Page 100 of His Forgotten Colton Fiancee

How could he have kept such a drastic secret from her? She didn’t know what was real and what was not. Trusting her partner was important. How could they have any kind of relationship, let alone a marriage, if he lied?

A tinkling sounded from the storefront. West had installed a small silver bell to alerther of customers. At the thought of West, her throat closed up.

Quinn pasted a bright smile on her face and wiped her hands on a dish towel, then went to greet the client.

He lounged by the pastry case, but studied the room and not the treats inside the glass. Lanky, his hair slicked back, he didn’t look like a polished salesman.

“Hi. I’m Quinn Colton, owner of Good Eats. You’re Mr.Nestor?”

“Yeah.” His dark gaze crawled up and down her dress and widened at her belt. “Nice flashlight.”

Her smile was terse. “It’s a Taser. My boyfriend taught me how to use it for when I was alone.”

Ex-boyfriend, but Nestor didn’t need to know that.

“Good thinking. Is the order ready?”

He kept staring at her boldly. Quinn shifted her weight, uncomfortable with the scrutiny.She glanced at the sign West had installed, indicating the security cameras were operational and anyone entering the store would be recorded.

The cameras provided her a small amount of reassurance. That and the weapon.

“I received your deposit into my bank account, and I have the order ready. Do you need help loading it into your vehicle?”

“Nah.” The man handed her a check.

Rightamount, right date. Gooseflesh crawled over her bare arms. Something about the man nagged at her. With his skinny-fit chinos, short-sleeved plaid shirt and sneakers, he dressed too casually for an important corporate party.

Doused in cologne, the man couldn’t hide the fact that the stench of smoke clung to his clothing. Her nose wrinkled.

Scolding herself for judging—hey, the guy couldbe changing after delivering the dinner—she started for the kitchen.

Nestor followed her. Quinn ground to a halt.

“Do you mind if I see the kitchen? Always wanted to see what kind of industrial kitchen a vegan uses.”

Alone, with a stranger, in her kitchen? “I don’t think so...”

On the counter, her phone buzzed. Caller ID saidWest Brand.

Quinn ignored it. “I don’t allow clientsback there.”

Nestor sighed. “I really would like to see your setup. These clients of mine, they’re big in town and throw a lot of parties. Wife just turned vegan and I promised I’d check things out for them. Might mean more business for you.”

How could she turn down business? Austin’s voice sounded in her mind.We need the money, Quinn.

“This way.”

Inside the kitchen he lookedaround. “Very impressive.”

His gaze centered on the back door. Quinn walked over to make sure the door was open. Being locked inside with this, well, creep, gave her the willies. She withdrew her prized chef’s knife, began slicing the carrots left on the cutting board.

The man paled a little. “Nice blade.”

Quinn did not smile. “It comes in handy.”

Nestor pointed to the walk-incooler she’d had specially installed. “What’s that?”

Still holding the knife, Quinn went to the door, opened it. He peered inside. “Wow, lots of stuff here. Enough to feed an army.”