Siren in the Wind Book One of the MIT Series

Chapter Seventeen

Levi Bakal's bakery seemed as dull as dishwater. Fair enough, he'd just bought the place, but it was clearly in disrepair and would not be in use in the foreseeable future. It was the first time Abby had seen the actual bakery, and she was shocked at how much Levi needed to do before it was functional. The crumbling wallpaper revealed water damage on the far wall. The place smelled musty and looked filthy. Kitchen equipment in the back would need replacing. What was Levi thinking?

Abby tried to ignore the brawny dolt sticking to her like glue. Oh, she'd prettied up all right. She felt foxy and fine in her fitted plum blazer thrown over a white blouse with black tailored pants. Her stilettos were a little high—but hey, give a girl pretty shoes and she can walk on water. Carefully applied lipstick matched the blazer perfectly. She was back in control, pleased that the preschool meeting had gone so well. Wanting an apple tree incorporated into her logo, Rosie was happy with Abby's preliminary sketches.

Now Abby was dealing with two annoying men. Levi was already on a roll, skewering her with a censorious stare. "Abigail, why have you brought your boyfriend along? It's highly unprofessional and your focus needs to be on branding my business."

Max answered smoothly for her. "Abby's car gave her problems. I offered to bring Abby to her appointments today."

Levi gave Max a severe look. "Did you get beaten up along the way? What's with the black eye? Abigail needs to focus. Our last meeting did not go so well. She needs to learn how to listen, how to understand a client's vision. I won't tolerate shoddy work."

Max's sudden rigidity didn't bode well for the small fellow, so Abby stepped forward. "Levi, I'm here to make sure that you come away with the right branding. Let's talk about color."

"Don't schmooze up to me, missy. I gave you a list of colors I like. You chose to use them in the most unsettling of ways. At the end of all this, I may have to find someone else as your work is not up to standard."

Did Max just growl? Abby shot him a look, guiding Levi to a table to hash out the designs.

A long hour later Abby climbed back in the truck.

Max paused before turning the key. "That little prick."

Levi Bakal's digs didn't bother Abby. Her work was of a high standard, her customer base was happy, and repeat business was a primary source of income. "It's all good. Levi's a little uppity, but I can deal with it."

"Screw that. Your work is fucking awesome!" Max swiveled in his seat to face her. "You have a natural talent that's unbelievable. I look at those designs, and I think wow, they're masterful. Any client of yours is lucky to be on your books, and don't get me started on your fine art."

Groping for words, Abby reached out and touched his arm. She strived to be a good artist and earn a decent living, but doubts over her talent would creep in. She lived a lonely life, and aside from Lizzy, her diminutive cheerleader, no one ever offered support. Max would never know how much his kind words meant to her.

"Thank you" was all she could say, staring into those piercing eyes.

A moment melted into two moments and then three. Abby eventually tore her attention away from the intense warrior and fastened her seatbelt.

"You look pretty. I'm sorry I behaved like such a dick earlier. You always look beautiful. I was just tired of seeing that drawn look on your face."

"Apology accepted. I needed a few days to re-center myself. That man—at La Coraggio—really hurt me, knocked me mentally and physically on my ass and then finding out..." Abby stopped and bit her lip.