Page 15 of The Strawberry Patch Pancake House

‘I’m serious,’ she said, throwing up her hands. ‘Mr. Fancy-Pants-Chef is used to being in charge, used to getting what he wants from his employees … things can go sideways quickly.’

Iris opened her mouth to argue but then shut it. She thought about Archer’s disapproving looks, about the yells and crashes she heard coming from the kitchen at the diner, about his reminders to beprompt. Was Bex right? Was he the kind of guy who would also think he could take liberties with the nanny? Did he corner unsuspecting waitresses? Did he use his intimidating presence to get whatever he wanted from people?

And she would be living in his home.

There was no HR to report to if things got weird between them.

She shook herself. ‘I googled him. Not a single complaint or rumor or whistle blower claiming he ever did anything untoward. His record is spotless, Bex. It’s fine.’

‘Hmm,’ her cousin looked suspicious. ‘He’s spotless or he’s very good at not getting caught being a dirtbag.’

‘Bex…’

‘Just take this. It will make me feel better.’

‘What is this? Pepper spray?’

Bex grinned. ‘Yep. In case he gets fresh.’

‘Gets fresh? Bex, what are you, eighty-five?’

She shrugged. ‘I should probably stop attending your classes for seniors.’

‘Probably.’

‘But I like them.’

‘Me too. And don’t worry, if Archer Baer tries anything with me, you can lead the mob of angry senior ladies that will be sure to hunt him down.’

Bex’s smile grew. ‘Perfect.’

Iris tossed the pepper spray onto the bed, a little afraid to be holding it, and gave Bex a hug. ‘Thanks for looking out for me.’

‘Someone has to, now that your mom ran off to Florida.’

‘She didn’t run off. She relocated to be with…’

‘Gabriel,’ Bex said, grimly.

‘Right, Gabriel,’ Iris echoed. She hadn’t really bothered committing his name to memory. Gabriel was the latest in her mother’s long line of short-lived boyfriends, but he was the man currently making her mom happy, so who was she to judge? Her mother loved falling in love. She just wasn’t very good at staying in it. Iris and Bex had a bet on how long this one would last. Iris figured he’d be gone by the end of the year.

‘Do you think she’ll come back after they split?’ Bex asked, pulling away from their hug.

‘I don’t know. She likes the warm weather so I wouldn’t be surprised if she stays. How’s your mom?’

‘Same as ever.’ Bex’s mom, Iris’s Aunt Heather, had gone a completely different route, sworn off men and now lived in an ashram in Calabasas that Iris still wasn’t fully convinced wasn’t a cult.

‘Tell her I said hi.’

‘Will do.’

‘Thanks, Bex.’

‘Anything for my little cousin.’

‘I’m two months younger than you.’

‘Still counts.’ She grabbed her raincoat off the back of the chair and headed for the door. ‘Love you, bye!’