Bidding on the Bachelor Page 17

  She glanced back at Victoria’s Attic. “They’re my only regular client. I know that’s small potatoes compared to what you can do here.”

  Ah, he understood now. Plus, he hadn’t told her the best part yet. “Your work is not small potatoes in any scenario. I had thought about the ladies’ nights. I offered Victoria a lease on a different location. A better location, actually.”

  “You did?” She reached for his hands again, hope springing up in her eyes.

  He nodded. “Turns out, she’s ready to retire. I’m really sorry about that, Car.”

  “Well, you tried, at least. I’m sure I’ll find other regulars.”

  His heart rate picked up at the opportunity. “I know you will. In fact, I might be able to help with that.”

  She smiled. “You’re going to throw a party every Friday and hire me to cater it?” Her smile faded. “Actually, that sounds exactly like something you would do. I think that kind of investment might be more than my non-super-serious-relationship partner should have to endure on my behalf.”

  “I have a better idea. I want you to run the café.” He gently turned her shoulders so she was staring at the building. “You would have total control. You pick the name, set the hours, the prices, everything. Plus, there’s enough room to have a full working kitchen. You can run your catering business out of this location.”

  She spun back to him. “Are you serious, Jasp? Like really serious?”

  He held his breath. “Yep.”

  Carissa was quiet for a long time as myriad emotions crossed her face. Her brain looked like it was running at full capacity. Finally, a huge grin lit up her face. “Jasper, ohmigod!”

  She threw herself into his arms and kissed every inch of his face she could find. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I won’t let you down. Ohmigod,” she repeated. “Would I really have full control?”

  “Absolutely. I know even less about catering and cafés than I know about bookstores. And I know I said you could name it yourself, but I do have an idea.”

  She paused. “You do?”

  “Make this an extension of your catering company. I know you wanted to add photos of some of your food on your website. This would be a real-life sample of what Save the Day Catering can do. The Save the Day Café,” he finished, gesturing grandly at the building.

  Her lips pursed as she considered. “You know, I actually like that. And while breakfast food is always appealing, Bayside already has The Brewside—”

  “Exactly,” Jasper interrupted. “That’s why I was thinking you should stick to the lunchtime crowd. We don’t have many lunch places.”

  “Well, that’s something to think about.”

  His excitement grew. “And you could even get a van and make local deliveries. I know a great company that can help with that.”

  She held her hands up. “Whoa there, tiger. Let’s just give me a second to take this all in.”

  He backed off. “Of course. Sorry. So,” he said, offering her his best grin. “You’re not mad that I took away your regular client?”

  “I think you’ve more than made up for it.” She kissed him soundly. “Now I have so many ideas in my head. Wow, my own café.”

  “Let’s go grab dinner and celebrate,” he said.

  Jasper couldn’t feel any happier. Finally, he’d come up with a business deal all on his own. Something different from his parents and an out-of-the-box concept for Dumont Incorporated that would be good for the bottom line and for Bayside.

  Not to mention, he was able to help Carissa in the process. Show her that he was very different from the carefree, party-loving boy from high school. Proving that he’d worked his butt off all of these years.

  He was good enough.

  “There are so many decisions to make,” Carissa said. “I can’t wait to start making lists and coming up with ideas.”

  As they walked back to the car, he added, “I have a ton of suggestions for you. I’ve already called in some favors and lined up a couple meetings for you.”

  Jasper was so thrilled she’d gone for this idea that he missed her frown.

  * * *

  Carissa stared at her laptop, mouth hanging open, as she read over the Bayside Blogger’s latest column.

  Golden boy Jasper Dumont is opening a bookstore with a café. And who is going to be running this café, you ask? Shocker! His girlfriend, the recently returned Carissa Blackwell. Guess Carissa has moved from one man to another in record time. Not that I blame her. I’d love to be taken care of by Jasper Dumont, too...

  She shut the lid of her laptop and pursed her lips. What did the Bayside Blogger mean by that?

  She wasn’t moving from one man to another. Although the ink had barely dried on her divorce papers and she was in a relationship with Jasper. And now they were going to be working together, too.

  But she’d work her butt off to make this business succeed. In turn, Jasper would turn a good profit. Needing a pep talk, Carissa reminded herself that she had majored in business at Northwestern. And she was already well on her way to setting up her own catering company. She could do this. Jasper or no Jasper.

  Besides, she had to admit she liked having a partner. Someone to bounce thoughts and ideas off. Of course, sometimes she did wish Jasper would tone it down a tad. As she was quickly learning, he could get a little too enthusiastic at times. Maybe that eagerness manifested in a bit of a controlling way, but the café was going to be hers. Jasper was only helping.

  Then, why did she get a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach every time she thought about it?

  “You look like you’re deep in thought,” Elle said, breaking into Carissa’s thoughts as she took a seat at the table in The Brewside where Carissa currently had papers, notebooks, her computer and two empty coffee cups spread out.

  “Yes, no.” Carissa shook her head. “It’s nothing. Just a lot of details. What’s going on?”

  Elle looked great. She was wearing a light green dress that brought out her equally green eyes. Her brown hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail and her skin was glowing. Ah, to be in love.

  “Taking a break from the gallery. I needed caffeine.” Tony called out her name. “And there it is.” Elle grabbed her drink and returned to the table. “What’s all this?”

  “Just ideas about the Save the Day Café. I’m meeting Jasper in a little bit to go over some things.”

  “I do love that name.” Elle smiled.

  “Me, too. Although it was actually Jasper’s idea.”

  “You two have been working hard the last two weeks.”

  “What can I say? Jasper works fast. Demolition on the building happens next week.”

  “Wow, that is fast. How is it working with him?”

  “Fine, I guess.”

  “You guess?”

  Carissa couldn’t stop her thoughts from returning to the last line of the Bayside Blogger’s recent column. I’d love to be taken care of by Jasper Dumont, too.

  That’s not what this was. Right? It was a business arrangement. A business arrangement that he’d given to her without so much as a second thought. A business arrangement organized by her boyfriend.

  She met Elle’s curious gaze. There was a twinkle in her eye that was unmistakable. Why did people in love always want everyone else to be in love, too?

  “What’s with you today?” Carissa asked, ignoring Elle’s original question. She pointed at her instead. “I can’t put my finger on it but something is definitely different.”

  A coy grin spread across Elle’s face. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She touched her cheek. “I’m exactly the same as I was yesterday.” She flipped her hand around.

  “You are being so weird...” Carissa trailed off when the light caught the large diamond ring on Elle
’s finger. As soon as Carissa realized what she was looking at, Elle’s smile became even brighter. If that was possible.

  “Ohmigod, Elle.” Even Carissa could hear the fluttery tone of her voice. “You’re engaged!”

  “Cam proposed last night.” Elle’s dimples winked as she thrust her hand forward. Carissa got a better look at the round diamond flanked by two pear-shaped emeralds set in what appeared to be a vintage band.

  “This is gorgeous,” Carissa squealed.

  Elle studied the ring herself. “Cam said the emeralds reminded him of my eyes.”

  Carissa’s heart gave a little flutter. “Did you have any idea?”

  “None.” Elle sat back. “I mean, we’d sort of danced around the topic. We spent the weekend at his cabin. We’d just finished dinner and were watching the sun set over the lake. I didn’t even realize it, but next thing I know, he’s down on one knee.”

  “Oh, Elle, I’m so happy for you guys.” And she was. Elle and Cam were the perfect couple in Carissa’s opinion. After their initial rocky reunion, Carissa and Cam had spent some quality time together, thanks to Jasper and Elle. She realized Cam only wanted the best for his little brother.

  “It was so romantic. He asked my dad and everything. We told his parents this morning.”

  “I bet Mrs. Dumont was beside herself with happiness.”

  Elle laughed. “I think she already has the entire wedding planned. Plus, I heard her mention grandchildren as we were leaving. So watch out.”

  Carissa tilted her head. “For what?”

  Elle extended a finger in Carissa’s direction. “You’re next.”

  “Next for...” Oh. She finally caught on to Elle’s meaning. “I just got divorced, Elle. I have no plans to remarry in the immediate future.”

  Elle waved a hand. “I know that. But you and Jasper are really moving forward with gusto.” She indicated all the papers on the table. “You’re even working together.”

  Carissa’s pulse picked up. “We’re not working together exactly. I mean, I guess we are in the beginning phase.”

  “Who would have imagined all of this when you returned to Bayside?”

  “Right.” Her palms were sweating. She wiped them on her jeans. Who would have thought that when she returned to Bayside seeking her independence she would have jumped right back into a relationship with her high school boyfriend and accepted a job from him?

  “You okay, Car?” Elle’s eyes held worry.

  Carissa felt horrible. This was Elle’s day. She didn’t need to steal her thunder with the dark thoughts circulating in her head. She forced a smile. A smile she really didn’t feel on the inside.

  “I’m fine. Just tired. And blissfully happy for you. We should celebrate.”

  “I haven’t told Riley yet, so no celebrations until I do. And mum’s the word.”

  Carissa pretended to lock her lips and Elle giggled.

  “I have to get back to the gallery. But I’m glad I ran into you. Cam’s telling Jasper the news now so next time you see him, tell him he’ll make a lovely flower girl in the wedding.”

  Despite the anxiety Carissa was suddenly feeling, she smiled. “Will do.”

  An hour later, Carissa was seated in the waiting room outside Jasper’s office. His assistant, Sherry, made sure she had a bottle of water.

  “He’ll just be about five minutes longer. The conference call he’s on ran late,” Sherry said.

  “No problem. I’ll just play around on my phone.” Carissa grabbed her cell out of her purse.

  She scanned through her emails but she wasn’t really giving them her undivided attention. Instead, she couldn’t stop thinking about, well, everything. Elle engaged, Jasper, the café, her independence, moving to Bayside, Mrs. Dumont wanting grandkids, her ex. Everything was a huge jumble.

  As she clicked from email to email, she wound up on the Bayside Blogger’s site again. “Damn gossip,” Carissa said under her breath.

  “What was that?” Sherry asked.

  “Nothing. Sorry.”

  Embarrassed, Carissa glued her eyes to the screen as she perused another article. No mention of Elle and Cam’s engagement yet. That was good news.

  There was an item about Tony from The Brewside. Apparently, he’d gone on a date last night. Carissa kept scanning until she froze. Two mentions in one day. New record. She refrained from rolling her eyes and read the item instead.

  Remember when the Dumont caterer ran out of the end-of-summer party last month? Carissa Blackwell helpfully stepped in, beginning her new career as Bayside’s favorite caterer. And we’ve all enjoyed her culinary masterpieces since. Well, I’ve just learned that it was no coincidence. Jasper Dumont may have had a hand in getting his high school love the gig...

  Carissa stared at the screen. She had no idea what to say or even how to feel at this new development.

  How did Jasper have a hand in that night? Jasper was a good guy. Maybe the best she knew. But to set up that opportunity for her, well, it did reek of control.

  Carissa searched her memory. The caterer had had a family emergency that night. How in the world could Jasper have orchestrated that? It was impossible.

  Only nothing was impossible for a Dumont.

  If the Blogger was right and Jasper meddled in her business then everything she’d been working so hard for hadn’t been her own doing. She hadn’t shaped her future. Jasper had. For the second time today, her palms began to sweat.

  “Carissa,” Sherry called. “Mr. Dumont will see you now.”

  With a heavy heart, Carissa rose and walked into Jasper’s office.

  * * *

  Jasper loosened his tie. He’d already shed his jacket. He’d been looking forward to this meeting with Carissa all day. Before he could get to it, he’d been bombarded with meetings and conference calls. And one very happy lunch with his brother.

  Carissa walked in looking sinfully amazing in tight jeans, a red blouse and a black blazer. Her hair was pulled back, revealing her long neck and accentuating her big gray eyes.

  He crossed to her. “Hey, babe. Have you heard the news yet?”

  She glanced down at the phone she was holding in a death grip. “Uh, yeah.”

  “Isn’t it awesome?”

  She met his eyes with confusion. “Awesome?” Then her face quickly changed, softened. “Oh, do you mean the news about your future sister-in-law?” Her normal smile finally surfaced.

  “I had no idea Cam was planning that. He kept it under lock and key.”

  “Are you happy?”

  He was beyond ecstatic. It had been a big year for his brother and seeing him with Elle left no doubt that he’d found his soul mate. “More than I can say. Words are inadequate.”

  “I’m thrilled for them.” Her smile faded. “Jasp, I have to talk to you about something.” She held out her phone.

  Curious, he took it from her. He quickly read over the Bayside Blogger’s article, clicked the phone off and looked Carissa in the eye.

  “Is this true?” she asked, taking the phone and shoving it in her purse. “Did you really have a hand in me helping at your mother’s party?”

  He considered for a moment. She was never supposed to find out about that. No one was. Which didn’t sound great when he put it that way. But he’d only been trying to help her.

  Now was the time he needed to come clean. “Yes, it’s true.”

  She deflated, slipping into one of the chairs around a small table in the corner of his office.

  “How?” she asked. “I thought there had been a family emergency.”

  “There had. Only not a super bad one. Jasmine, the chef, found out her daughter broke her arm. I was snagging snacks in the kitchen when she took the call. She said her husband was there and she would work the party
first and then leave at the first chance.”

  “But you convinced her to go early.”

  He nodded. “Yep.”

  “Jasper, what were you thinking? What if I had been late to the party? What if I hadn’t stepped up to fill in that night? Your mother’s party would have been ruined.”

  He followed her example and took a seat across from her. “I had complete faith in you. I still do.”

  Any remaining anger drained from her face. She reached out and cupped his cheek. “Thank you for that. But Jasp, you can’t keep creating opportunities for me. That’s not right.”

  “It was nothing. Just one night.”

  Her hand fell. “What about this café? Be honest. Did you do all of that for me, too?”

  “No,” he said adamantly, and meant it. “I really think this is a good addition to the town. Maybe I bucked tradition and good business practice by going straight to you for the café.” He offered his best smile. “But you’re just so damn good. You deserve this.”

  She bit her lip. “I haven’t earned it.”

  “You will.”

  He watched as she wiped her palms on her legs. “That’s a lot of pressure, Jasp. Plus, you have to let me do this myself. My way.”

  He leaned forward. “I am. The café is yours.”

  She let out a small laugh. “You own it.”

  “But you’re running it. You make all the decisions. This is your baby.”

  Carissa frowned. “That’s all I want. To be independent. To take care of myself.” She cracked her knuckles. “In fact, I was thinking that maybe I could, I don’t know, invest some of my own money into the café.”

  He glanced up at her, surprise evident on his face. “Do you have money to invest?”

  “Not much,” she admitted. “But I did get a small settlement from the divorce. Because my catering business took off faster than anticipated and I’m not paying rent at my aunt’s cottage, I have a little to play with.”

  He nodded, apparently deep in thought. “Car, I don’t want you to waste your money.”

  “It wouldn’t be a waste. It would be an investment into our joint business.”