“Okay. Grab what we have for next week’s new release and put that out. We’ll have to make do.”
The door to the shop swings open and just about the last person I expect to see is here. In the middle of the day.
“Simon. What are you doing here?”
On instinct, I look down at what I’m wearing. My wide-legged, pinstripe, linen jumpsuit is perfect. Not that Simon cares what I’m wearing, but I like the reaction I get out of him when he sees me.
It’s been a few days since I’ve seen him, when we won the newlywed game. Sure, he’s been around town with Pierce and Charlotte, but my sole focus this week has been getting Gemma’s dress done. I want it to be perfect before the wedding so I can enjoy the week with all the festivities.
“Bringing some guests over.” He hands me a brown paper sack with the ranch’s logo on it. “Brought you some lunch too.”
“Really?” I take the bag and open it, inhaling the delicious scents no doubt cooked up by the ranch’s chef.
“Thought you might need something.” He shrugs a shoulder like this isn’t a big deal. “Wasn’t sure if you’d have a break today.”
Except it is a big deal. No one has ever brought me lunch before. If I’m busy, I’ll snack here and there, but never sit down to eat.
“Thank you, Simon.” Placing a hand on his chest, I push up and drop a quick kiss on his cheek. Except he doesn’t let me pull back. His warm hand comes over mine, keeping me in place.
“You deserve to have someone bring you lunch. Every woman should.”
It’s almost like he can read my mind. Like he’s telling me that no matter what this is, fake or real, he’s genuine.
But there’s also something in his words like he’s seen what men can be like. I don’t know Simon as far as I can throw him, but there’s a hurt there.
I only hope that I can show him how much he can trust me.
“Layla?” Simon dips down, bringing my focus back to him.
“Sorry. Where are these guests?” I look around him, but he’s by himself.
“Charlotte and Ellie wanted to come see the store. They’re grabbing a coffee with one of my guys.”
“Didn’t trust your men to bring them on their own?” I quirk a brow at him.
“More like those two can be a handful if they want to be,” he says with a laugh.
“You wouldn’t happen to be talking about us, now would you?”
The bell of the door chimes as another familiar voice rings out over the crowded store.
“Charlotte. Ellie. I’m so happy you girls wanted to stop by!” I step out of Simon’s hold and wrap the two of them up in a hug.
“Were we interrupting something?” Ellie eyes me and Simon, who has now taken a step back.
“You weren’t.”
“Sure.” Charlotte gives me a studying appraisal.
“What brings you two over?” I want to take the focus off me. And Simon. Because no matter how hard I try, he keeps pulling my attention.
“We wanted to do some shopping while we’re here.” Charlotte waggles her eyebrows. I know exactly what she’s talking about.
“I most certainly can help you with that.” I turn to find my assistant. “Hey Erica, can you watch the store while I help them?”
Her eyes are wide as she trails behind us. I forget sometimes that I’m used to being around the princesses since my cousins married them, but not everyone is.
They aren’t some fairy-tale versions of princesses, but real-life working royalty. Even though Ellie stepped down from the throne, everyone still calls her Princess. It’s a title that I don’t think will ever go away.
