“It is haunted,” she says again, and I’m starting to think it’s haunted in a different way to her. I take a few books from her arm and sort them on the shelves.
“I didn't think anyone lives there.”
“There are a few people who look after it. It’s been empty since he left.” I take the last book from her hands. “Now he’s back.”
“Do we hate this person?” She shakes her head no. “Do we love this person?” It’s never been so hard to get something out of Kayla before, but if she wants to play twenty questions I will.
“I’ve loved him my whole life.” She turns around and walks toward the front of the store, but I don’t understand why she’s so sad if she loves him. Why would she be upset he’s back and why did he leave to begin with?
“Wait! You can’t cliffhanger me like that.” I chase after her.
“It’s nothing. He’s way older than me and I don’t even know if he’s staying around or not. Either way, it’s best if I hide out and wait.”
“To see if he’s actually staying in town?”
“That and other things.” She looks everywhere but at me and she looks uncomfortable.
“You’re not going to tell me what these other things are?”
“Like you told me Shaw was helping you with boxes?” She smirks and I stick my tongue out at her because I know she’s won this round.
“Speaking of Shaw I thought you said you knew some stuff about him?” She didn't get a chance to tell me when I got back with our lunch. I had to steal bites of my food and work at the same time, not that I’m complaining. Being busy helps pass the time until I see Shaw again.
When he stopped in with snacks and flowers, I knew I was being stupid about having any doubts about this or him. He’s too good to be true, so I told myself he couldn’t be real and here he is being perfect. He showed me today that he actually might be more than perfect, at least for me.
“He’s new in town, like you, and here to help out his mom.” None of this is news to me. It’s sweet he’s staying here to help her and it says a lot about him. “I guess all the girls around town have been talking about him, but getting him to speak is impossible. It’s clear you don’t have that issue with him.” She lets out a laugh, stealing another piece of the chocolate Shaw brought me.
“That's all you’ve got?” I grab a piece myself and pop the sweet treat in my mouth.
“He’s got money.” She shrugs as she says it, knowing I won’t care about that. “That’s all, really. Like I said, he doesn't talk much so people are just making crap up.”
“He talks to me and that’s all that matters.” I try and not sound smug about it, but I kind of am.
“When is he coming back?” Kayla picks up her phone and checks the time. I grab mine from inside my desk, remembering I forgot to check my text messages from Shaw earlier. Will he be annoyed? Better yet, will I be in trouble? A yummy chill runs through me and my body loves the idea. A fantasy begins to unfold and I heat up.
“Earth to Barbie.” She snaps her fingers in front of my face and I blink a few times.
“At close,” I answer, coming back to reality.
“You want to tell me what you were daydreaming about right then?”
“Nope.” I unlock my phone and see a missed text from Shaw asking me if I’m hungry. There’s one from an hour ago telling me he could still taste me on his lips. I want to taste him on my lips too. It was so hot with him on his knees in front of me. I think it would be just as hot if I was on mine in front of him.
“Oh. Some douchebag came by looking for you when you went to grab us food.”
I put my phone down before I can text him back because I have no idea who she is talking about. “Who?”
“I didn't recognize him. Short red hair, dark eyes, and thinks he’s hot. Spoiler, he isn’t.”
“He was in the bookstore?” It’s not often we have men come in here.
“Yep, said he was here the other day and he wanted to talk to you.”
“Oh.” Then I remember it must have been the guy Shaw saved me from. I was sure I’d never see him again.
“He left his number.” She reaches into her jeans, pulling out the scrap of paper and handing it to me. “He said he’d be back later.” I look down at the number and I’m surprised he came back. I drop it down on my desk with no plans to call him.
“I won’t be needing that.”
“I figured. I was going to tell him to buzz off but he was gone as quick as he was here.” She jumps down from my desk. “Do me a solid and peek out the front. Let me know if you see someone who is built like a tank and looks pissed.” She grabs her bag.
“Looks pissed? Did you do something to this guy you’re avoiding?”
“No, his face is always like that.” She lets out a long sigh. “It’s hot.” I burst into laughter because of course Kayla thinks it is.
“If you say so.” I walk over to the front door and take a peek outside. Missy is standing there glaring at me. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask her if she doesn't have something better to do, but I don't want to start a fight with her. I want to close my shop and spend the night with Shaw, so I step back inside.
“I think it’s all clear.”
“Awesome.” She kisses my cheek before she darts out the front door. I lock it up behind her and flip the sign over to “closed.” When I turn around I run right into a warm wall of man. I drop my head back and look up at Shaw, who is grinning at me.
“You’re very punctual.”
“I was counting the seconds.” I gasp as his big hands go to my ass and he lifts me off my feet to bring me eye level with him. “Give me a kiss.” I wrap my arms around him, not needing to be asked twice.
I press my mouth against his and his lips part mine as his tongue tastes me softly. I dig my fingers into his short hair and he kneads my ass in a possessive hold. A moment later he sits me down on my desk and lifts his head to look at me.
“I missed you.” I wrap my legs around him the best that I can. He’s a big guy and I’m not that tall.
“Missed you too.” He kisses me again, and I hum, thinking I could get used to this.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” he asks, but I'm not sure what he’s talking about.
“My bell isn't working?” I point to the front door.
“I’ll fix it tomorrow.” His lips twitch. “I was talking about the asshole from a few days ago stopping by.”
“Oh.” I turn to look at my desk and find the piece of paper I dropped. “I forgot about it already.” I shrug.
“Someone broke your back lock yesterday,” he reminds me, taking the number from my hand and balling it up before tossing it in the waste basket.
“Probably Missy.” That’s my guess. I’m not sure what the point of it would be, but I don’t understand why she does a lot of things.
“It’s clear you aren't into him, but he’s back here pushing. I don’t fucking like it.”
“Are you—” I lick my lips. “ Jealous?”