by Nia Arthurs
The journalist narrowed his eyes at Joon. “You bumped into him on purpose!”
“Sorry, man. I didn’t see you there.” Joon slid the microchip into his pocket and bowed. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” The kid brushed his shirt down.
“Let’s go.” Tim glared at Joon Gi once before striding out of Sweet Treats.
When Joon turned around, he found Sky behind the counter, looking right at him.
He winked and mouthed, “I got you.”
She didn’t smile, but at least the look of hopelessness was gone. That was mostly due to Jo. The girl rallied around her, serving the customers who’d stuck around and consoling Sky every minute with a shoulder squeeze and a whispered encouragement.
Satisfied that Sky was being taken care of, Joon moved his attention to the kitchen.
It was time to deal with the inspector-sized problem.
Joon strode behind the counter where Jo and Sky were finishing up with the last customer.
“Thank you so much for believing in us.” Sky handed over a fragrant package of stuffed jacks. “Here’s an extra fried jack just for you.”
“Thanks, ma’am.” The guy shook his dreads so they danced like spider legs around his scruffy face. “I don’t care if your kitchen is nasty. As long as the food tastes good.”
Sky’s face tightened. “My kitchen is very clean—”
“What she means to say,” Jo grabbed Sky around the shoulders and hauled her back, “is thank you and have a nice day.”
The customer shot Sky an inquiring look but didn’t ask any more questions. After he left, the bakery was completely empty.
Save for the inspectors squirrelling in the kitchen.
One stood outside, guarding the door. He had light brown skin, a baldhead, and thick lips flattened into a full line. With shoulders like a line backer and a deadpan expression, Joon Gi figured the inspector had missed his calling as a bouncer.
“What happened between you and the reporters?” Jo asked.
Joon leaned closer so he could speak without being overheard. “I made sure they wouldn’t be able to report on Sweet Treats tonight. At least, not with any footage.”
“How’d you do that?” Sky asked.
“I stole this.” He whipped out the SD card he’d pocketed after bumping into the cameraman.
Sky covered her mouth and laughed.
Jo’s gaze softened. “That was cool, Kim. Even if it was illegal and thus proves my point that you’re a sketchy guy.”
“You’re welcome, Jo.”
She grunted in reply.
“What do we do about them?” Sky subtly jutted her chin toward the kitchen.
“I don’t know. Joon’s the one with all the experience when it comes to the feds.” Jo brushed her curly hair behind her ear and looked at him expectantly.
He narrowed his eyes. “I’ve never dealt with health inspectors before.”
“Are they allowed to lock themselves in like that?” Sky whispered. “What if they’re ruining my kitchen?”
“Maybe Joon can steal Mr. Muscles’ keys.” Jo nodded to the guard.
“We need helpful suggestions, Jo. Helpful.” Sky hissed.
“Sorry.”
“I could talk to him. It’s worth a try.” Joon shrugged.
“We’ll stay back here and call an ambulance if you need one,” Jo said.
“Ha, ha.” Joon shook his head and approached the guard.
He’d never admit it to Jo, but he was a little nervous. The guy was massive. Joon was pretty tall himself so looking up at someone was a strange experience.
“Can I help you?” Muscles growled.
“We’d like to enter the kitchen?”
“You can’t.”
“Why?”
“Protocol.”
“Do we at least get to know what they’re doing in there?”
“Testing to ensure the kitchen upholds the standards of the Health and Food Regulations.” He looked at Joon. “If you have any other questions, you need to wait until Director Grayson is finished.”
Muscles clamped his mouth shut.
That was fine. Joon didn’t need him to confirm what he already suspected.
Someone definitely called this in.
Only one person would want to attack Sweet Treats.
Hanna.
Joon’s nose flared, but he regained his composure. This was expected. In fact, it was a wonder she’d waited this long. Sky rejected Hanna last Sunday. Seven days of stewing and Hanna had drawn out the big guns.
I seriously underestimated that woman.
“What did he say?” Sky asked, her voice quivering. She settled her hand on the counter and peered into his eyes. “Did they tell you who called it in?”
“No.”
Jo soothed Sky’s back. “You have nothing to worry about. Your kitchen is spotless. I bet they won’t be able to find a thing.”
“I’ll call the Public Health Headquarters and check if this sort of search is common. Something doesn’t feel right.”
“There’s no need for that.” The kitchen door swung open and Grayson stepped through. He snapped his gloves off his tiny hands, the scratch of the rubber reverberating in the empty room.
Sky scrambled toward him.
Joon approached more slowly, eyeing the man up and down. “Do we finally get an explanation for your unexpected visit?”
“Everything checks out.” Grayson gestured to his men. “Pack it up, boys.”
The inspectors marched out of the shop as smoothly as they’d arrived.
Sky’s jaw dropped and she turned her head left and right. “What? That’s it? You barge in here and scare half my customers away over nothing?”
“We had to check out the threat.”
“Just you being here ruined my reputation!”
Grayson dismissed Sky with a bored look. “Thank you for your cooperation, Ms. Johnson. We’ll be in touch.”
Tears glistened in Sky’s eyes.
His chest pinched.
Someone made the wrong decision when they came after Sky, and for that, they would pay.
20
SKY STARED at the overflow of leftovers crushed into the display cases. Her gaze skittered to the wall and back to her stock. Unease slithered in her stomach, curling around her ribcage like a venomous snake.
“Where are the customers?” She moaned.
The silence was her only reply.
Jo had left already to work in her grandmother’s store, but the pitiful glances she’d sent Sky’s way before leaving hinted that her friend was aware of Sweet Treats’ dire straits.
Sighing loudly, Sky popped open the cash register and stared at the coins nestled inside. Even on her worst days, things hadn’t been as slow as this.
She heard the bell above the door jangle.
Her heart soared and she glanced up with a smile. “Hello and welcome to—” Joon’s face appeared and her enthusiasm dimmed. “Oh, it’s you.”
“What a warm welcome.”
“Sorry.” She rounded the counter and plopped into the metal chair across the room.
“So the good news is the gas station across the road agreed to sell your stock in the morning.”
She brightened. That was the first bit of good news she’d heard in over a week. After Grayson and his Public Health invasion, her sales had nose-dived. Sky had been losing hope. Even if she sold her goods to another store at a cut, at least she’d be getting them out.
“That’s great!”
“But,” Joon made a face, “they want proof that we passed the health exam.”
She screamed in frustration. “Grayson is dragging his foot on the score. Without an official statement that we passed the inspection, everyone will suspect that the kitchen is a hazard. It’s driving me nuts!”
“We’re doing everything we can.”
“It’s not enough.” Sky pulled out her phone and clicked to a page on Facebook. “I found these lovely comments
on Sweet Treat’s wall today. Could explain why I lost most of my regulars.”
Joon took the device and scanned the screen. His pale fingers reddened as he clenched the phone tight. His voice was tightly controlled when he told her, “These people don’t know what they’re talking about.”
“Bad reviews about my food normally wouldn’t hurt me, but that paired with the random inspection rammed a hole into the store. We’re sinking like the Titanic.”
“We can’t give up yet. Just hold on a little longer.”
“I’m tired, Joon.” Sky squeezed her eyes shut.
“This isn’t the time to lose your mojo.” He reached over and held her hand.
They’d been a lot more affectionate since the inspection day. Sky noticed the way Joon Gi kept finding little moments to touch her—graze his finger over her cheek, tug her hair, squeeze her shoulder. Sky reciprocated because their touching game couldn’t be one-sided.
Now, feeling his skin against hers was as natural as breathing air.
“I know you’re under a lot of pressure right now.” He leaned over, resting his elbows on the counter. “Let me help you.”
“What can you do?”
“I ran several successful businesses, remember?”
“Didn’t they fail?”
“I got arrested and filed for bankruptcy. Before then, I was on top of my game.”
She smirked. “I’m desperate.”
“Is that a yes?”
“I guess so.” She tilted her head and looked at him. “Don’t break any rules. I’d rather my store go down with honor than use tricks to stay afloat.”
“I’ve got you.” He grinned handsomely. Excitement shimmered in his piercing brown eyes. He liked the challenge her store presented. She could see it all over his face. What was a crisis for Sky was an opportunity for Joon Gi.
No wonder he’d been so successful before.
She scribbled on a napkin and handed it over. “This is the password to the laptop in the office. It has everything on it.”
“Thanks.” He slid the napkin over, a mischievous grin on his face. “I finally have my hands on the password. Feels like I should say a speech or something.”
“Very funny.” Sky pushed off the table.
Joon stood too. “Where are you going?”
“For a walk.”
“What about customers?”
“What customers?” She bent her neck and gestured to the empty space. “I’m tired of staring at these walls. They might be beautiful but if no one comes inside to see them, they have no purpose.”
“Is that how you feel?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah. That’s how I feel.”
“Then you should go for a walk.” He strode toward her, each step causing her heart to jack up a couple miles per hour. “After I give you this.”
“What?” She knew Joon was broke so whatever gift he had for her couldn’t be expensive.
Without another word, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his chest. Sky slid between his arms like she belonged there. Her ears pressed right up against his heartbeat. The steady rhythm lulled her to close her eyes. His scent wafted over her, melting all her bones.
She wound her arms around him and hugged him back. He was hard where she was soft. Joon’s arms were the shelter from the hurricane and Sky realized that she could stay there forever.
Joon didn’t hold on for long. A beat before the hug lingered, teasing of a deeper relationship between them, he released her.
She let go with a disappointed moan.
More. More.
Joon tapped her nose as if sensing her thoughts and lightly scolding her for the greed. “Go on, Boss. I’ll hold things down.”
“I’ll be back soon.”
“I’ll be here.” It was a promise. One that meant a lot to her.
As Sky strolled down the lane, she thought of Joon Gi and how accustomed she’d grown to seeing him in her house and her store. He was far too brilliant to stay down for long. She knew that. Soon enough, he’d get back on his feet and open another business. He’d make a profit and move out of her place.
I don’t want him to go.
The truth of it struck her like lightning. She wanted him near. All the time.
Is this love?
If it wasn’t love, it was definitely something close to it. She’d never felt this strongly for anyone in her life. Which was saying a lot. Sky had a habit of falling hard and fast. Loving someone more than they loved her was a pattern.
Was it happening all over again?
Joon hadn’t said anything about caring for her. The physical affection they’d shared lately could be born of pity rather than any romantic feelings. She had to get a grip before she ran away with the fantasies and made a fool of herself.
“Excuse me.”
Sky stopped in her tracks and glanced around. Her gaze caught on a handsome man with thick black hair brushed away from his high forehead, a slim nose and thin pink lips. His eyes were narrow and slightly tilted at the corners.
She’d seen those eyes before.
On Joon Gi.
Stop being racist, Sky. Not every Asian looks alike.
She cleared her throat and hiked her purse strap higher. Her past experience had made her wary of strangers she met on the street. Even ones that looked like they stepped out of the latest GQ magazine spread. “Can I help you?”
“You’re Sky Johnson, right?”
Her wariness jumped several meters. “And you are…?”
He held out a hand. “Kim Sun Gi. I’m Joon’s brother.”
“Really?” Her wariness burst into ashes, replaced by an irrational excitement. Joon never mentioned his family.
Sun Gi smiled charmingly. “Are you going to shake my hand or will you just leave me hanging?”
“Oh, of course.” She pumped his hand and gave him a once-over. Square jaw. Piercing eyes—just like his brother. Pressed white shirt. Black slacks. Shiny black shoes. The watch on his wrist glinted in the sunlight and she didn’t need to be an expert to know it was expensive.
She could see the family resemblance and yet Sun Gi had already established himself as a completely different person than his brother.
“What a coincidence. I was just leaving an appointment with my fiancée when I bumped into you.”
“You’re engaged?”
“To Hanna Park. Yes. Do you know her?”
“Hanna?” Sky’s eyes lit with recognition. Small world. “Yes, I do. Wow. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. Hanna’s told me a lot about you. She’s very… interested in your store’s success.”
“I’m not sure how much ‘success’ we’re having at the moment.”
“Oh?” He arched an eyebrow.
She laughed sheepishly. “But that’s not something I’d like to discuss right now.”
“Sky,” Sun Gi leaned closer, “can I ask you for a favor?”
“It depends on the favor.”
He laughed. “Touché. There’s a café nearby. Would you do me the honor of treating you to a cup of frozen coffee?”
Sky hesitated for a second. She didn’t know this guy from Adam and just because he was related to Joon didn’t make him a good person. Still, he seemed harmless enough, so she nodded and followed him into the store.
The scent of coffee hit them as soon as they walked in. Sun Gi ordered for her—a move that vaguely irritated Sky—and led her to the table. Already, she could tell that he was more self-absorbed than his brother.
Not a good look.
No wonder Hanna had seemed so frustrated about getting married to him.
“Sky.” Sun Gi tasted her name on his tongue. “Beautiful. Unique. Your parents had good taste in baby names.”
“Thanks.” She shrugged. “My dad chose the name.”
“Are you two close?”
“He died when I was little.” Uncomfortable, she pulled her hands into her lap and stared at the table.
�
��I’m sorry to hear that.” He cleared his throat. “My father died when I was in high school.”
“What?”
“Didn’t Joon tell you?”
“Joon doesn’t talk about his family much.” Or at all.
Sun Gi bobbed his head. “That makes sense. Of the two of us, he was the closest to our father. Those two had a special relationship.” He smiled but it was so fragile that she could see right through it. “Honestly, I was jealous of them.”
“I’m sure your father loved you very much.”
“He did. Just… not as much as Joon. I’ve spent my entire life trying to prove that was the wrong decision.” He dipped his head and chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I’m still working to gain the respect of a dead man.”
Unsure of what to say, Sky kept her mouth shut and dug her fingers in her palm. They’d both experienced loss, but at least Sun Gi had his mother and a close-knit Korean community to keep him sane.
All Sky had was Sweet Treats.
She ran her nail against the inside of her thumb and shifted nervously. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“It’s fine.” Sun Gi shook his head. “I didn’t invite you out to swap sob stories.”
Their drinks arrived.
Sun Gi took a moment to allow the waitress to set the cups down. She seemed to take extra care with his and lingered closely by his side of the table, wiping it down with a rag and sneaking peeks at him all the while.
Sun Gi accepted her attention with a subtle nod and a wink.
Sky took it all in with a bemused smirk.
When the waitress left, Sun Gi leaned forward. “Now about that favor.” He slid something over to her. “I’d like you to give this to my brother.”
“What is it?” Sky asked.
“Go ahead. Open up.”
Slowly, she lifted the flap and took out a plane ticket. “Destination Seoul, Korea,” she read aloud and fixed her gaze on Sun Gi. “Why would your brother need this?”
“Didn’t Joon tell you?”
Dread washed over her and she tightened her lips. “Tell me what?”
“He’s leaving Belize and never coming back.”
