while the woman digested her mistake. Her eyes had widened behind her glasses, and her cheeks bloomed a pretty shade of pink. She hadn’t even released the breath she’d inhaled when she’d realized who he was.
He supposed he could make the situation easier by simply shrugging it off and assuring her there was no harm done. A simple misunderstanding. No big deal at all. It would certainly be the gentlemanly thing to do.
But, hell, it wouldn’t be nearly as much fun.
He decided he would enjoy watching her squirm for a minute or two. Something told him that Tina Alexander was used to being composed and in control, and he rather liked the idea of ruffling this woman’s feathers.
Especially after the crack about him being old. Dammit, thirty-two was not old!
But when she continued to stare at him with alarm in her eyes, he began to feel a little guilty. He just wanted to rattle her a bit, not humiliate her.
He opened his mouth with the intention of easing her embarrassment, but when the breath she’d been holding came rushing out like an icy snowstorm, he realized it wasn’t embarrassment on her cheeks but annoyance.
“You knew perfectly well I was interviewing you for a job,” she said tightly. “Why didn’t you stop me?”
Well, well, he thought, raising a brow. The kitten definitely had her back up now.
“I suppose it was like watching a train wreck,” he said with a half grin. “I just couldn’t seem to tear myself away.”
It was also refreshing not to be recognized, he realized. He’d always hated that people treated him differently when they knew he was a Danforth, either turned extremely helpful or absurdly friendly.
Though at this moment friendly would hardly be a word to describe Tina Alexander, Reid thought. The mouth he’d thought so soft only a moment ago now pressed into a thin line.
He wondered for one insane moment what those lips would feel like under his own.
“I’m glad I’ve given you a few minutes of entertainment.” She crumpled the application under her fingers into a ball and tossed it into a trash can beside the desk. “Since you’re obviously not here looking for a job, is there something else I can do for you?”
Well now, that was a leading question, Reid thought, but certainly not one he could honestly answer without getting thrown out of the office. “I’m here about the space next door.”
She glanced up sharply. “What about it?”
“My real estate broker spoke to a man named Ivan Alexander about leasing it.”
“Ivan is my father.” Tina’s eyes narrowed cautiously. “But there must be some mistake. That space isn’t for lease.”
“That’s odd, since I was told to stop by today so I can look at the inside and pick up a key.”
“But—” Her voice faltered, broke. “That can’t be.”
“I’ve already put a deposit down, Miss Alexander.”
“A deposit?” she repeated, her cool tone now one of disbelief.
“My broker gave your father a check yesterday.” Reid couldn’t help but wonder why it should matter to Tina one way or the other who rented the space. “Is there a problem?”
Is there a problem? Tina stared at the man sitting across from her, felt a bubble of hysteria lodge in her throat. This can’t be, she told herself. Surely her parents would have told her if they’d rented the space.
Her space.
But it was true. She knew it in her heart. Reid Danforth would not be sitting here if it weren’t.
Slowly she slipped her reading glasses off, then spread her hands on the desk and rose. “Will you excuse me a minute?”
Without waiting for him to answer, Tina walked stiffly from the room, then headed directly for the double doors of the kitchen entrance. Her father was bent over a work table, frosting the bottom layer of what was going to be a three-tier, whipped cream, strawberry shortcake.
Hands on her hips, she faced him. “How could you do this?”
“Very easy,” he said without glancing up. “Slice the strawberries very thin and just the right amount of gelatine in the whip cream. Perfect every time.”
“That’s not what I mean and you know it.” She snatched up the bowl of whipped cream sitting on the counter and held it away from him. “When the antique store moved out next door, you promised to rent the space to me.”
“I make no promise.” Frowning, he straightened and faced her, then folded his beefy arms over his wide chest. “I told you I think about it.”
“It’s a perfect spot for a sandwich and coffeehouse.” She struggled to control her voice and her temper. “I poured my heart and soul into that project. Design plans for the interior, a prospectus, potential menus. You told me you were impressed.”
He nodded. “I was.”
“Then why?” Her voice trembled as she hugged the cold metal bowl close. “Why would you do this to me?”
“You are too young to open your own business, Katina.” His voice softened a bit. “When you are older, we will talk.”
“Stop treating me like a child. I’m twenty-four,” she said through clenched teeth. “Me, Rachel, Sophia. We are older. Why can’t you see that?”
“I am your apa,” Ivan said firmly. “It is my duty to take care of my family. We have only each other.”
“Dad.” She struggled against tears. “Apa. I’ve worked in this bakery with you since I was ten. You know I can do it.”
“It is too much money.”
“Aunt Yana is going to help—”
“This is not Yana’s decision.” Ivan’s voice rose. “My sister has the blood of the gypsies, running from city to city, country to country. What does she know about business and responsibility?”
“She’s dedicated to her work,” Tina defended her aunt. “Just because she travels doesn’t mean that—”
“Enough!” He lifted a hand to silence her. “It is done. I have rented the space for one year. We will talk again then.”
“But—”
“Be a good girl, Katina.” Ivan patted Tina on her head. “Now you will take Mr. Danforth next door and show him what he has paid for.”
“What?” Her mouth dropped open. “You expect me—”
“You will do as I say.” He snatched the bowl of whipped cream from her arms. “And you will be nice to this man. Do you understand?”
Tina opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. She knew it was useless to
