13.29 % Chapter 13 Chapter 13 Juniper Im already eying a new computer and a few other neglected upgrades .
Like lunch for everyone today .
Best thing of all , knowing hes a rich , traveling jerkwad , Ill never have to see his arrogant and irritatingly attractive face again .
Jake sighs in delight as he finishes his sandwich and uses his napkin to wipe his mouth .
That was awesome .
So much better than my moms homemade sandwiches .
The homemade sandwiches in question lie abandoned on one of the tables .
Cling wrapped and soggy , theyre possibly the least appetizing thing Ive seen all day .

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Gross .
Emmy pulls a face .
Youre telling me .
Who thinks cream cheese and a pickle needs jelly on it ? He groans and lets his head flop down .
Youre a lifesaver , Junie .
Speaking of saving lives , its time for me to get back to the accounts .
That , Emmy says firmly , is the least lifesavey thing Ive ever heard .
I ruffle her hair as I pass .
Shes a good kid.
Most businesses claim theyre a family , but this place really feels like it sometimes .
Sarah and Jake are busy saving up for college ; Emmys trying to get her art career off the ground and working part time to cover costs , and then theres me , desperately holding it all together .
The computer whines to life with less complaining than usual today .
When I open the dreaded spreadsheets , they dont feel so miserable after all .
In fact , I almost feel- Okay , light might be an exaggeration .
But when I look up at the pictures of Nana on the walls and the way the store was back when she was kicking butt , I feel like less of a failure .
-Ive almost had enough time to settle into the accounts and start crunching numbers for real when Emmy knocks on the door Ive left cracked open .
Junie , she says hesitantly , Whats up ? Didnt I say I have a hot date with a calculator ? I call back , trying not to groan .
Im so close to finishing this quarterly crap and being able to focus on something besides profit margins and expenses that finally have a shred of breathing space .
This better be important .
Its him .
The guy from a couple of days ago … she says too quietly .
Her blue eyes are hesitant as she looks up at me .
You know .
Big Fish .
Oh my God .
Its crazy that with just one ridiculously bear sized order and awful attitude , theyve given him a nickname .
Shit .
I thread my fingers through my hair , tugging the resistant strands out and staring at them , red and worn in my grip .
Why the hell is he back ? Did he realize he grossly overtipped and now hes here to correct the error ? Holy crap , no .
My stomach knots .
But what if its even worse ? If the food somehow made his big boss sick … I do the calculations in my head .
It was three days ago now when I presented the food to this man with all the pomp of a Roman emperor .
Plenty of time for his big boss to get sick and for him to take the brunt of the abuse and to figure out how to make my life miserable .
I dont suppose you can tell him Im out ? I ask .
Of course , I cant ask her to hide me .
Letting her or Jake deal with him wouldnt be fair or wise .
Even if its amazingly tempting right now .
etroyed : A Journey of Sonaraks 13.8 % Chapter 13 Junie … Relax , Im coming , Im coming .
I drag myself up from my chair and follow her to the front .
Hes standing by the counter with the same terrifying maleness as before .
Its like every single thing about him is designed to shock and awe the primitive part of my brain , reminding me the customer from hell looks like a scary hot mans man .
And dammit , my very confused body likes it for some unholy reason He gives me what might even pass for a smile as I take my place behind the counter .
Hi , I force out , not trying for the breezy placating customer voice I went for last time .
If hes here and pissed off , hell know better , anyway .
I sassed him before , after all .
I cringe internally .
Juniper Winkley , is it ? he asks , reading my name tag .
Nice to see you again .
Nice ? Nice ? I dont believe this guy finds anything about me nice , but he delivers the line with such practiced sincerity , I almost believe it .
Then I come to my senses and wonder what hes up to .
My eyes narrow as I clear my throat .
Um , yes .
I fumble over what to say next and settle for , Thank you ? I didnt thank you properly before .
He smiles , this time wider than before and fake as hell .
Oh , man .
It doesnt reach his eyes , but theres something charming about it anyway .
Even if hes just putting on a show , its nice to see a face that handsome set to something besides perma scowl .