Chapter 23
I turned and peered around the corner. And sure enough, there he was, Derek, standing just outside the front entrance. He was peering in through the glass door, as if searching for activity inside.
It was early. We were still closed. But of course, that never stoppedhim, did it?
I glanced at the clock on the far wall. It was only nine-thirty. Even if Ididwant to talk to him, which I didn't, I couldn’t justify taking a break just yet. I said, "Maybe if we ignore him, he'll go away."
"Or maybe," Cassie said, "he'll pound on the glass 'til it breaks."
Was that a joke? Just in case, I tried to laugh, but it didn't come out quite right – not that it mattered, because soon, just like Cassie had predicted, Derek was banging ferociously on the glass.
I bit my lip. Cripes, maybe itwouldshatter.
Looking more irritated than ever, Cassie said, "Just so you know, if he breaks the door, I won't be the one paying for it."
Color rushed to my face. "Of course."
At something in my expression, she sighed. "I wasn't talking about you. I was talking about him." Under her breath, she added, "Ass-hat."
Choosing to believe she was referring to Derek, I said, "Do you want me to get rid of him?"
"From the looks of it, you'd better." Her mouth tightened. "And if you need to, grab the bat."
We kept a baseball bat behind the front counter. Although the thought of clubbing Derek was oddly satisfying, I skipped the bat and marched straight to the door.
When I pulled it open, he barged in and said, "What the hell is going on?"
From the back room, Cassie called out, "We're making cookies, dipshit!"
Derek stopped and looked around. From where he was standing, he couldn’t see Cassie, but he'd obviously heard her just fine. He lowered his voice. "Was she talking to me?"
Cassie called out again. "You see anyotherdipshits in the store?" Her head poked out from around the corner of the back room. "And just so you know, that door you were banging on? It was four-hundred bucks."
Derek frowned. "So?"
"So, you break it, you buy it." Without waiting for a response, she pulled back, disappearing, once again, into the prep area.
Derek turned and gave me a questioning look.
Was he expecting sympathy? If so, he was looking at the wrong person. "Listen," I said, "we've got a lot of work to do, so whatever you're gonna say, just say it and get it over with."
"Or what?" he said. "You'll tell me to fuck off again?"
From the back room, Cassie called out, "Ifshedoesn't,Iwill."
Derek turned and glowered in her general direction. "What'sherproblem?"
I didn't answer. Obviously, therewasa problem. Maybe the problem was me. But that was none of Derek's business.
I asked, "Why are you here?"
Now, he was glowering atme. "Well, I can't exactly go to your house, can I?"
Obviously, he meant because of Joel, who'd made it perfectly clear thathe'dbe the one dealing with Derek from now on, because he didn't want me stressing about it.
It was sweet, even if itwasa little overprotective.
"Well?" Derek demanded. "Don't you want to say something?"
