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but he says it doesn’t meet our risk requirements.”
    “ T he business is free and clear and there’s still some equity in the house. I provided the financials and the current business plan as requested. Business has increased since I’ve taken over, not declined. There’s no reason to believe that will change.”
    “I’m very sorry.” He shifted in his chair . S weat gathered at his brow.
    Shelby gripped the edge of her chair, willing herself to remain seated. The level stare she gave him drained the color from his face. “I want to talk to your supervisor.”
    “Yes, ma’am.”
    The man nearly ran to the back of the bank. Shelby rubbed her temples, staving off the rising migraine. The full weight of the bills in her office settled heavy on her shoulders. If she could just pull herself together and bury her emotions, she could appeal to his business sense and make this deal work. Business was her game, and she was a damn fine player . S he just needed a hand to help cross the bridge of debt her father had left behind.
    “Miss Stephens,” the man said.
    Shelby squared her shoulders, looked up, and felt a chasm open beneath her.
    “This is William Tanner,” the young loan office r said. Justin’s dickhead of a brother grinned down at her.
    “You’re the senior analyst?” Her day couldn’t get worse.
    “That’s right.” The smug look on his face tore through Shelby ’s veneer of self-control. She dug her nails into her palms, fighting the urge to claw the smirk off his face. He stepped closer and leaned against the desk, looking down on her with a shark-tooth grin. “I understand you had a question about your loan application?”
    “The business plan is solid. The house has some equity and there are assets at the bar. There’s no reason to deny this loan. And besides that, you know me, Billy. You know I’m good for it.”
    “You have an impressive work history…in L.A. But eighteen months as a barmaid in an establishment with a rocky past doesn’t give us the confidence we need to make this loan.” He leaned forward and spoke in a lower voice . “It’s a shame my dad spent so much on an education that you’re throwing away.”
    Shelby was on her feet before she knew it. “I’m a business owner, not a barmaid.”
    Billy stood, his height forcing her to tilt her head back. “Most business women show less cleavage .” He made a point of looking down her v-neck shirt. “Unless you’re offering new services since you took over the bar.”
    Her fist met his nose with a satisfying crunch.
    “You bitch!” He cupped his nose, blood poured down his chin, dripping on his white button-up.
    “Fuck you, Billy. ”
    Shelby stormed out, passing several slack-jawed customers as she went. The Mustang’s engine gave a satisfying rumble as she turned it over then revved the gas for good measure. Her tires squealed as she pulled onto Main Street and hauled ass to Shooters. Minutes later she tore into the bar’s parking lot , still shaking with anger. The delivery truck was waiting for her and John had propped open the door to start unloading. She took several deep breaths , cracked her neck, and forced herself out of the car .
    “Morning, boys,” she called as casually as should could pull off .
    “I thought you could use this after last night.” John handed her a steaming cup of Starbucks.
    “God bless you.” She kissed his cheek and wrapped her hand around the cup, but John didn’t let go.
    “What happened to you r hand?”
    Shelby pulled it back ; the knuckles were bright red and starting to swell. She caressed her fingers, wincing as darts of pain shot through her hand and wrist. “I…uh…sort of hit Billy Tanner .”
    “No shit!” John’s laughter echoed between the buildings as the delivery driver shifted beside them.
    “Give me that.” She glanced over the delivery ledger and scrawled her name at the bottom. “Drop it inside the door on the left . W e’ll sort it from