When I was living in LA, I hadn’t seen myself coming back to the UK to work at a romance library. But then something really shitty had happened and I knew I needed to leave town, fast. And when Theo said he needed my help, that sealed the deal. The timing was perfect.
My brother had always had my back, so if spending a few months in this tiny town, surrounded by romance evangelists, was what he wanted me to do, then I wasn’t going to let Sarah’s littlegive Ben the bootcampaign stop me.
Sarah glowered at me, whilst I grinned back at her, which only seemed to make her angrier. But I didn’t mind. She still looked cute. Plus, it gave me an excuse to look at her properly.
I liked her eyes. They were dark and fiery. Probably because there were angry flames shooting from her pupils right now.
And all that pouting was perfect for showing off her beautiful full lips.
Although I guessed that she probably straightened her hair, it was a little tousled at the back, probably from leaning against the train headrest, which I loved. Made me think of how it might look if she woke up in my bed…
And don’t even get me started on her body. I’d only glimpsed it briefly, but I was already a fan.
‘What’s up, sweetheart?’ I smiled at her as she continued to scowl. ‘I know you think I’m irresistible, but honestly, all of this staring is getting embarrassing. Tone it down a tad.’
Sarah’s eyes popped with shock.
‘In your dreams!’ She laughed. ‘I thought you were a dick on the train, but now I don’t even have the words to describe what a knob you are!’
‘First you can’t take your eyes off me and now you’re talking about my knob. Is there an HR department here? I need to talk to someone about your inappropriate comments in the workplace.’ I smirked.
‘You little prick!’
‘There she goes again. Fixating on my cock.’ I shook my head whilst trying to stifle a laugh. ‘Honestly, Sarah, we’ve only just met. Show some self-control, woman. This obsession isn’t healthy. Oh, and by the way,nothingabout myprickis little…’ I grinned and I swear Sarah was so angry if she’d opened her mouth to speak, fire would’ve shot out.
‘So!’ Jess said as she burst back into the room. ‘Theo and I have spoken.’
‘Yes,’ Theo added. ‘And although we’re horrified by Ben’s words and don’t support his views, we’ve decided that we’renotgoing to kick him out.’
‘Thank you.’ I gave Sarah a smug smile.
‘What the hell?’ Sarah shouted. ‘Jess? Look, I know I’m a newbie and you and Theo make the rules, but can’t you both see that it’s dangerous to have a non-believer like him working here? It’s like recruiting a butcher to work for an animal rights charity or asking an atheist to lead the Sunday service at St Paul’s Cathedral!’
A non-believer?
Jesus. Now the woman was making this place sound like a cult.
‘I hear you,’ Jess said softly. ‘I know his shitty comments make him look like an idiot, but lucky for Ben, Theo and I know that he’s a good guy.’
‘Cheers, sis,’ I said.
‘With the right rehabilitation programme, we believe Ben can besaved,’ Jess added.
‘For crying out loud!’ I rolled my eyes. ‘You’re making it sound like I have a serious addiction. Next you’ll be staging an intervention!’
Actually, I shouldn’t joke about that. I wouldn’t put anything past them at this point.
Jess ignored my comment and continued. ‘As I was saying, luckily, we still feel like there’s hope for Ben. That’s why we’ve decided that if he wants to stay, he’ll need to commit to reading one romance novel a week, to be chosen by you.’
‘What?’ I gasped.
Sarah’s scowl tipped up into a satisfied smile.
‘Ilikethe sound of this!’ Her eat-shit grin intensified.
‘And we’ve also decided,’ Jess added, ‘that he’ll work with you on the social media and you’ll work with him on two new development projects.’
‘What?’ Sarah and I barked in unison, both of our faces falling.
