Bookstore Barbie (Magnolia Ridge #1) - Alexa Riley Page 0,6

look to looking over the shelves of my bookstore.

“I think you should leave,” I tell her. I don’t want to say something I can’t take back and I also don’t want to stoop to her level.

“You’re just mad she’s got tits,” Kayla throws out there, but Missy ignores her.

“Oh, I’m leaving. I wouldn’t be caught dead in here, but I’ll be calling the health department on that coffee machine.”

It dawns on me what she was pointing at. “We aren’t selling it,” I rush to say. Do I need a permit to have coffee here if it’s free? I don’t know and panic starts to rise. She could have me shut down, I think. I look to Kayla like she might know.

“I’ll have this place closed in a week!” Missy turns from the open door and stomps out.

My eyes widen as she almost runs right into my man. Wait, he’s not mine, but I can’t help what I feel when I see him.

He jumps back so she doesn't make contact with him. She almost falls on her face, but at the last second he snags her by the arm and helps her to her feet. He quickly lets her go and takes another step back.

“Don’t want her suing you.” He smiles over at me and then he winks, sending flutters through my whole body.

“Hi.” Missy’s voice turns breathless and I have no doubt if I could see her face she’d be drooling.

“Is that him?” Kayla asks, and I look over at her. Her eyes are wide and she’s got a giant smile on her face. I’m guessing she has no idea who he is. I nod my head and wonder how he can possibly be more handsome than I remember.

“Are you new in town?” Missy takes the thought right out of my head. If Kayla doesn't know who he is, that means he’s new or not from around here. Maybe his mom is. That’s who he said he’d been here buying books for.

“Kinda.” He looks past Missy and his eyes lock with mine.

“You should let me show you around.” Missy reaches out to put her hand on his chest but he sidesteps her and comes into my store. “You don’t want to go in there.” She whips back around to face us.

“My woman’s in here.” He gives me another one of those smiles that has me melting on the inside.

“Forget what I said. Who cares if he kills people?” Kayla whispers not so softly, and I bite my lip. I’m unable to stop my laughter but now I don’t feel so bad that I was down for going out with a man whose name I don't know.

Missy’s face scrunches as she scowls. “This isn't over.” She stomps back toward her coffee shop and I realize that woman is never going to like me.

“She’s such a drama queen.” Kayla jumps down from sitting on my desk. “You got a name?” She holds her hand out.

“Shaw.” He takes hers in a quick shake.

“Oh, you’re Cora’s son.”

“That’s me.”

“I’m Kayla. The best friend.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Shaw looks over the top of her head to me. “Is she going to be a problem?” He cocks his head to the front door Missy just walked out of.

She might be, but I keep that thought to myself. She’s my problem to deal with and I don't want anyone else facing her wrath. She’s growing worse by the day but I’ll figure it out.

“She was born a problem.” Kayla rolls her eyes again. “I think she’s full of shit about the coffee machine, but I’m going to look into it.” She points one of her purple nails at me. “You don’t let it stress you out. Worse comes to worst, we take the coffee machine out of here.”

“Thanks.” I can always count on Kayla to make me feel better. For the short time we’ve known each other we’ve become close. “You kids have fun.” She smirks as she walks out the front door of the shop, leaving me alone with Shaw. I suddenly feel extra shy because I can’t believe he really came.

“I’m still open for another thirty minutes.” No one is here but it feels wrong to close up early.

“My mom sent me with another list.” He pulls a piece of paper out from his coat pocket, making me smile.

Searching for a bunch of books sounds like the start to a perfect first date.

Chapter Four

Shaw

“Have you read all of these?” I eye the shelves before I