Bookstore Barbie (Magnolia Ridge #1) - Alexa Riley Page 0,35

he’s meeting the security people out back. I grab his arm and pull him back for a real kiss, not caring who sees. Or maybe I want everyone to see.

This break-in might actually work out in my favor.

Chapter Sixteen

Shaw

“Where do you think she’s going?” I ask Barbara as Kayla runs in the front door and straight into the storage closet.

“No clue, but I’m pretty sure it’s got something to with a man.”

I take a box of books to the back of the store and then I hear the new alarm on the front door chime.

“Can I help you?” I hear Barbara say as I put the box with the others and walk toward the front.

“You’re Barbie, right?”

“Who’s asking?” I call out, until I see it’s the guy from the police station. “Oh, you’re looking for Kayla.” I walk up to him as he nods and I hold out my hand. “I’m Shaw, and that one is mine.”

I move in beside Barbara and slide my arm around her waist.

“Yeah, I saw her come in. Is she still here or is she sneaking out the back again?”

“She’s in the storage room in the back.” I would have heard the alarm on that door go off if she had opened it, so I know she’s still back there.

“Shaw!” Barbara jabs an elbow in my side and I just smile down at her.

“We’re about to go to lunch. I’ll lock the door on the way out.”

“But, but—” Barbara protests as I take her by the hand and lead her toward the front door.

“Good luck!” I call out to him, lock the door behind us, and we make our way to the diner.

“I can’t believe you just let him go back there. What if he, I don’t know, tries to hurt her?”

I shake my head. “I’ve seen that look before. Kayla will be just fine.”

“And how do you know?”

I pull her close to me and wrap my arms around her waist as I look into her eyes. “Trust me.”

She smiles for a moment and then goes up on her tiptoes and presses a kiss to my lips.

We make our way down the sidewalk towards the diner, and Larry from the barber shop glares at us through his window.

“I used to think he only did that to me, but I think it’s just his face,” Barbara whispers as she speeds up her steps.

I laugh and then we end up talking about cats with grouchy faces and how cute they are. I hold her close as we go to the diner and we take our time with lunch. I end up ordering three different kinds of pies because she can’t make up her mind. Seeing her eyes light up when Amelia brings them over is worth it.

“I’m so stuffed. How am I supposed to go back to work?” Barbara moans when we start our walk back.

“Do you want me to carry you?” She shakes her head as I tuck her in beside me and I think about taking her home and getting into bed.

In the distance I see the chief getting into his cruiser and Missy at the side entrance of her shop looking mad as hell.

“What is she up to now?” Barbie asks, and I shrug.

“Don’t know, but she’s not happy with the result.” I watch as she looks around a few times but our view is blocked by a couple of trees. She looks both ways once more and then sneaks around to the back of her building. “I think we should follow her and see what the hell is going on.”

“Like, spy on her?” Barbara’s voice is barely above a whisper and I smile down at her. God, she’s cute as hell.

“Yeah, be cool and let’s sneak around.”

“Kayla was right. This is exciting.” She grabs ahold of my arm with both hands as we move closer and then cross the street.

When we get to the side of the building, I press my back against it and look down the small alley that leads to the rear of her shop. It’s also right beside the back entrance of Barbara’s book shop, so I want to make sure she doesn’t do anything fishy.

To my surprise, I see Missy walk over to a parked car at the back of her store and lean in. There’s someone behind the wheel and I want to see who it is she’s talking to.

“Come on, and stay close,” I whisper, and I feel Barbara give my arm a squeeze.

There are a