Chapter 19 Dexter When i come back the next day , I notice several letters on the neon sign are burned out .
The whole place needs a makeover fast .
Its perfectly clean , yes , but damned near everything except the bakery cases are worn and dated , The Sugar Bowl needs real investment if its going to stay above water .
Sweet Stuff herself must know and that gives me an idea .
I make a small mental inventory as I head to the counter , taking my sweet time .
The lights are antiquated , the stainless steel appliances are dull and scratched , the overall aesthetic is old .

Follow new episodes on the CrushnovelS.Com

The floor needs some serious refinishing , too .
The counter has a few ugly chips on its side .
The whole color scheme looks like it was last updated bebre the turn of the century .
It feels like a bad trip back to the nineties , .
A few new tables and chairs would help while theyre waiting to renovate the rest of the space .
The window also needs a facelift , if not replacement , judging by the mottled looking glass .
Thats not even mentioning the back , which is if the front is anything to go by probably clean to a fault but extremely dated .
Their equipment should be replaced before it starts a fire .
My jaw tightens .
Yeah , this is going to be one hell of a job , assuming they dont have the capital .
And considering they havent made a start , I already have my answer .
I reach the counter and dont bother making small talk with Jake .
Theres no point , considering hes eyeing me like he wants to find out how to eviscerate me with a spatula .
He should meet Archer .
Theyd get along fine .
Dude .
Shes not here , he says sharply before I say one word .
We told you , shes out .
Okay , listen , dude .
I spread my hands flat on the counter .
Im here to see Miss Winkley and I know shes back there .
I can see her .
By the sound of it , she can hear me , too , because she grabs that beat up door and mashes it shut .
Rather , she tries .
The door squeals like its being murdered and the latch pops right open again two seconds after its shut .
Take a hint .
She doesnt want to see you , Jake says , coughing .
Sorry .
Hes not sorry .
Not even close .
The kid looks like hes enjoying exerting some real authority , even if its by proxy for the most stubborn woman on the planet .
Fuck me .
I want to place an order then , I say .
For the office , delivery later today .
Can you handle that ? Order ? What for ? Jakes nose wrinkles suspiciously .
To eat , obviously .
I pull out my credit card , flashing it in the light to prove Im serious .
Your products are delicious , even if your service is lacking The kid squints at me like hes ready for a brawl .
I know .
Everyone says that about our stuff , Jake says , a hint of a smirk in his voice , ignoring my service comment .
Everyone with a dozen cavities , Im sure .
Still , if Im going to win them over , then I need to pretend these little globs of sugary death are Gods gift to 16:42 O Love Betrayed : A Journey of Separated 20.799 Chapter 19 humankind .
Guess theyre right .
I know a man whod crawl over broken glass for this stuff , I say .
Lets do another sampler scaled down , and this time go with the standard sweetness .
Jake might be a kid , but hes got a decent head on his shoulders .
He negotiates the biggest deal he can , offering me one of those ancient card readers to pay at the end .
At least when the order turns up , Juniper Winkley should be there with that old van of hers .
Then we can talk .
If I can just show her how much shell benefit from working with me , along with this store , Ill have her .
Bye ! Jake says , irritatingly chipper as he waves me off .
Its amazing what a few dollars can do .
Also , hes not the only one feeling lighter .
I actually crack a smile as I pass under the flickering sign and drive back to the office .
She doesnt bring the damn order .
Emmy , the girl with the dark hair and glasses that slip down her nose when shes driving , shows up and hauls it inside while I watch .
Three boxes bulging with shit I cant choke down to save my life .
Fantastic .
Thanks for your order, she tells me nervously , eyeing me like Im about to bite her face off .
Plan on another visit , I clip .
Everyone in the office will love me , at least from Sylvia the secretary to the service reps and interns running on a steady diet of caffeine and pure sugar .
So will Juniper by proxy .
I fucking hope .
Oh , wow , really ? Okay ! Emmy says , her smile widening as I sign the receipt and write in a large tip .
Any idea when you want the next ? Tomorrow .
Its not like I have much time to waste in the convincing department .
Oh , great .
See you tomorrow , then ! Dammit , I want the order , but not this bright eyed kid .
Actually , I hoped you might send Miss Winkley personally next time instea Bye ! With a quick flip of her hair , the door swings open .
She bolts to the van like theres a pack of angry Dobermans behind her .
I stand there with my jaw open , too slack jawed and stunned to curse .
There it is .
Proof positive that the universe means to pay me back horribly for my foot in mouth disease and nothing absolutely nothing is going to go as planned .
16:42