Chapter 9

Jordan flickedthrough the new inventory while humming under his breath. “Cool, you got some new metal in.”

He held up the Motorhead album with a Cheshire cat grin. “This is awesome. Thanks for giving me a heads-up.”

I chuckled. “I knew you’d want your fix.”

Jordan didn’t look like a metalhead. He had more of a book nerd vibe. Music was his only vice. The kid worked his ass off at college, studying 24/7 to double major in business and law.

And he did it to some banging music.

Jordan selected two more albums and set them on the checkout counter. Instead of pulling out his wallet to pay, he moved to the cozy armchair I’d set up near my desk and dropped into it.

“So, how are things going with the business? Did the article help?”

“Yeah, a little.” This week had been one of my best, with an uptick of my regulars, plus a few new customers stopping by to check out the store. It was more of a creek than a raging river of business, but I’d take it.

“Why the face?” Jordan asked.

I was grimacing. Couldn’t help it. The whole thing left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

“I didn’t know it would be such an attack piece. I just wanted to drum up some support for little businesses.”

“Yeah, I guess the best way to do that is to highlight the big guy about to step on them, right?”

“Maybe.” I didn’t want to dwell. It was done, for better or worse. I wasn’t sure the benefit was going to be long-lasting, but hopefully that meant any damage done to Fox’s reputation would also be short-lived. I wasn’t made for this cutthroat behavior.

But I hadn’t given Jordan the heads-up about those metal bands so we could talk business. I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened with Wash972 and our upcoming meeting.

“Hey, can I ask you something…personal?”

“If I can have one of those cookies.”

I’d purchased the Oreos with the pink-and-blue cream to take to my date with Wash972. I supposed the package didn’t have to be sealed. I opened it and handed one to Jordan.

He shoved it into his mouth and waved for me to talk.

“Um, I was just wondering if you’ve ever, like, questioned your sexuality.”

Jordan’s eyebrows flew up as he chewed. I shifted restlessly until he swallowed.

“I guess when I was younger. Doesn’t everybody?”

“I don’t think so. I never have before.”

“But you are now?”

“I don’t know.” I raked my hands through my hair. “It’s just that I’ve met this person online…”

“A guy?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know their gender. It’s kind of our thing. We haven’t shared any identifying details like that. We just…talk. It was never supposed to be anything more than that.”

“But I’m guessing it is.”

“Yeah. We sorta…flirted,” I said, because I didn’t want to get into the details about how I’d managed to sext with someone and still not figure out their gender. Clearly, I’d selfishly focused on myself. Something I’d like to rectify…assuming I could be attracted to Wash972 in person. And that was the question, wasn’t it?

I wasn’t a hugely superficial guy. I liked to think I could see beyond the surface. That personality and heart were important elements for me, too. But I didn’t know if that could apply to a man.

“So, you’re flirting with someone who might be a guy or might not,” Jordan said. “Why not just ask?”

“I don’t know. I guess I feel weird about asking after we already—”

“Already?”

Sexted and came together.

“Uh, agreed to meet.”

Jordan’s eyes went wide. “You’re going to meet, and you don’t even know if it’s a dude or not?”

I blew out a breath. “Yeah.”

Jordan tilted his head. “You know what I think?”

“No…”

“I think you’re curious,” he said. “Maybe you even want Wash972 to be a guy. Your relationships with women have been sort of lukewarm, haven’t they? I can’t even remember the last time you mentioned a girlfriend.”

I wrinkled my nose. “I haven’t had the best luck. That doesn’t mean I can magically change my sexuality to men.”

“No, but you’re open to the idea, right? The thought that you might have been chatting and flirting with a guy didn’t stop you from agreeing to meet up.”

I wet my lips. “Uh, yeah. I’m…intrigued, I guess. But also a little worried.”

Jordan nodded. “That’s fair.”

“I feel something for them. At least through a screen. But I don’t know how it’ll be in person.”

Jordan looked thoughtful. “You already have a connection. Maybe that’s what you really need for attraction? Your long-running relationships were back when you were in school, with people you knew a long time before you hooked up.”

“I guess that’s true.”

“There’s only one way to find out. When are you meeting? And how will you recognize each other?”

I tapped the cookies. “I’m bringing these. And Wash is bringing a novel. Pride and Prejudice.”

“Good reading taste,” Jordan said. “Wash is probably a woman, and this angsting you’re doing is for nothing.”

I laughed. “Probably. I’m going to get there and feel like an idiot.”

The door chimed, and Chase walked in. I tensed, unsure of what to expect from him. He was usually quick to charm, but he’d seemed shocked and disappointed that I’d put that article in motion.

My gut twisted at the memory.

“Who’s the hottie?” Jordan murmured under his breath.

I ignored him, my eyes glued to Chase. He looked immaculate in his tailored suit, and of course Jordan would think he was hot. On top of carefully styled dark hair, bright blue eyes, and a strong jaw, he exuded a confidence that couldn’t be faked.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He held up his hands. “Don’t worry. I come in peace.”

“Chase Fox?” Jordan guessed, gaze darting between us.

“I see my reputation precedes me.” Chase smiled crookedly. “Should my ears be burning? Are you saying sweet or evil things about me?”

“Neither.”

“Ah. Well, that’s too bad. I’m a slut for attention.”

I rolled my eyes. “Just tell me what you want.”

“So many things.” Chase braced a hip against the counter, and his gaze dropped to the package of Oreos. He blinked and licked his lips. “Maybe I want a cookie.”

“Those aren’t for you,” I said.

He raised an eyebrow. “Saving them for a special occasion?”

Shit, no way I wanted to tell Chase Fox why I bought those cookies. I shot a look at Jordan, and he quickly came to my rescue.

He picked up the package. “They’re mine.”

“Oh.” Chase sounded thrown. He eyed Jordan. “Do you own a store, by chance?”

“Uh, no.” Jordan stood. “Just a college student, and I’m running late for a study session. Catch you later, Austin?”

“Yeah.” I handed him the albums he wanted. “Take these on the house. Thanks for the talk.”

“No problem. You definitely made it worth my while.”

I watched him go—with my cookies. Damn. Now, I’d have to buy another package before my coffee date with Wash972.

“Okay, Chase, why are you really here?”

Chase turned and propped his elbows on the counter, leaning in toward me. “I’ve got a proposition for you. Something that could be good for both of us.”

“Just spit it out.”

“I never spit,” he said. “Just for the record.”

“Chase, I swear to—”

“Okay.” He straightened. “Time to get serious. I get it, Austin. When Fox moved in, you saw me as a threat. And I admit, I didn’t make the best impression. I should have introduced myself immediately when I came in with my niece. That’s my mistake. But I’m not here to run you or anyone else out of business. That’s not what I want.”

“Even if it’s good for your bottom line?”

“We all have a bottom line,” Chase said. “That doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice each other to reach it. We can raise each other up. Be colleagues.”

“I don’t know how that can work.”

“I have a few ideas for how we can cooperate. But to start with, how about a neighborhood-wide event that could bring in customers for all of us?”

Tristan had suggested something similar with the help of his marketing firm, but I wasn’t ready to let Chase off the hook.

“Sounds like damage control for you and a Band-Aid for me.”

“It’s just a first step,” Chase said. “With time, I’m sure we can co-exist, Austin. I don’t want to be your enemy. All I ask is that you give me a chance to put together some plans. Give me the benefit of the doubt. I’m not here to hurt anyone. I’m just trying to keep my family legacy alive. Just like you.”

He knew all the right things to say. But did I really want to trust him?

Words were on the tip of my tongue.

We’re not the same.

Don’t compare your corporate chain to my last remaining piece of my uncle.

But instead, something else came out. Something better, maybe. Because Chase was right about one thing. We had to co-exist if we were both going to survive.

“I’ll hear you out,” I said. “That’s all I can promise.”

He smiled brilliantly, and damn, it lit up his whole face. My heart gave a weird flutter. Probably just the shock of seeing how damn happy he looked at my answer.

“You won’t regret this, Austin. Thank you.”

“I hope not,” I muttered.

He sounded so sincere. If he was playing me, he was a damn good actor.

Chase glanced at the clock. “Gotta run. I’ll get a more detailed plan together after the grand opening. We’ll revive this neighborhood and make it great for all of us!”

He dashed out the door, leaving me reeling.

My phone buzzed with a text.

I half expected it to be Wash972. It was nearly time for that coffee date. But it was from Jordan.

Judging by the sparks between you and Chase Fox, I don’t think you need to worry about being attracted to a man.

Wait, what?

Another text popped in.

Unless, of course, you can’t dig your online buddy because you’re already hot for your business rival.

I gaped at the phone. That wasn’t… I wasn’t into—

Chase Fox? No. Absolutely not.