Bookstore Barbie (Magnolia Ridge #1) - Alexa Riley Page 0,3
see their calves at this level, but I can hear their hushed talking.
“So how long have you worked here again?” the man asks, and there’s a cocky tone in his voice like he already knows the answer.
“Actually, I’m the owner.” The woman’s voice is soft but there’s a hint of pride in it.
“Oh, that’s great.” Before she can respond he keeps on talking. “Listen, you’ve been so great about helping me find what I was looking for, let me take you out to dinner.”
“Um—”
Once again the guy keeps talking like he’s less interested in what she has to say and he’s just ready to hear himself speak.
“Let’s say Friday night. I can pick you up here. What time do you close?”
“It’s kind of late.” Her sweet voice is so soft, but if I’m not mistaken I hear her hesitate. “I’m not sure if—”
“You don’t even know your own store hours? The name Barbie really does suit you.” He chuckles and my hackles begin to rise.
I grab the book I was searching for and abandon the rest of the list when I see the pair of legs walking toward the front of the store.
I get up from my crouched position, grab my basket and walk to the checkout. I can’t see the woman behind the counter because the man is blocking my view. But I move in close enough to hear what they’re saying.
“That will be nine dollars, please,” the woman says, and I can tell her cheerfulness is forced without even looking at her.
“You really know your way around that fetish section, Barbie. Tell me, do you like to play?”
His voice is like a snake across my skin so I can only imagine what he’s doing to her. I have to bite my tongue and remind myself that this isn’t my business and I need to stay out of it.
“I make it my job to read the books I have here in my shop so that I can help people find what they’re looking for. That one in particular you asked for is nine dollars.” Her answer is a little more stern and a silence passes as she clearly waits for him to pay.
“Sure, sure.” The guy pulls out his wallet and fans it open to make a show of all the cash he has inside. I roll my eyes and shift as I try to see around him and get a look at the woman. He moves to block me again and I’m irritated. “How about on Friday we close up shop together and you show me around this place in the dark?”
This motherfucker is not taking a hint and I’ve had about enough of it.
“I…um, well it’s just that—”
“Hey, Barbie,” I find myself saying as I push my way up the counter beside the snake. She’s stunned silent for half a second as she looks up at me, but I wink at her so the guy can’t see.
The curvy brunette is a goddamn bombshell with warm brown eyes and dimples in her cheeks. When she quirks her dark red lips at me, I feel my knees get a little weak. Now it’s me who’s stunned and I have to clear my throat.
“Mom had a few more books on her list this week I need help finding.”
“Oh sure, no problem!” She recovers quickly.
“And I’m just making sure we’re still on for Friday.” I catch a hint of a blush as she tucks her chin and nods.
“Yeah, we are.”
“Good.” I make a show of turning my big body to face the guy at the counter. I finally have the chance to size him up and I’m not shocked he falls short. He’s tall and lean and looks like he could pass for a fitness model, but a pretty face will only get you so far when you’ve got an attitude like trash.
He looks at me and then at Barbie before pushing the book towards her. “Never mind. I’m going to get it online.”
He walks out of the store and as happy as I am to see him go, I see her eyes widen and her mouth open as if to call after him. Her face is crestfallen when the door closes behind him and the chime of the bell might as well be laughing at her.
“I’m sorry about that,” I mumble, thinking I may have just hurt her business. “I’ll take these.” I stack up the books I have in my basket and see a pile next to the register