Page 18 of How Sweet It Is (Willow Shade Island #3)

A melia walks into my kitchen and folds her arms. “Someone is here to see you.”

“Micah?” I ask, pulling off my oven mitt and wondering why that would make Amelia grumpy.

“No. Lisa.”

My spit dries up. Lisa’s here? In my bakery? I grab my spatula and start taking the cookies off the baking sheet and depositing them onto a tray. “What does she want?”

“She didn’t say.”

I set my spatula down. Do I want to see Lisa? She made it clear the last time we spoke what she thought of me. I was all in on our relationship, and she really hurt me. I don’t think she broke up with the future doctor. Is she here to apologize?

I walk around Amelia and enter the bakery storefront. Lisa’s standing there at my display case, looking over my raspberry tarts. She looks good. Better than good. She looks like she’s walked off a movie set.

Kiera’s standing by the register, openly glowering at Lisa. I like her for that. Lisa’s gaze lifts to me, and she smiles, and my chest constricts. We’re not together, but my body remembers when we were.

“I heard you opened a bakery.” She arches one eyebrow, which is sexy on her.

I nod like an idiot. I have no words for her. Her smile is paralyzing me. “Yeah,” I force out. Brilliant.

She takes in my storefront. “It’s really adorable. Did you design it yourself?”

I shrug. “I mean, it was Loretta’s before, so I just kept her layout and updated everything.”

“You always talked about opening a bakery, but I didn’t think you’d actually do it.” She walks the length of my display case, one manicured finger trailing along the glass, her hips swaying.

I’m not sure what to say to that. Even if she’s here to apologize, I’m not sure I want to accept it. I sigh. “Well, I did.”

She looks up at me, her eyes wide. “Did Tobias help you out? Is he the investor?”

“No.” I straighten my spine. “This is all me.”

Amelia elbows me, and I realize she’s standing right next to me. I elbow her right back. It’s none of her business what I tell Lisa. She never thought I would amount to anything, and now I’m a millionaire. I kind of want to brag a little. Rub it in her face then run her out the door.

“Wow. What’s your secret? Did you win the lottery?” Her smile widens.

“No, I used my?—”

“Levi, I think I smell something burning.” Amelia shoves me into the kitchen and follows.

“Nothing’s in the oven.”

She glares at me. “Don’t tell that woman about your inheritance. Are you crazy?” she hisses.

“Why not? Lisa dumped me because she thought I’d never do anything worthwhile. I’m just proving her wrong.”

“I know women like her. If you tell her about the money, she’ll want you back.

But do you really want someone who doesn’t like you for who you are?

” Amelia pokes me in the chest, and I grab her finger.

I don’t let go, and zaps of electricity shoot over my skin.

I love how riled up Amelia is over Lisa coming in.

“Hey, Spreadsheet,” I say, my voice low. “Don’t get jealous. You won’t date me, so what do you care if I date Lisa again?”

She pokes me with her other finger, and I grab that one too.

“Can’t you be serious for one minute? Think about this. You shouldn’t tell people how much money you have in the bank.”

My thumbs graze her skin. It’s soft, and it’s doing funny things to my heart rate. “I showed you what’s in my bank.”

“I’m your accountant. That’s different. I’m not going to go blab it all over Willow Shade Island.”

I lean closer to her. “How do I know that?”

Amelia’s cheeks flush, and I love that look on her. She’s been distant with me ever since our dance, and I’ve backed off. But right now, I’m feeling a little daring. I want to push past the lines she’s drawn. See what she does.

“Accountants have a moral obligation to keep the confidentiality of their clients,” she says, stammering.

I love how flustered I can make her. I move closer to her ear. “You’re cute when you’re defending my finances.”

Amelia gasps and backs away from me, jerking her hands away. “Stop that. And I’m not your mother. You can tell Lisa whatever you want.”

I grin at her. “Relax. If you wanted me all to yourself, all you had to do was ask.”

Amelia rolls her eyes. “You’re impossible.” She walks past me and into the office before shutting the door. I chuckle, even though I’ll have to apologize later. It was worth seeing her so flustered.

I go back into the bakery sales floor. Kiera watches me closely as I walk around the counter.

Lisa’s jaw is set, and she shoots daggers at me with her eyes. “That was very rude.”

“You made it clear when you dumped me that I’m not the guy for you.”

Kiera snorts behind me, and I wonder if she’s grabbing popcorn.

Lisa’s mouth opens and closes a few times. “Well, you had dropped out of school. You were working at a two-bit diner, for heaven’s sake. I had no idea you were serious about making something out of your life. Where did you get the money to open this bakery?”

I step closer to her and brush her hair over her shoulder. She was always beautiful to me. But right now, all I see in her is ugliness. I lean close to her ear. “I’m worth millions now. Too bad you showed me your true colors before you dumped me. Now you’ll never have any of it.”

Lisa’s mouth drops. “Millions? How?”

“My inheritance. Tobias has been growing it with his investment knowledge.”

Lisa sucks in her breath.

“Yep. Fifty million smackeroos.” I rock back on my heels, thoroughly enjoying the shocked look on her face.

She pulls herself together quickly. “Levi, that’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

“Thanks. Be happy for me out there.” I turn her around and gently push her toward the door as Kiera snickers.

“Again with the rudeness.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Did I ruin your plan to come back and act nice to me?”

She huffs. “I just wanted to congratulate you for opening your bakery.”

“Thanks.” I open the door and guide her out of my bakery. “Have a great day.”

When I turn around, Amelia’s standing next to Kiera, a smirk on her face. Kiera slow claps. “Nicely done.”

I bow. “I never planned on letting her back in my life.”

“Good.” Amelia blushes. “I mean, I’m glad because I don’t think you two are suited for each other.”

I walk around the counter. “I don’t think we are either.”

“But I did love watching her face when you lied about your inheritance. That was funny.” Amelia places a hand on the counter. “Fifty million. Good one.”

I grin at her. “That wasn’t a lie. Most of my inheritance is still in the trust Levi set up for me.”