Standing By
Claudia Burgoa
Release date: September 23rd
2014
About Standing By:
Mitch Knight
1. Loves a good challenge
2. Never turns his back on a dare
3. Loves to create nicknames
4. Nobody cooks better than him
5. Doesn’t believe in love
When Parker Welsh sells Mitch Knight his organic restaurant,
Willows, he not only gives Mitch ownership; but everything entangled with it.
Including the annoying pastry chef who supplies the muffins and cupcakes.
Hayley Roth-Welsh
1. Loves To-Do Lists and Five-Year Plans
2. Has her dream job of baking sweets
3. Always tries to make others happy
4. Never seems to succeed with her family
5. Is still a virgin, waiting for love
Hayley played by her mother’s rules for the first eighteen
years of her life, instead of heading to college as her family expected, she
rebelled and opened a bakery, Pieces of Heaven. Her family expects her to fail
and head back to school and their wish may come true once Parker sells his
restaurant to the handsome, arrogant Mitchel Knight. It’s either join forces
with him or lose her dream.
Excerpt
Hayley
“I received the email. Now go and change,” Mitch barks, as
he closes his phone.
I just emailed him my end of the year numbers and for the
next two weeks he’ll come daily to observe and analyze what we need to take the
next step—or so he says. I’m weary about his recommendations-no-I fear that
he’ll say this is a lost cause.
“Change?” My forehead automatically becomes a frown. “You
said wear comfortable clothes, these are my comfortable clothes.”
I point at my Nirvana T-shirt, then my shorts and finally my
flat thong sandals.
“Should I switch my thongs for tennis shoes?”
“I really didn't need to know that you’re wearing a thong,
unless you’re willing to show me.”
I point at the shoes.
“Thong sandals, you, idiot.” Then I head
for my satchel purse and walk to the door. “Ready.”
“You’re wearing a t-shirt of a band from last century, and…
can you wear something less, Today is laundry day and these are the
only clean items I found.”
“As I said, these are my comfy clothes. No, I won’t choose
another outfit. Unless of course, we’re heading to have tea with the queen,
then I’ll think about changing my attire. What’s the plan?”
“Tea with the queen, what does that mean?”
“Mom’s motto. Every morning, you need to dress as
if you’re going to have tea with the queen.” I did it for eighteen
years, even when she was out of the country with Dad but after I left her
controlling grasp, I made sure to wear what I liked. “For Mom specifically it
means wearing famous designer’s clothing with high heels and a gallon of her
expensive perfume.”
“Can you wear something in between?”
“Yes, but I choose not to.” I respond with a sweetly tone,
open the door and wait for him to follow so I can lock the door. “Are we
leaving? Because as you know, my bed time is seven and we don’t have much left…
unless you need a refresher on how to tell time.”
“You can be obnoxious, Miss Hayley Mae Roth-Welsh.” He heads
outside.
“One of my charms.” I stick my tongue out before locking the
door behind him.
About Claudia Y. Burgoa:
Born on the mystical day of October 30th in the not so
mystical lands of Mexico City, Claudia grew up with a childhood that resembled
a caffeine-injected soap opera. Seventeen years ago she ventured to the lands
of her techie husband—a.k.a. the U.S.—with their offspring to start a new
adventure.
She now lives in Colorado working as a CFO for a small IT
company, managing her household filled with three confused dogs, said nerd
husband, two daughters wrought with fandoms and a son who thinks he’s the boss
of the house. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices
flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to
keep the last threads of sanity intact.
Thank you for being part of the reveal :)
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