Repeat - Kylie Scott Page 0,27
for three, but God knows I need the experience, and it’s not like I’ve got anything else going on.”
She nods, gaze thoughtful. “Okay. All right, then.”
It’s nice, not fighting with my sister about my welfare. I have to admit, however, I’m surprised. If anything, I’d have thought the incident with my car would have made her double down on the security side of things. But no.
Great. I smile, she smiles, we all smile. Maybe this day isn’t so completely shit after all.
* * *
New releases take up the front half of the shop. Secondhand books and a range of literary themed items and locally made handcrafted giftware—such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, and sea glass pendants—inhabit the other half. Of course, there’s also the counter area off to the side and a staff bathroom and storage area out back. To say Iris is happy to have me there would be an understatement. I think she gets lonely. How you could feel isolated with people coming and going, I’m not sure, but everyone’s different. I find the semi-constant stream of customers a little overwhelming. It’s a good opportunity to work on my next-to-nonexistent conversation skills.
I asked Iris why she wants someone working in her shop who only remembers ever actually finishing a couple of books. She said because I was trustworthy and still loved books, just needed to catch up on my reading.
All day, the pile of books sitting at the end of the counter waiting for me has been growing. I’m only borrowing them. Guess it’s a staff-bonus type thing. Otherwise, I’d be further in debt as opposed to actually moving forward financially. Which, let’s face facts, I’m still barely achieving. But at least I’m not bored.
The door jingles and I quickly straighten up from the fluffing and strategic placing of cushions on the couch. Because having your ass in the air when someone walks in is such a good look. And oh shit. “Ed, what are you doing here?”
“She means hello and welcome,” singsongs Iris.
The man stands just inside the doorway, face tense. Although, I’m not sure I’ve ever even seen his face un-tense. And it’s probably not something likely to happen around me anytime soon. Sneakers, jeans, and a faded black T-shirt. Of course, he makes vaguely disheveled look good. Damn good. He licks his lips and my mind blanks; my heart stutters. I just stand there like an idiot.
Having a crush on my ex-boyfriend is problematic.
“We need to talk,” he mutters, gaze fixed on me.
“What have I done now?”
“Clem . . .” His lips morph into a slightly lesser scowly type look. Rueful, I guess you could describe it. He nods at the couch, wandering over to take one of the wingbacks for himself. Not like I wanted to sit next to him anyway.
After getting the nod from Iris, I sit. Curious as per the usual. “So?”
“I called your sister just to check on you and she told me.”
“What about?”
“’Bout what happened to your car, and how you’re alone a lot with her doing shift work,” he says.
“None of that concerns you.”
“She’s worried about you.”
I shrug. “She’s a worrier. It’ll pass.”
“Yeah, but I think she’s got a point. There’s every chance the target was your sister. From a distance, you two look a lot alike. But while Frances is armed and trained to handle this sort of thing, you’re not. Plus, you’re already recovering from head trauma. You being there on your own so much isn’t good.” He sits forward, elbows resting near his knees. “We had a talk and . . . you’re going to move back into the condo. Just for a while.”
“What?” I gasp. “Move in with you?”
He nods somberly. “With me, yes.”
“And you two just decided this? How? Why?”
“Hear me out . . . legally, it’s half your house anyway.”
I shake my head. “No, Ed. Just so much no.”
“My hours are eleven to six, so you won’t be on your own so much. Just in case someone is messing with you,” he says, face lined. “You’ll be safer.”
“Thank you so much for making decisions about my life for me. But us living together is just an all-round fantastically bad idea.”
“Closer to your work here too, so the commute is easier. And I know you like the area.”
“You do not want me living with you.” My mind is officially blown. The man is already on the verge of outright hating me. This could tip him over the edge. I can’t afford it. “I cannot believe