CHAPTER TWELVE
THAT’S MR. PRINCESS TO YOU
CASH
I inhale and hold it for a second. Then… “I haven’t told Carter about the health inspection.”
“What?! Why not?” she screeches. A glance around reveals Oscar and Kelsie watching us through the glass doors to Blue Bigfoot’s patio. They scatter as soon as they’re made.
“I thought you guys were partners,” Hollis continues as I guide her farther down the sidewalk and outside the scope of prying eyes. Miraculously, she doesn’t bite me.
“We are. It’s just… complicated.”
She absently pets Mango’s head, and the little traitor leans into her hand while she has a silent conversation with herself. This new evidence of multiple personalities is unsurprising. “Fine,” she bites out. “I guess your relationship with your brother is none of my business.”
“No, it’s not. Thank you for recognizing that,” I bite back with more aggression than I intended. “Now, if you’ll run along and wash my mom’s skunk, I’ll get back to the mess you made of my life’s work.”
Her lips twitch. “I’ll bet that’s a phrase you never thought you’d hear yourself say.”
I can’t resist the hint of a smile that breaks through in response before sanity rushes back.
“Look.” Her smile drops as well. “As much as I’d love to get out of your toxic splash zone, I can’t.”
“Oh? Already addicted to me?”
Hollis lifts a hand to cup her ear. “Sorry, did you just admit to being ‘a dick to me?’ Admitting your problem is the first step.”
“Leave.” I point to her door.
“This is my sidewalk!” She glares at me and then straightens until she’s a good inch taller. “I’m helping with your business issue if you want me to or not.”
“We don’t need your guilty conscience or your blood money.”
“I’m a dog groomer, you chowderhead, not a warlord with a diamond mine.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Not really.” She looks down her nose at me, which is impressive given our height difference. “You know I’ll bet Carter would be happy to accept my offer.” She moves to step around me, and I snake an arm out, grabbing her by the waist.
“Wait.”
“Yes?” She tilts her head, her hair sweeping her cheek and her tone sickly sweet.
“I’m not taking your money.” She may have me over a barrel, but I need to be crystal clear about this.
“I’m not offering it.”
“Then why are we still talking?” I should get a Nobel Peace Prize for not strangling her.
She shakes my arm off. “I was offering to help you with some marketing. You know, drum up a little extra business—earn some cash to throw at your problem.”
“What do you know about marketing?”
Her jaw drops like I just suggested she do her Christmas shopping at Dollar Tree. “How do you think I’m killing it here?”
I shrug. “I figured mommy and daddy bankrolled you.”
She purses her lips and mutters something about self-righteous dickheads before pasting on one of her saccharine-sweet smiles. “How much do you need to raise to make it go away?”
“20k. Minimum.” I’m curious to see how she reacts to that.
Her eyes go round. “What? Twenty thousand dollars?” She bites her lip, and my fingers twitch.
I need to keep my focus, so I stare her down. “I don’t think a bake sale is gonna cut it, princess.”
Hollis straightens again, that familiar defiance back in spades. “You’re on.”
“This is pointless. I don’t have time to waste.” My hands go to the back of my neck where a tension headache is forming.
But she leans in and pokes my chest, leaving a burn I can’t explain away. “Face it, princess. You’re stuck with me.”
This is possibly my greatest fear coming to life.
“And since you already mauled me in front of your brothers, no one will think it’s odd we’re spending time together.”
I get another of those fake-ass smiles before she traipses past me, the ding of her stupid bell signaling her departure.
“That’s Mr. Princess to you!” I shout to no one in particular. I’m beginning to lose it.