Once Upon A Half-Time 2(116)

Like she had to ask. Like she hadn’t already figured it out.

“I told you. I’m getting revenge on the son of a bitch who hurt you.”

“How?”

I didn’t answer. Josie stepped before me, preventing me from leaving.

“Maddox…how?”

What I should have done before the bastard tried to ruin her.

“I’m going to find Nolan, and I’m going to kill him.”





7





Josie





Saint Christie wasn’t a dangerous town, but in the past year, I’d dealt with arsonists who ruined lives, villains who threatened to kill, and heroes who vowed to murder.

This was what happened when people were denied desserts. Chocolate made everyone happy—cookies, cakes, ice creams, candies. Give a person a sweet in both hands and they couldn’t hold a weapon. My new motto. World peace and spun sugar.

Nolan emailed, asking for a second chance to talk with me. He chose the location—one of Saint Christie’s little bistros. It was the nicer of the two, though some in the town insisted the local Subway shouldn’t count as an artisan restaurant.

No way was I actually eating with him, but Nolan ordered a salad for me before I arrived. He waved me to my seat, grinning as though he weren’t the one responsible for my lost store, love, and life.

“Thanks for coming, Josie,” he said. “I hope I’m not inconveniencing you.”

I didn’t answer. He knew my schedule. Part-time work at the newspaper was the best I could get. Apparently, lunch on the city’s tab was a perk of being a mayor. Nolan ordered us iced tea. I sipped my water instead, my own form of silent protest. It wasn’t very effective.

“Josie, I want to apologize for my behavior a few days ago. I lost my temper, and it was…a stressful moment while I was organizing the campaign. Your cookies were the hit of the event.”

Usually cookie complements won me over. Not today. I said nothing. He expected it.

Or he preferred it.

At least we’d be done with this quickly and quietly, before Maddox knew I snuck out to lunch with the man he planned to kill.

I wasn’t doing Nolan any favors. He didn’t deserve my protection, but I wasn’t losing Maddox to any more jail time. I refused to compromise the only thing I wanted more than my store, my life, or another night with Maddox.

Justice.

I wanted Nolan to live, to face the judge, and to suffer, humiliated and ashamed, as the newspaper published his crimes to the entirety of the town.

He slid the folder across the table. His eyebrows were blonde, but thick. They gave him that insistent look as I delayed opening the offer.

“It’s generous.” Nolan grew impatient. “Please.”

I flipped the pages open and read through the appraisals. Then I eyed the sales number.

“This is more than the land is worth,” I said.

“It’s the same amount I offered you the night you lost the store.”

I closed the folder. “I don’t remember that night.”

He nodded. “I do. You looked lovely.”

Creeper. “I’m not interested, no matter how good an offer for a vacant lot.”

“I know it’s hard to part with the property, but…just take as long as you need to consider it.”

Ten seconds did it. I counted them silently. “No.”

“This deal would be in your best interests, Josie.”

“How would you know what’s in my best interests?”

“Because I know the kind of girl you are.” He smiled like it’d make a damn difference. “You’re too sweet for this world. Wholesome. I know you’ve been…led down the wrong path, and you’ve done some things you will regret in time—”

“What will I regret?”

“You’re so innocent, even after your…experiences with a man like Maddox.”

Nolan had an odd obsession with my bedroom, and an even worse fixation on the only man I ever invited inside.

“We’re done here,” I said.

“You don’t understand the world.” Nolan’s voice hardened. “It isn’t all chocolates and gumdrops.”

Maddox used to say the same thing, and I wasn’t about to be condescended for it.

“This world is built on hard work and sacrifice.” I shook, but it was frustration that claimed me, not fear. “This world is nights spent baking until three AM just to make a twenty dollar profit the next morning. It’s inventory and accounting, chiseling sugar from the walls and floor, health inspections and permits.”

“Josie—”

“It’s donating cake after cake in the hopes that just one person might recommend me to their friends. It’s taking a loss because you can’t sacrifice quality. It’s losing opportunities because the family business is more important than your own personal goals.” I stared him down. “Don’t you dare patronize me, not when you’ve never worked a hard day in your life, Mayor.”