by Ciara Knight
She relaxed a little, as if his drink told her he wasn’t such a bad guy. Her arms slipped down, her shoulders lowered from her ears, and an eyebrow quirked. “Never heard of cardamom. What is it?”
“It’s a spice,” he said with an air of superiority. Not because he wanted to put Stella in her place but because he found that always turned people away from asking more questions.
“Still don’t know it,” Stella said with a don’t-care-what-you-think-of-me tone. Good for her. He could respect a woman who didn’t try to be something she wasn’t. “I don’t like people digging into my business.”
“It’s part of the job. You share with me, I’ll show your business to my viewers, and you can retire early with the patrons who will flock to your garage.”
“Sure, I will.” She rested her elbows on her legs. “Tell me why you want my business instead of Jacqueline’s. It’s obvious you already had a problem with a garage in the past and you don’t want to work with me over Jacqueline, so why? It’s your show, your rules, right?”
“It’s difficult to explain, but I don’t actually make the rules. My viewers and superfans are the ones who dictate content, and they can be fickle. One second they love me; the next I’m the most worthless human on this planet. I’ve had a good ride so far, but I want to take this to the next level. Move out of Internet and into streaming. It’s the next logical step in my opinion.”
“Doesn’t sound so hard to explain. Makes sense.” Stella let down her hair and strung the band around her wrist. The dark waves flowed around her cheeks and neck. To his surprise, they looked soft and beautiful. A Juxtaposition to her abrasive nature.
“Why don’t I take you to dinner tonight and we can discuss this further?” A meal with an intriguing, dark-haired, strong woman could be the most excitement he’d had since arriving in Sugar Maple.
She laughed.
He drifted his gaze to check the woman who had her camera in her hand once more. “What’s so funny?”
“You taking me out on a date.”
Since when did any woman not jump at that chance? “Business dinner,” he said, but deep down, he did want to go out with her. He’d noticed her the first day he arrived, but then he and Jacqueline hit it off and Stella disappeared, except in passing on the street. He’d noticed her on more than one occasion if he was being honest with himself. He didn’t want a relationship, or even to date, but dinner would be acceptable.
Stella’s dark eyes sparkled like a kid on Halloween planning to play a trick instead of enjoying a treat. “I’m not cheap.”
“Name the best place in town.” Knox rested his heel on his other leg and watched the tough exterior of the proud Stella Frayser crumble. “I’m sure we can come to some arrangement. Everyone has a price.”
Her soft features hardened. “Thank you for stopping me from making a huge mistake. There has to be another way,” she mumbled but loud enough for him to hear. She stood, looking down her nose at him. “I don’t think you understand. I’m not like the other women you’re used to dealing with. Dangling the promise of fame in front of me won’t work. I’m not for sale.”
Four
Stella had a difficult time concentrating, despite early morning hours usually being her best time of day. Darn if she hadn’t wanted to go on that stupid date with Fame Hog. More likely, she just liked the idea of a date. How long had it been? For the briefest of moments, she’d allowed herself to envision a nice evening with an attractive man. And at this moment, she wished she had accepted, if for no other reason than to avoid a Fabulous Five intervention. “Girls’ night?” Stella buttoned up her garage overalls. “You’re insane. An awkward night of bonding between friends turned frenemies turned…whatever, doesn’t sound good to me.”
Felicia, the negotiator of their friend group, moved in with purpose. “If Carissa can forgive Jackie for stealing her fiancé from her a decade ago, certainly you can.”
“Ha. Carissa’s in an infatuation fog. She’d forgive the Grinch for stealing Christmas.”
Felicia didn’t sigh, argue, or reprimand. She did her mediator bit of listening, hearing, and reiterating what you already said. The girl was a saint. “I understand you want to protect Carissa and the rest of us, but Jackie isn’t trying to steal anything from anyone. She’s learned her lesson.”
“For now.” Stella rolled up her overall sleeves and sat on the cold garage floor. “I know we agreed to a truce between all of us, and I don’t actually mind seeing Jacqueline as much as I used to, but I’m not painting her nails or pretending we’re still the Fabulous Five from high school.”
“No one would expect that of you. I promise.” Felicia handed Stella a wrench, as if it were the only tool she could possibly need to fix a car.
Stella shook her head and pointed to the socket wrench. Then she slid under her 1957 Chevy, ignoring Felicia’s plea. The car needed more parts than she could afford. That’s why she’d never been able to finish restoring it, something she dreamed of doing. But it was just one more unattainable life goal.
“I think Carissa might have a big announcement. Don’t you want to be there? She’s your best friend.”
“Great. Wedding bells for my bestie and Dopey Drew.” The words were bitter, but not because Stella hated the guy. He was good enough and made Carissa happy, but how could Stella like the man who stole her best friend, leaving her alone in the world? Again.
Felicia knelt by the front wheel and leaned down to look under the car. The girl was too pretty and too put-together to be on a garage floor. Stella tightened the exhaust bolts, hoping Felicia would take the hint. “You know you haven’t lost her. She’s remaining here in Sugar Maple. You can still see her all the time.”
“Yeah, until she starts popping pups and stuff.”
Felicia lay down on her side, as if she could force Stella to break her concentration. The girl had stunning, piercing blue eyes, a mesmerizing contrast to her dark hair. Stella had always thought the people who had teased Felicia for being from a black father and white mother were stupid or jealous. The girl wasn’t just pretty; she was naturally beautiful and unique. “Don’t be like that. You should be happy for your friend.”
“I’m happy for her.” Stella huffed, as if Felicia were intruding on her hours of work piling up on her. If only there was any truth to Stella having to work, she’d be in a much better mood. She slid out from under the car and stood, wiping her hands on a rag, hoping to stall long enough to find the right words.
Felicia studied the oil stain on the floor as if it was a psychological inkblot test. “I know you don’t believe in happily ever afters. How could you, after your mother and father ran off and your father returned, only to steal everything, including your love.”
Her words sent a rush of stinging fluid through Stella’s veins. “Enough, Dr. Felicia. No head-shrinking me. I can’t afford you.”
Felicia smiled, her nonthreatening, I’ve-got-you warm smile that usually threw Stella off guard, but not today. “Then join us tonight. We’ll have a great time.” Felicia propped up on her elbow but didn’t stand, as if she knew Stella would retreat back under the car at any moment.
Stella had to think fast. “I would, but I was invited to dinner.” Lies. She never told them, but that one slipped out. It wasn’t technically a lie, though. She had been invited to dinner. Felicia didn’t need to know she’d turned Knox down. The man was too full of himself. He and Jackie were perfect for each other. No way he’d ever stick around a grease pit like this or her.
Felicia shot up from the ground and stood like a guppy out of water.
“Men do find me attractive, you know.” Stella hated herself for actually considering the date. For the briefest of moments, she allowed herself to imagine the handsome, charismatic man who had drawn her attention the minute he’d sauntered into town being date worthy. Perhaps it was because she was date deprived.
Stella wiped down the socket wrench and set it on the chipped black counter. The one her fathe
r had hit with a sledgehammer before telling her grandfather he was worthless and he was leaving. And on the way out, he’d looked over his shoulder and said, “And since you’re such a great father figure, you can keep Stella.” Those words stung as much today as they did all those years ago.
Felicia’s mouth snapped shut. She flipped her hair over her shoulder and closed in on Stella as if to interrogate her until she cracked. “Who?”
Uh-oh. She was in trouble now. “What?”
“Who’re you going to dinner with?” Felicia asked. Her shining, probing, scarier-than-a-nun’s gaze probed for answers.
Stella tossed the rag down and bolted to the corner of the garage to her grandfather’s six-foot-tall toolbox and rummaged for something. What, she didn’t know. It didn’t matter, as long as she didn’t have to face Felicia another minute or she’d cave.
“Stella Frayser, do you have a date? I mean, with someone you like?”
“Is it really so impossible to imagine that someone would want to go out with me?” Stella opened and then closed a drawer and then opened another one.
“No, more like impossible that you would agree. You don’t date.”
“I’ve dated.”
“When—2012?” Felicia’s footsteps tapped up behind Stella, causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand at attention.
She needed to find a quick route out of this conversation before she crashed and burned. She forced a casualness to her voice. “I hope you guys have a great time. I’ll catch you all on the next girls’ night.”
“No way. I’m not leaving until you spill the nuts and bolts.” Felicia’s foot tap, tap, tapped.
“Nuts and bolts?” Stella stood on the footstool and opened the top lid of the toolbox but dared a quick glance over her shoulder.
Felicia shrugged. “I’m trying to speak car.”
Stella shook her head and analyzed the screwdrivers. “You need to study the vernacular better.”
“Don’t change the subject.” Felicia moved in faster than a Lotus attacking a corner. “I’m not going to let you tell me a lie so that you can avoid girl’s night. You can accuse me of anything you want, but I know you, Stella. You’ll do whatever it takes to get out of spending the evening with Jacqueline and all of us because you think it’ll be a waste of time. But I’m asking you to do this for Carissa. For me. Give our Fabulous Five another chance. Stop running away from those who care about you.”
“I’m not a coward who runs from things. I told you, I can’t,” Stella said with a little less authority in her voice. Great. If she didn’t figure out something in a minute, she’d be getting her hair braided by Judas Jackie in an hour. Felicia had a gift for convincing you to do the right thing, even if you didn’t like it.
“Right, because you’re going to dinner tonight. With whom?” Felicia’s foot tapped again.
Stella closed the lid and climbed off the stepstool. “No. I’m not an open book for this town. You’ll go blab to the rest of the girls.”
Felicia’s brows furrowed, and she tilted her head in that less than cordial way she did when she was really mad. “You know me better than that. If you really have dinner plans with someone, you can tell me who. If you don’t, then you’re coming tonight.” She crossed her arms and popped her hip out, taking the I’m-going-to-win-this-argument stance.
Stella felt like she was driving a car with bald tires on black ice. Like her abuelo had taught her, she analyzed all the options, but she’d run out of turns to take in this conversation.
“I’m afraid she can’t.” A deep, sultry, movie star voice echoed through the tall-ceilinged bay. “I asked Stella to dinner tonight. I apologize if I’ve ruined any of your plans.” Knox Brevard strolled into the center of Stella’s garage and saved her from a night of torture, but at what price? No, she wouldn’t play this game.
“Listen, I—”
“No, I’m sorry. I should’ve believed you.” Felicia backed away, running into the lift handle. She cringed and rubbed her back but recovered and shuffled toward the door. “I’ll let the girls know that you had plans tonight. Don’t worry, I get it now. I won’t say a word.”
“Wait. No. It’s business. It’s not a date.”
Felicia disappeared with the door slamming shut behind her. Why hadn’t Knox made a loud entrance like that? Then she would’ve been prepared to deal with him.
He walked up behind her and slung his arm over her shoulders. “She who doth protest too much…”
Five
There was a hint of spring in the air, as if to promise that this venture wouldn’t be the epic fail Knox expected it to be. The woman didn’t like him for whatever reason, and he needed to convince her to do this show if he wanted to work with a real television network. What was Drew thinking, making this deal?
He wasn’t. Not since Carissa entered his life.
Perhaps if he spent some time with Stella, he’d figure out how to win her over. Not for himself but for the show.
He couldn’t deny that the girl would film well for the segment. Not an obvious Jacqueline, sophisticated type, but Stella looked adorable in her overalls. Not beautiful like a girl he’d have on his arm for photo ops or his fans would think he’d lost his mind, but she definitely had a way about her that intrigued him.
Tonight, he needed to put on the charm to get her talking. That always worked. Once he knew more about her, he’d be able to figure out another angle. Perhaps something more sensational than an old, dirty garage.
He found himself in the center of town eyeing the various businesses. None of them looked like a decent place to take Stella.
An older couple passed by with a southern greeting. He’d learned to wave back or it would be considered rude. Strange how people in the south felt the need to connect each time they saw one another. He snagged his phone and searched for nice restaurants near him. After scrolling through page after page and not finding anything useful, he decided a local would be a better source. The bakery still overflowed with people thanks to his show, and the café would be full of patrons, too. He needed to get to work on figuring out how to persuade Stella to do the show.
He spotted Davey, the town elder who had convinced Drew to tar and southernize himself to win Carissa over. How his friend was suckered into covering himself with maple syrup and posting notes on himself in front of the entire town was insane. All because of a crazy, made-up town legend. Nope, Davey wasn’t the man for the job. He needed a woman’s suggestion anyway.
Jacqueline’s shop looked empty, and he needed to smooth things over with her. After all, she had helped him navigate around when he had first arrived. She was kind in her own way, and they understood each other.
But would she even let him in the door? The florist appeared open, so he made a quick stop and purchased some flowers and then sauntered over to Jacqueline’s shop. To his surprise, there wasn’t one patron inside.
He eyed the clothing: professional, flattering, vibrant colors. Why wasn’t this place filled with customers?
“I’m not sure I have anything that’ll fit you.” Jacqueline abandoned the steamer near the back corner, where she was working on pressing a garment, and approached.
“Hi, there. I brought these for you. Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady, not that they can compare.” He winked.
She ate it up. The smile on her face told him he’d chosen well with the bright colors and oversize bouquet. This girl liked things to be flashy and noticed. He got her, making life easier around her. Why couldn’t Stella fit that mold?
“Well, I guess I can let you in to the shop.” She took the flowers and smelled them before heading to the counter in the back.
“These clothes are beautiful. The drawings don’t do them justice. I know you don’t believe me, but I tried to do your shop next.”
“I know. Ms. Horton came by to explain what was going on. She did a pity buy to smooth things over, but I doubt she’ll ever wear what she purchased.” Jacqueline sighed. An u
nappreciated, failed business kind of sigh.
“That’s because these women in this town don’t know real fashion.”
“Neither did New York.” Jacqueline retrieved a large vase from a cabinet behind her and removed the green paper and plastic wrapping from the flowers, cut the stems, and arranged them in the glass vase so they were even more beautiful than before.
“I thought you chose to return here to mend some sort of old rift between you and the girls.” Knox leaned over the counter, hoping to turn the conversation down memory lane to get some sort of lead.
“Yeah, well, that’s partly true. Anyway, I’ll figure something out. I always do,” she said with a faux enthusiasm he saw through.
“I really am sorry.”
She straightened and pushed her long, beautiful red hair behind her shoulders. “I’ve got a plan; don’t worry about me. I’m a winner, remember?”
“You are; I have no doubt.” Knox patted her arm in that flirtatious way that always made her smile. “The girl who makes this town a little more sophisticated and a little brighter.”
“Ditto.” She crumpled the remnants of wrapping and placed it in the trash.
Knox eyed the merchandise in the store. “Hey, Lori’s birthday is coming up. Would you do me a favor and pick something out for me and send it to her? But, ah, tell her I picked it out.” He chuckled. “For some reason, she always gets upset when I tell her to go buy herself something for her birthday. She says I need to pick it out.” He shrugged. “I don’t get it, because if I did she’d return whatever I chose.”
“Women like to believe a man knows them well enough to pick out the perfect gift. That being said, I prefer to avoid the drama and pick it out myself.” She rounded the counter and hip bumped him. “So are you going to tell me why you’re really here? Let me guess… You need help dealing with Stella.”
“Actually, now that you mention it. I just need a restaurant to take her to so that we can come up with a plan. I need a nice place that will catch her off guard so that I can get her talking. If I’m going to convince her to do the show, I need more information. It’s the only way I can continue working to help the town and your businesses.” His words were empty, but Jacqueline needed hope right now, not the bitter truth. He’d already given that to her, and she didn’t want it.
