Page 7 of Hold Me Tight

Actually, broken is an understatement.

More like obliterated.

I push up from the stool, needing to move, to do something to shake off all this pent-up energy. “I just want to focus on Nora and the bakery. That’s it.”

And it’s more than enough.

Sloane opens her mouth to argue when the bell above the door chimes and Evelyn Kingston breezes in dressed like she’s about to walk in a fashion show. I’ve never met anyone like her before.

It was a shock when she stopped by a few months ago, wanting to know if I’d be willing to supply a Railers event with desserts. As tempting as it was to pounce on the opportunity, I had to think long and hard about the fact that it would once again place me in Zane’s orbit. In the end, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

She gives us both a smile.

“I passed your number along to Beau,” she says by way of greeting. “You can expect a call soon. He’s very interested in working with a local bakery, and your lemon iced shortbread was all he could talk about.”

Hope flickers in me like a candle catching flame.

“That’s amazing. Thank you,” I manage, trying to stay calm. Inside, I’m doing a little happy dance and praying this works out. I need this break more than she knows. It’s one that will keep the lights on a little longer and buy me time to catch up on some of the bills.

Maybe even save this place for Nora’s future.

The door swings open again, and I glance over as a tall man steps inside. He’s broad in the shoulders and fills out the expensive suit he’s wearing. His salt-and-pepper hair is perfectly in place, and confidence radiates off him in heavy waves.

It only takes a beat for recognition to slam into me.

Hugh Landry.

While Evelyn owns half of the Railers, Hugh owns the other part of the team.

Rina, one of our closest friends, also happens to be the Railers’ PR manager. She always has the inside scoop on what’s happening behind the scenes. Partly because it’s her job to keep the team out of trouble and partly because she’s nosy as hell. She’s confided more than once that the man has been a thorn in Evelyn’s side for over twenty years.

The older woman stiffens as her eyes narrow. Her easy disposition vanishes, replaced by razor-sharp tension. “Are you following me now?”

Hugh’s smile is smooth as silk but edged in steel. “Follow you? Why would I need to do that?” He steps farther inside the shop before glancing around the interior. “I was simply out stretching my legs and thought I’d grab a coffee before our eleven o’clock meeting.” Then, as if he can’t resist poking at her, he adds slyly, “Besides, why would I follow you when you woke up in my bed this morning?”

My jaw drops.

Um... Excuse me?

My brain stutters, scrambling to process what just came out of his mouth.

From everything I know about Evelyn, she can’t stand Hugh, and she doesn’t bother to hide it.

I must be missing something here. The Evelyn I know would rather set herself on fire than warm his sheets.

Then again, don’t they say the line between love and hate is a thin one?

Evelyn’s spine snaps straight as murder fills her eyes. “That’s not something we’re going to discuss right now,” she says through gritted teeth.

Holy shit.

Hugh’s grin deepens, as if he’s enjoying himself. “Oh, I don’t see the harm, darling. Everyone loves a good romance.”

Romance?

The word lands like a thunderclap in the middle of the bakery. Sloane’s eyebrows practically hit her hairline as she glances at me with wide eyes. Her lips twitch, as if she’s dying to fire off a million questions.

Can’t say I don’t feel the same.