Chapter 17 Chapter 17 Dexter Guess whos reached an entirely new level of abscene hemlation , previously unknown in human history ? That would be mo I swear at the traffic ahead of me as I stomp on the gas .
The Tesla leaps forward like its airborne , but for once that doesnt put a smile on my face .
Driving in downtown Kansas City on a bowy might but something anyone does for fun .
Of all the meetings to find , the one with Sweet Stuff just had to be it .
I had no illusions walking into her shop , I thought she might be reluctard , suspicions , stubborn as hell Whatever , Not everyone wants to pretend to be in a fake relationship , and all because I planted my foot so deep down my throat it came out my own ass again .
Still , I thought the business would convince her it was worth it .
A temporary inconvenience for a sizable payodt Hell , its not like I want to date her , anyway .
Its a business arrangement like everything else .
But no .
Miss Winkley has other plans .
She wants to let her poor shop sputter along in this brutal economy , I did some research before our chat .
Judging by the fading reviews and low social media engagement , the Sugar Bowl has seen better days .
Its not winning the rave reviews from food critics and travel guides like it did in the past .
Institution or not , it isnt a place where people are beating down the door and begging this redheaded hellion to take their money .
All because she has her pride or some shit .
I have mine , too .
And now that shes gone and demolished my chances with Haute , it means theres another meeting waiting.
One where I have to own up to this wreck with my brothers .
Fucking hell .
I suck in a breath through my teeth and stab through the traffic clog to Lees Summit , just outside the city .
Its a sleek , modern office that looks like it belongs in Silicon Valley , Of course , theres still time for it to crumble around my ears .
Theyre waiting for me in the conference room like usual .
Archer sits at the head of the table with the familiar no nonsense stare hes been practicing since the day he was born .
And Patton is leaning back in his chair like hes still in high school and farting off homework , sending me a mocking grin .
There he is , Patton says in the style of a baseball commentator .
The middle brother has returned , dragging his lazy ass in with bad news .
Ah , hell .
Can we have one day where my little brother doesnt read my face instantly ? Im going to be in so much shit .
I slide into the third chair and shoot Patton the finger .
No one ever taught you how to behave in a meeting , huh ? I learned from the best , he says with a shrug Garys , knock it off , Archer growls .

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Do you always have to bicker ? I let a slow smile spread across my face , even though my insides feel like theyre ready to leap out of my mouth .
Were brothers , I tell him .
The annoyed look he gives back tells me he wishes he could forget .
Thats what we do best .
Archer doesnt grin , beat Patton does , letting his chair fall back on the floor again with a loud squeal of the wheels .
16042 Love Betrayed .
A Journey of Separated 18.4 % Chapter 17 So , he prompts .
How bad was it ? What can I say ? You guys were right .
I spread my hands .
Ilaute really does have a sweet tooth .
Told you , Patton says with a smirk .
The man eats like hes running out of time .
With that much sugar in his system , he might be .
Id hate to be his doctor , I say , stalling for time .
Dex , Archer clips .
Get on with it .
I roll my eyes , mostly for show , as I choose my next words carefully .
Initially , the meeting went well .
Excellent , really .
Hes interested in talking to his partners and he seems keen on moving forward with the Mill on reasonable terms .
But ? Archer stares at me blankly .
But ? I echo .
Patton tilts his chair again .
Theres always a but ; otherwise , youd have told us the good news immediately .
I stare at him .
Nobody would think Patton , of all people , would be intuitive as hell with his lazy smile and short fuse , but hes got a knack for seeing right through any shit .
Like I said , the guys a sugar addict , I say .
You remember that sampler of sweet crap I arranged for him ? He liked it so much he made providing the new property with an endless supply of baked goods an operating condition .
Youre fucking kidding .
Archer groans and drops his head in his hands .
Are we dealing with an imbecile ? Did his partners break something in his head at some point ? Hes not wrong .
Only , the imbecile is me .
Theres more , I say flatly , and you guys wont like it .
Archer glares at me .
I should be used to it after thirty years of dealing with his crap , but somehow , because its Archer , he still manages to pack a punch in every glare .
I think its the thick dark eyebrows and the fact that his beard is just starting to go silver , shot with age .
Stop beating around the goddamned bush and tell us , he snaps .
I hold my hands up .
I am telling you .
So , Haute wanted his pastries as part of the deal .
I told him fine , and I also mentioned that Im sort of -oh fuck , here we go- engaged to the Sugar Bowl owner .
Silence .
For five whole seconds , maybe longer .
Probably a new record for the three of us .
Then Pattons chair hits the ground so hard he flops against the table , a shit eating grin spreading across his face .
Is she hot ? Screw you , Pat .
I ball up a piece of paper and toss it at him .
Thats not the problem here and you know it .
Archer looks like he wants to tear my head off and hurl it at Patton .
Humor me .
Exactly what the fuck was going through your head when you decided to tell a crucial business prospect that youre engaged to a woman youve met how many times ? I pinch my jaw .
Twice , I bite off .
What the What made you think this was a good idea ? Were you drunk ? Archers fist crashes down on the table .
Look , I never said I thought it was a good idea shut up , Patton .
I know it was stupid .
Terrible case of foot in mouth .
Did he buy it ? Patton asks between his rolling laughter .
Did Haute buy that you Dexter Rory , the man without a beating heart are engaged to a pastry chef ? Shes the store owner , and yes , as it happens , he did .
Forrest Haute thinks with his stomach first and I think his gut was impressed .
Damn .
She must be a total smokeshow , Patton looks at Archer .
Wouldnt be impressed otherwise .
16:42 Love Betrayed : A Journey of Separate Pat 18.7 % Chapter 17 Goddammit , Pat .
Enough , Archer flares .
We need to find a way to neutralize this , not think about Haute jerking , off to this bakery chick The absolute worst part is that Pattons right She was cute in that fluttery stubborn damned way of hers , and Haute smiled at her plenty , Which means he thought she was easy on the eyes , too .
Which also means he should be the jealous one , and I shouldnt be feeling the slightest hint of pins and needles in my blood over a woman who means jack shit to me .
What the hell ? I think we know what weve gotta do , Patton says , turning his grin on me , Youve got to double down , Bro .
Make this girl want you .
I wonder if I can make my brother burst into flames if I just stare at him long enough .
Pattons right , Archer says , I do a double take , You need to sort this fuckery out .
Were this close to the biggest deal this company has ever had .
We cant lose it now over you getting fucking tongue tied , Dex .
He frowns at the table .
The Mill could set us up permanently .
It could keep Colt sleeping easy for life .
Colton .
Archers son , my nephew , and the entire reason Archers so hard assed about life like the perfectionist asshole he is .
I cant even hate it .
Colts a good kid and Archers a better single dad than having three parents .
Just offer the girl a nice cut of the profits if shell play along , Patton suggests .
Shes a businesswoman , right ? Shell know a good deal when she sees it .
Out of your personal share , Archer adds .
Seeing as you got us into this mess .
Sure , asshole .
If only he didnt think I was done .
I bite my tongue hard enough to taste metal , tapping my fingers against the table .
One , two , three .
Here comes the cherry , the icing , and the whole goddamn filling on my cake of epic screwups .
Thats the thing , I say .
I already tried .
I sat down with her less than an hour ago and offered her the deal of a lifetime on a silver platter .
She looked at me like I was crazy and basically threw me out .
Hell , maybe I am psychotic .
That would explain why I told Haute I was engaged to her in the first place , wouldnt it ? I have a sudden blinding urge to ask our mother if there was ever a great uncle or distant cousin who lost his marbles .
Amazingly , having an unexpected brain disease almost feels easier than admitting how hard I fucked up .
Patton snorts before he can help himself .
What ? She didnt take the bait ? he asks , ignoring Archers glare .
Did you kiss her ? Play up your smolder ? Promise her your share of the property when you divorce ? For fucks sake , Patton , shut it .
This isnt a joke , Archer growls .
No , but its pretty funny .
Little Dex , falling down the abyss .
From dateless wonder to getting rejected by some small time bakery chick .
Thanks , prick .
Your wisdom makes this so much better , knowing youve got my back , I snarl .
With this ? Patton raises his eyebrows .
Bro , youre on your own .
16:42 Love Betrayed : A Journey of Separate Path 19.0 % Chapter 17 Archers right , this is your mess to clean up .
Ile isnt wrong .
Archer takes a sip from the paper cup beside him .
Water or vodka by the looks of it .
I realize I need a drink too .
No excuses .
I dont care if you have to follow her home and camp outside her house with a wad of Benjamins until shes convinced .
I dont give a shit what you do , Dex , but you make this right .
We cant lose Haute .
Right , right .
No big deal .
Ill just persuade Miss Juniper Winkley to go along with a scheme she wants nothing to do with or were all collectively boned to the moon and back .
Yes , I can do that .
I just have to hope she wont end up having me hauled off in handcuffs the next time I try to win her over .