife,” says Mr. Duncan to me. “That would sell the story much better.”

“Or we can bump up the offer,” argues Luke. “Money talks. It always has.”

“Not to the white whale,” says Mr. Duncan.