Mr. Fiancé(72)

“No rush,” I say, looking around the huge space. Two floors and a basement, with the upper floor being the former owner’s apartment and storage area. And Anthony was right, it was a steal. “I’ll get the contractors in here starting tomorrow though.”

“Of course, Mr. Steele,” the agent says. “If you want, I can give you the number of a guy I know who does good work.”

“I’d appreciate it. Martha, what do you think?”

Martha looks around. “It’s a great property, Oliver. If anything, it’s overkill for what you need.”

“About that,” I say, then look at the agent. “If you don’t mind?”

“Of course not,” the real estate agent says, taking my contracts and putting them in his briefcase. He takes out two sets of keys and hands them to me. “I had the locksmith make a backup set, just in case. Enjoy your new place, Mr. Steele.”

He leaves, and Martha gives me an inquisitive look. “What’s up?”

“I’ve got a change of plans,” I tell her. “I’m not using the first floor or the basement.”

Martha lifts an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“Follow me,” I say, walking down the stairs to the basement where the kitchen is. “Look at all that. What do you see?”

“About ten thousand dollars in renovations. Unless you want to make fried rice,” Martha says. “Why, what do you see?”

“I see a working kitchen, and I see people working here,” I reply, walking around. “Look at this, a working walk-in fridge, plenty of storage space, and lots of room to expand. And upstairs, that can be converted into your office.”

“My office? What about yours?” she asks. “You’re confusing the hell out of me.”

“Change of plans,” I repeat. “I’ll fill you in on the details, but I’m going to need you busting your ass for me over the next week. Then, Steele Security Solutions isn’t going to happen. Instead, I’ve got a new job for you.”

“What? And what are you going to be doing?” Martha asks. “You’ve got the world in your palm, Oliver. Steele Security Solutions has at least a half-dozen clients lined up. What’re you doing?”

The world in my palm. She’s right, I could have everything in the world. But the one thing I want isn’t here.

Yet.

“I’m not walking away,” I tell her, smiling. “Come on, I’ll tell you the details on the way to dinner. I’m buying.”





Chapter 27





Mindy





“I had to leave paradise to come back to this shit,” I mutter under my breath, looking around at the chaos of the Beangal’s Den. Two weeks back, and I’m missing the mansion already.

It’s not any busier or more chaotic than normal, the logical side of my mind insists. In fact, for a Saturday mid-morning, it’s slightly less insane than normal. The line’s not out the door, and if someone wanted a table, they could get one.

Still, the customers are driving me up a wall. Cassie’s doing better, but Sarah’s off today. I’ve got a new part-timer, a college girl named Nancy. She’s learning, but I’m too frustrated to be a very good mentor, manager, or leader to her right now. Hell, I can barely believe I’m keeping myself together.

“Hey! Where the hell is my coffee?” someone yells, and I look up to see the same lady from before. Great. Why’s she even coming back if she always seems to have a problem?

“Cassie, can you please?” I order, pointing in the customer’s direction. If I have to deal with her, I’m going to have to make sure the sharp knives are as far from me as humanly possible.

“On it, boss,” Cassie says, and I’m somewhat glad. She’s improving. Unfortunately for her, though, the bitch seems to be in a particularly foul mood.

“I just want my fucking coffee, not more excuses.”

That’s enough. I look up from the latte that I’m mixing and step over to the customer, patting Cassie on the shoulder. “Go finish that. Let me handle this, Cass.”

“Sure, boss.”

Cassie leaves, and I stare at the customer, who’s wearing the same faux fur trimming from last time. “Look, I told you last time that we don’t tolerate that sort of behavior here. Please stop with the swearing or you can leave.”

Sticking her nose in the air, she sniffs at me, not backing down. “This is three weeks in a row I’ve had a problem here. Last week, they couldn't even get my order right after writing it on the damn cup. Besides, I know who runs this place, and I’m tired of your bullshit. They serve better coffee on the other side of town.”