Cake Love: All Things Payne(59)

"I'm so sorry Evaleen. I don't remember that specific conversation with Edgar, but I do know that the only person I ever called an Ice Queen was my mother. I never would have said that about an employee, especially a new hire. I didn't know you. As for the way I treated you when you asked if I offended you, well that was all me. I was an * for a very long time. If it isn't already glaringly obvious, I have a lot of anger issues." I chuckle and the corner of my mouth tilts up in an impish grin.

"For a long time I thought the best way to deal with people was to just point out the mistakes, even if it wasn't their fault. I am sure you weren't responsible for the errors in the forms and meeting schedules. I know for a fact that you were too junior at the time to have any control on scheduling mistakes. You just happened to be in front of me at the time and made the mistake of asking me if I had a problem. I'm sorry. That was no way to treat you. I hope you can forgive me."

We sat in silence for a moment as Evaleen just stared at me. Her mouth opened and closed a few times. She didn't expect me to apologize. The old me would never have admitted I made a mistake, but the old bitter Henrik died the day Morgana walked out of my office at Mimir. I wonder sometimes if I just left the old me in that building, in that office. I can’t help but wonder if I ever returned, would the old, bitter me come roaring back to life?

Who knows? It doesn't matter anymore as I will never be setting foot in that office again.

"Well, I better let you get back to work Evaleen. For what it's worth, you are good at your job. I never let anyone say a disparaging word about your work. You are a hard worker and I admire that about you. Thank you for letting me know about Morgana."

I stand and push the chair back in, as Evaleen remains seated, staring forward as if I’m still directly in front of her.

"Payne. Drake’s first name is April." Evaleen smirks as she tells me.

I nod. "April, that's a nice name. Too bad she had to change it."

Evaleen nods and gets up. Gathering her things, she taps me on the arm just before she heads out.

"Payne, I just wanted to say I wish you the best of luck with your business, and if anyone can make something work, I know it's you. You’re smart and good at what you do."

I watch her in stunned silence as she exits the shop. After a moment, I turn my attention to the front counter where Trevor is waiting by the register. I make my way to the front never taking my eyes off him.

"Hello sir. What is your drink preference today?" His nasally voice causes my stomach to churn.

"So, you’re the dipshit that forced Morg...April Drake to change her name." I cut straight to it.

The blood drains from his face as his eyes drift over my body. I have at least a few inches of height and definitely many more pounds of muscle than he does.

"Um, what do you want?" his voice cracks as he asks me.

"I want you to apologize to her."

His eyes dart around the shop and he whispers, "Where is she?"

I pluck the pen from his shirt pocket and grab an old receipt left on the counter. I write on the paper and push it to him, tossing the pen at him.

"Call this number. Tell her to meet you here tomorrow at noon. You need to talk to her. When she gets here you take whatever shit she throws at you and you beg her forgiveness."

He leans back looking for something. I am suspecting it's his co-worker who I saw walk out the door behind Evaleen. I guess this was a bad time for Trevor to have his co-worker go on break.

"What happens if she doesn't show up?" He shrugs like that is a possibility.

"Are you trying to weasel out of this?"

He seems to be gaining more confidence as a line forms behind me.

"No," he shakes his head refusing to look me in the eye, "but what if I contact her and she can't make it or wants nothing to do with me. I can't MAKE someone do something they don't want to." He smirks at me.

Cocky little bastard.

"I will be here tomorrow at noon. If she doesn't show, and especially if you don't show, I will wait. I will keep coming back until you show and if you don't, I will find out where you live. Trust me when I say you don't want to see me again."

"Okay. Fine, but I still don't understand why she is so upset about this. The video has over a million hits!"

I roll my eyes at him. "You’re a disgusting excuse for a man. What the hell she ever saw in you I don't know."

"Whatever dude. Just because you’re her boyfriend or husband or whoever doesn't mean you have the right to bully me." He folds his arms over his chest, standing tall trying to appear bigger than he is, like you would to intimidate a bear.

"I'm not anything to her, but I will be something to you if you don't follow through on this. Oh, and I heard that Morg... I mean April's father is an ex-Navy Seal. I’m quite sure he would be so happy to hear that I found you after all these years. Of course, if you do as I say, he never needs to know of your existence." I smile at him as his eyes grow large.

"Fine. I will. Tomorrow at noon."

He grabs the paper and shoves it in his pocket. I start to turn away but stop and lean over, never breaking eye contact and making my voice sound low and clear, "Oh, and don't mention me showing up to make you do this. It wouldn't sound sincere if she knew I made you do it."