CHAPTER THREE HUNDRED AND THIRTY EIGHT – SOMEONE’S JEALOUS

Over the next few days, true to his word, Harwood's advances became more subtle. He would drop by the bistro during off-hours, engaging in casual conversation with the staff. He'd bring books he thought Jasmine might enjoy, leaving them with other employees to pass along. Once, he even had a bouquet of flowers delivered to the bistro, addressed simply to "The Staff" but with a card that Jasmine knew was meant for her eyes. Marco watched all of this with growing frustration. One afternoon, as Jasmine was going over the week's inventory in the back office, Marco stormed in, his face a storm of emotions. "How long is this going to go on, Jasmine?" he demanded. Jasmine looked up, startled. "Marco? What are you talking about?" "Harwood," Marco spat the name like it left a bad taste in his mouth. "His little game. And you, letting him play it." Jasmine stood, her own temper flaring. "I'm not 'letting' him do anything, Marco. I've told him to back off." "Have you?" Marco challenged. "Be