“Bad day?” Elijah’s voice behind me makes me flinch, and I spin around, coming face to face with him as the gentle floral notes of his cologne tickle my nose.
He’s dressed much more relaxed today in a pale blue shirt that amplifies the dark tan on his skin. His hair is fluffed and messy with a few strands kissing his forehead, and when he smiles, the corner of his eyes crinkles, adding to the sparkle in his gaze. My heart catches in my throat.
He looks good.
He always looked good, but today there’s something about him that I just can’t put my finger on. Elijah lifts one hand and briefly taps the rope necklace resting around his throat, adjusting its position while he waits for my answers.
Those are strong hands.
“Uh… yeah, you could say that,” I stutter out, shaking my head. “Angry customers always set the tone this early, y’know?”
“Oh, I know.” His smile is warm and charming, and my insides immediately turn to goo as he steps forward. “Could I get past?”
It’s only then that I notice that I’m standing in the middle of the hall and a trolley full of cases prevents Elijah from being able to walk around me.
“Oh, I’m sorry!” I throw myself to the side, pressing myself against the wall to give him as much space as I can.
Elijah steps closer still, closer than he needs to, and his smile widens as he passes between me and the trolley. “Thanks.” With a wink, he continues down the hall and vanishes around the corner at the end. I stare after him, my mouth open and my heart racing.
Did he just wink at me? What an asshole. Didn’t I make myself clear?
“Calliope!” Victoria melts out of seemingly nowhere and grabs my arm. “Why are you gaping after him like that?”
My mouth snaps closed and I meet her gaze. “I’m not gaping.”
“Yes, you are, look at you! Your cheeks are so red, oh, my God!”
Pressing the back of my hand to my cheek, warmth blooms across my knuckles and I wince. “It’s because it’s too hot in here.”
“No, it’s not. Are you lusting after an older man? I knew there was something saucy about you, I just knew it!”
“Victoria, you can’t say things like that!”
“It’s true, though, isn’t it? Look at you. Do you have a crush?” She loops her arm around mine and starts pulling me back down the hall. “I don’t blame you. He’s hot as fuck. He was at the store yesterday, and Marie took a picture of him. His muscles were huge while he was helping with the delivery. I wouldn’t mind getting picked up by him!”
Something uncomfortable coils in my gut as we walk. “You shouldn’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Take his picture without his knowing. It’s kind of creepy.”
“Jealous?” she smirks. “Relax, it’s not doing any harm.”
“But you wouldn’t like it if?—”
“Oh, my God, Calliope. You were just getting interesting when you were drooling over him walking away. Don’t get all timid nun on me now.”
My cheeks flush for a completely different reason and I drag my arm out of her grip. “Why are you being such an asshole today?”
Victoria stops dead. “Why can’t you admit you have a crush on the gem guy? I’m not judging you. Older men can be really fucking hot.”
“There’s nothing to—” I catch myself. With everything else going on, this really isn’t worth it. The more I protest, the more she’ll cling to it and I can’t deal with that. “Whatever.”
“I knew it!” she cheers and re-loops her arm into mine. “You have a little crush! Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. Maybe you can flirt with him and get us some kind of exclusivity deal.”
Rolling my eyes, I let her drag me all the way to the elevator, where she finally releases me and steps inside. “Bye.”
“Hey, wait.” As she steps inside, she holds the door open. “I heard you were getting some flack for those bracelets. Are you okay?”
