Stay Sweet(56)

“See? Go down to three. You’ll get however many more scoops per three-gallon drum, at a higher price.”

“So . . . give them less and charge more?”

Every muscle inside Amelia clenches tight. Is he serious? She really, really hopes he is not serious.

Grady’s dad clears his throat and his eyes roll from Grady over to Amelia.

“Um, did you need something, Amelia?” Grady asks her.

“No.”

“Then would you mind closing the door on your way out?”

Stunned, Amelia nods obediently and backs out.

Grady’s dad barely notices her. He doesn’t say thank you. And he doesn’t take a taste. Instead he leans back and says, “I have a buddy who’s done some franchising in Chicago. I’ll give him a call.”

“Are you going to try the ice cream? It’s really good, Dad. That flavor was Mom’s favorite.”

“Actually, I could really go for a coffee. Can you call that girl back in here?”

That girl?

“Amelia?” Grady calls out.

Cate puts her hands on Amelia’s shoulders. Amelia hadn’t known she was standing there. “Please,” Cate says, raring to go. “Let me.”

“Cate, don’t.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going to ruin anything.”

“Hey, Amelia?” Grady calls louder.

Amelia positions herself behind the office door where she can peek in without being seen.

“Amelia’s taking care of something,” Cate says, entering the office. “Can I help you?”

“Oh.” Grady is standing at their coffeemaker. “Sorry. I couldn’t find any coffee.”

“That’s because none of us drink coffee,” Cate says. She smiles sweetly at Grady’s dad. “Can I make you a cup of tea instead?”

He doesn’t look up from the spreadsheet he’s holding. “Yeah, okay.”

Cate runs hot water through the coffeemaker while Grady’s dad flips through some more of the ledgers. “Mind if I take some of these with me? I’d like to look them over.”

“No. Not at all.”

“Here’s your tea,” Cate says, delivering a cup.

Grady’s dad takes a sip. “Mmm. What is this?”

“An herbal blend.”

“It’s good,” he says, surprised, taking a second, deeper sip. “Have some,” he tells Grady.

“Do you want a cup?” Cate asks Grady.

Amelia can hardly keep from laughing behind the door.

Grady and his dad are sipping on PMS tea.

*

It’s late when Amelia hears Grady open the front door of the farmhouse. Almost closing time. She knows he left the stand with his dad not long after she went up to the house. Cate texted her to say that the two of them had climbed into Grady’s dad’s Mercedes and roared off.

That was hours ago.

The day has been on rewind in her head; she’s been replaying how Grady and his dad treated her. Grady’s dismissive tone, his father’s condescending attitude, calling her “dear.” Grady didn’t even bother to introduce her, or single her out in any way. And as Head Girl, she feels like a total failure for not standing up for herself. She’s supposed to be a role model? Thank god for Cate’s PMS tea clapback.

She ends up making a pretty great batch of chocolate. Not as good as Molly Meade’s but pretty darn good. Could they sell this? Absolutely. But she doesn’t feel happy. She feels humiliated.

Amelia hears Grady kick off his shoes; the floorboards of the hallway creak under his feet. The basement door opens and Grady trudges down the steps. She doesn’t say anything to him. No hello. No How was dinner?

Not that he notices.

Grady falls onto the couch like dead weight. “Well, that was completely exhausting. I swear, nothing is good enough for him. It’s like, I think I’ve figured out how to make him proud, but then he immediately ups and moves the goalpost.” He adjusts a pillow so it’s behind his head and kicks off his shoes. “He never asks for my ideas, he never wants to hear what I think. The whole night was just him going on and on about all the things I should be doing with Meade Creamery. Bigger brand presence. Adding revenue streams. Sell the milk bottles. Sell the polo shirts.”

“What?”

“Oh, yeah. He wants me to start selling your Meade Creamery polos for twenty-five bucks apiece.”

Amelia drums her fingers in frustration. Only Meade Creamery girls get pink polo shirts. They aren’t nearly as special if everyone can buy one. “And what did you say?”

“I didn’t say anything. He doesn’t want me to say anything. He just wants me to do it.”

She spins toward him. “What about his idea for using smaller scoops? And charging customers more?”

“I don’t love the idea, but it would buy us more time.” Grady stretches, letting one long leg go to the floor. “You said you’re close, right? I have faith in you.” Amelia rolls her eyes. “What’s that about?” he says, drawing a circle in the air with his finger.

“Nothing.”

“Come on, say it.”

Her hands go to her hips. “How come you didn’t even introduce me to your dad? I’ve been busting my butt to help you. You treated me like your secretary! When I’m Head Girl!”