I hate that I can still feel the ghost of his palm on my hip from last night.
I hate that every time I see him, my heart picks up the pace and something fluttery happens in my stomach.
But mostly, I hate the fact that I don’t actually hate that feeling at all.
“Fabes, thank goodness you’re here,” he says, stopping beside Logan and letting out a relieved breath.
I’m caught off guard for a moment. He’s here to seeme? Why?
“This is where Iwork. Of course I’m here. What areyoudoing here?”
Theo looks to Logan, then to me, then back to Logan, before turning and grabbing the nearest item off a shelf. “Iwas uh... looking for these.”
Logan smothers a snort of laughter.
“Do you think I could ask you a few questions about”—Theo peers down at the package in his hands—“magnetic drill adapters?” He widens his eyes and tips his head toward the next aisle, clearing requesting we chat privately.
Logan glances at his watch. “I was about to head over to the coffee shop. Fable, you want your usual?”
“Yes, please.” I bite back my knowing smile. He really thinks I haven’t noticed his frequent trips to visit a certain employee next door. “Is Mabel working today?”
“Not sure,” he says, doing an awful job at pretending he doesn’t have her schedule memorized by now. Herounds the corner, and the bell jingles over the door as he leaves.
“Logan and Mabel, huh?” Theo whispers as we watch Logan through the window, tucking in his shirt and turning toward the coffee shop.
“His coffeepot is ‘on the fritz,’” I explain in my best imitation of Logan’s voice.
“Suspicious.” Theo shoves the drill adapter back onto the shelf. “But cute.”
When his gaze meets mine, an uncomfortable silence stretches between us. I don’t know why he’s here or what hewants from me, but being alone with him is... unnerving. There’s a tense feeling beneath my skin when it’s just the two of us, and I’m already too aware of it.
That’s when I notice his cheeks are rosy and he’s breathing heavily. The vet clinic is on the opposite side of town square, which isn’t very far for a man who goes on five-mile runs every morning.
Not that I know about that or anything.
“Did you run here?” I ask, suspicious.
“No, no.” He runs a hand through his hair. “Definitely didn’t run.”
My eyes narrow. “Then what’s wrong with you?” It comes out harsher than I intended, but I don’t take it back. I need answers. Now. Before this uncomfortable feeling has time to sink any deeper into the pit of my stomach.
A smirk plays on his lips. “That’s a great question. How much time do you have?”
A growl sneaks out of my throat before I can control it. Is it too much to ask that we just get to the point? I don’t have the time or the patience for his teasing. Or his annoying grin. Or that mischievous look in his eyes. “Just let me know when you’re ready to check out,” I grumble, turning back toward the cart of light bulbs.
Chapter 4
Theo
Ineed a plan here. Running over on a whim wasn’t a plan, but that seems to be a trend with me today: making decisions before I’ve thought them through.
As Fable slides boxes onto the shelf, my gaze wanders, sweeping over her pink cheeks and long lashes. Her hair hangs in a braid down her back, and a Hawkins Hardware shirt sits above a pair of loose jeans, their legs rolled up above her black Converse sneakers.
Goddamn, she’s beautiful. This happens every time I’m around her—I lose track of what I’m supposed to be doing and just end up staring and fumbling over myself.
We’ll start slow. Ease her into a full conversation. Maybe that will get me back on track. Igrab the next box from the cart and offer it to her.
“If you’re here for a job, I don’t think handing me light bulbs is going to impress Logan. Especially when he’s not even here.” She gives me a droll look but takes the box.
