ROCK HARD FAKE GROOM

A SINGLE DAD, FAKE MARRIAGE ROMANCE

CHAPTER ONE – SARAH TILLERMAN

“Great, did you hear that?” Barney stared down the road where a man from next door to my bakery had just ridden off on his motorcycle. “You’re going to be hearing it night and day.”

I dipped my sponge and wrung it out so the suds turned foamy in my bucket. “This was the only location I could afford, besides, bikers eat cake too, right? Maybe I could do a specialty pastry inspired by leather and chrome.”

“I don’t think that would help.” Barney, my sister’s husband, had way too many opinions and loved hearing himself talk.

My sister, Angie, came out wiping her hands on her jeans. She’d been inside cleaning and stood back to look at my windows. “Great job, sis. You’ve got those windows looking new. I finished up inside and now you just have to fill the shelves with deliciousness.”

“Who’s that?” Barney shielded his eyes from the sun and I turned to see a car pulling into the parking lot in front of my business.

“That’s got to be the inspector.” I turned toward Barney, giving a warning glare. “You let me do the talking. It’s my shop, remember.” Barney had a way of shooting his mouth off and I really needed to pass inspection. I was so glad I’d gotten the windows cleaned and everything was officially scrubbed up and ready for the grand opening, bright and early on Monday - as long as I passed this inspection.

The man got out and made his introductions and I showed him inside. He went over the check list of my requirements and all was going well at first, until we came to the kitchen.

“Your floor drain is capped. That will have to be opened up. And I see you don’t have the extra sink. That’s a requirement. Your freezers are not up to temp and your overhead light will need to be replaced with a proper cover. When is your grand opening planned?” The man was all business and quite intimidating.

“Monday, but I was going to bake and prep over the weekend.” My heart sank. I’d waited all week for this man to come and he’d arrived so last minute that now I wouldn’t have much time to fix anything - much less install a sink with new plumbing.

The man walked around looking at the rest of the shop. “You’ve done a lot of work. The best I can do is come back on Sunday to give you my approval. I know it seems like a lot of work, but you’ve got time. I’ve seen miracles before.” He handed me a piece of paper and hurried out.

Angie and Barney, who’d waited outside came in once he left. Angie met my eyes and offered a hug of support. “How bad was it?”

I pulled away and showed her the paper. “It could have been worse I guess. The biggest thing was the sink. I have to have a separate one for hand washing, and it has to be installed by Sunday when he comes back.” I wasn’t worried about the cap over the drain or the stupid light, and the freezer hadn’t had enough time to reach its proper temp, but it would. Even the sink wouldn’t be so bad if I had the money to deal with it.

I swallowed a hard lump that had formed in my throat. “I’m running out of money. I’ll have to close shop before it even opens.”

“Get a loan.” Barney shrugged like his suggestion was the answer to everything and my sister seemed to agree.

“I’m sure the sink won’t be too much. There’s still time to go down to the bank if you want to. I’ll ride with you and Barney can stay here.” She nudged her husband who nodded.

“There’s one problem. I’ve already tried to get a loan and was denied.” I was ashamed to admit it, but my ex had ruined my credit before our nasty break up.

Angie’s eyes narrowed with anger. “Why would they refuse you?”

The last thing I wanted to do was relive my last miserable relationship, but I could tell that Angie expected an answer. “Darrel stopped paying on the motorcycle.”

“Darrel? That loser, really?” Angie wasn’t helping my mood. “Why would it matter if he defaulted on his loan, you two were not married.”

“I signed for him. It was in my name.”

Angie threw her arms up and turned away from me to pace the room. “How could you let that happen? You’re the older sister, the wiser one, right? Did our parent’s troubles not teach you anything?” Our parents’ financial issues caused lasting damage to our family.

“I know, I’m stupid, okay. Reminding me of that now isn’t going to help things, especially since the stupid bike shop he bought the thing from is right next door.” I said with defeat.

“That’s the same shop he bought it from? Wow.” Barney scratched his neck and shook his head, as if he were speechless for the first time in his life.

“I’ve looked all over for other options, but this was the only one I could afford. So now every time I hear those bikes, I can think of the worst decision of my life. Happy?”

Angie stopped her pacing. “Enough, you two.” She took a deep breath and then turned to face me. “How much do you have for the sink?”

“I have the money, but it’s all I have. If I don’t make enough opening week I might not last a month. That money was my safety net.”

“A sink can’t be that much.” Barney stared at his feet which were too hairy for the flip flops he wore.

“Do you know how to install a sink, Barney?” I knew the answer to that so I didn’t wait on his reply. “Do you know how much it will cost for labor?”

“Well, we’ll help if we have to.” My sister’s reluctant tone told me they really didn’t have it either.

“No, It’s my shop, so I’ll figure it out. I want to do this on my own.” After my last relationship, where I’d made every damn financial decision with Darrel’s approval, it was time to stand on my own two feet.

I could see the relief on my sister’s face. “Well, let us know if we can help.”

I took a deep breath and tried to focus. “I still have the drain and a light fixture to worry about if you two think you’re up for it. I’ll get on the phone and call around. Surely someone will come install a sink on a Saturday.”

“For the right price,” said Barney. My sister nudged him and gave me an apologetic look.

Barney left the room and went out back towards the dumpsters to mill around and my sister apologized again for him. “He means well.”

“I know. That really rubbed me about the location though. It’s not like I didn’t try to do better.” I glanced out the window to see the bike shop next door and Angie walked up beside me. Her arm fell around my shoulders and she leaned in to get a good look at the place.

“Maybe the owner will be some big, hot slice of man who’s single and looking for a hot lady that knows how to bake.” She wagged her brows as I shook my head.

“No way. Those biker types are all the same and I swore off bad boys after Darrel. Besides, I have no time to date. The shop is my only love at the moment.”

“Who said anything about dating? Maybe he’ll come over and eat your muffin?” She gave me a nudge and we laughed. My sister came off as a prim and proper type, but she had a foul streak that was reserved for certain people. She and I had always joked around like that.

“I don’t think so. He’s probably some greasy old man anyway.” No thanks.

“I wouldn’t be so sure. It can’t help to get along with him regardless.” She had a point. I wondered for a moment if the guy knew how to do more than work on bikes. Maybe he could install a sink?

“I plan on being friendly, I just don’t think I’m ready for any sort of relationship. Darrel did a number on me and it’s just too soon.”

“It isn’t too soon. You guys broke up almost a year ago. You need to have some fun in your life too. Something that isn’t also described as work. I think you should walk over there and check him out. And if he’s hot, invite him over sometime for a warm slice of pie.”

We were both laughing as Barney came in. “What’s so funny?”

“Nothing,” we said in unison. We shared another laugh and then went back to work knowing Monday was approaching fast.