Barefoot Bay: The Billionaire's Convenient Secret (Kindle Worlds Novella) Read Online Free Page B

watched Josh’s face. His eyes darkened, his interest piqued. Hoping to get him on her side, she glanced around as if she didn’t want to be overheard. “Favor Oil is buying up all these little mom-and-pop operations and bringing them under the corporate brand,” she said, pitching her voice low. She noted the flicker of concern that carved lines across Josh’s forehead and knew she had hooked him. “Don’t worry,” she soothed. “Your job is safe. Once the renovations are complete—new signage, a store reset, that sort of thing—you’ll get your old job back and, if you play your cards right, maybe a nice little raise along with it.”
    Confusion, rather than the eagerness she’d expected, flooded Josh’s face.
    “I’m sorry,” he said, folding his arms across his chest, “but I’m afraid there’s been a huge mistake.”
    “I don’t think so. Ms. Grambling and I have already agreed on a price and terms. All I need is her signature, and we’ll be done.” She sidled closer. “So, you see, Josh, it’s very important that I talk with her. Can you help me out here? Tell me where she’s hiding?” For just a second, her stomach tightened when a flicker of something she couldn’t quite decipher passed over Josh’s face before his boyish smile deepened.
    “Look, as far as I know, Charity’s on a cruise.” His palms out, Josh raised his hands. “If she had other plans, she didn’t tell me. I’ll ask around, though.” Dropping his hands, he leaned in. “If I find out anything, can I call you?”
    She rattled off her cell phone number, certain he’d deliver. “Or, you can leave a message at the front desk at the Casa Blanca. I’ve booked a room there for tonight.” She nibbled her lower lip. “I hope it’s an okay place.” The online photos had been so amazing she’d been tempted to stay all weekend.
    Josh pulled on his chin. “I’ve heard good things about it. I guess we’ll both see if it lives up to its reputation tonight. Junonia, the restaurant I mentioned, is in the main building.”
    “I’ll see you later, then,” she said, the hope of gaining more information outweighing an urge to cancel their date. Josh was witty, intelligent and, Lord knew, good-looking enough to get her motor purring. But his admission that he hadn’t even visited Casa Blanca, much less applied for a better-paying position with the island’s largest employer, sent a bright crimson banner straight up the ol’ flagpole. So, yeah, she’d meet Josh for a drink. They’d laugh and talk, and maybe she’d even flirt a little, but no more. Because, as hard as she’d struggled to escape her poverty-stricken past, she refused to get involved with a man who earned his living clerking at the Super Mini Mart Convenience Store.

 
     
    Chapter Two
     
    Charlie shot Josh a side-long glance on her way out the door. She hadn’t graduated at the top of her Columbia class or spent the last two years studying the heavy hitters at W&B without learning a thing or two about what made people tick. Her instincts told her that Josh knew more than he was saying. A whole lot more. She was as sure of it as she was certain the sun would rise in the morning. In all likelihood, the man knew not only where Charity Grambling had taken herself off to, but why, and what, the owner of the mini-mart hoped to gain by her actions. Once she got Josh to open up, she was pretty sure she’d be able to close the deal on the Super Min and move on, her grip on the ladder of success a little bit more secure.
    So far, though, he wasn’t budging. No matter how hard she’d batted her eyes at him or how many times she’d toyed with her hair, he hadn’t caved. Tonight, over drinks, she’d try again. In fact, she’d devote the entire weekend to prying the truth from him if that’s what it took to get the job done.
    Not that spending time with Josh would be a hardship. Far from it. There was something about him, something that stirred her to her