“Can I ask something?”
“Of course.”
What she meant was, could she ask me something that might offend me? I wouldn’t have minded anyway, but I was intrigued by the thoughtful look on her face. Whatever Grace had to say, I wanted to hear.
She shook her head. “You can’t be making money on consults like this.”
“You’re right. Tiny failing businesses can’t pay me much. I’ve even refunded a few angry owners in my time. I just…” I shrugged, not wanting to make myself sound like a hero. Because I was not. “I can’t let people lose their life savings if I can help it. I don’t take every case, but all my consultations are thorough once I take them. And sometimes there’s a hidden opportunity there. Usually not, but you never know.”
“Oh.” Grace looked at me like I wasn’t the most trivial person she’d ever seen, and rather than making me feel better, it made me feel worse. Because this was apparently news to her, and that stung. Yes, I came from money, but my upbringing didn’t own me or my decisions.
Moving on. “So, I actually brought you along for a reason. Would you care for some jewelry, Grace? I’d like her to treat us like regular customers so I can snoop a little.”
“She won’t recognize you?”
“Nope. I’ve only talked to her on the phone. She dropped off her files to Connie when she came to my office. But it’s better if you do the talking. We’ll make this quick.”
“Okay, sure. I can do that.” She fiddled with the necklace around her neck. A delicate gold chain with a gold circle on the end of it. It was a college graduation gift from her mom symbolizing completion.
Like me, Grace had a complicated relationship with her mother, but the relationship was still important to her, and that was something I really admired.
I reached out and took Grace’s hand outside the door to the shop, and she gave me a weird look, not quite pulling away, but definitely considering it. Her fingers slid lightly against mine in a testing sort of way, and the sensation made it very hard to keep up the devil-may-care attitude I’d been going for.
“You’re playing the part of my girlfriend, Grace. Why would I buy jewelry for my business associate? That’s just plain inappropriate.”
“Dean.” Her half smile brought out the dimple in her cheek.
“Come on, sweetheart. Let me spoil you. We missed Valentine’s Day this year with my work schedule, and I want to make it up to you.”
“Oh, you’ll be making this up to me.” Her hand gripped mine with sudden confidence, and somehow that was worse. It made me feel claimed, and I liked everything about that except for the part where it wasn’t real.
As for her threat? If she was about to do some revenge shopping on my dime, I was here for it. The owner could certainly use the business. But knowing Grace, she probably had something else in mind. And I should be scared.
Chapter 9 – Grace
The owner practically threw us a parade in her joy over having customers, and she talked so much it was hard to look at anything because I kept having to answer her questions or laugh at her jokes.
It was also hard to concentrate because Dean was right there, quietly tethered to me. Yes, I was a grown woman, and I could hold a man’s hand in a fake sting operation for five minutes without losing my mind. But it wasn’t just the hand holding with his palm pressed against mine like he never wanted to let me go. It was all the extra touching. Our arms brushing against each other. Our hips. I was getting a trial run at what it would feel like to be with Dean, and it was definitely not terrible.
When he turned and pressed a kiss to my temple, I’d had enough. I gave him a playful shove that somehow turned into him pulling me back in for a hug. He was just that smooth. Or maybe I was that weak.
I was touch starved. That was all. And the realization only emphasized the gaping difference between Dean’s world and mine. Compatible, my foot.
“What are you doing?” I whispered in his ear. Hugs were meant to be temporary things, but he hadn’t let me go, and I couldn’t bring myself to shrug him off. He was so warm. Dean was a portable heater, and I was so very tired of winter. Plus, he smelled good. His cologne was inviting without being overpowering, just like his hugs, dang it.
“PDA makes people back off,” he murmured. “Regardless of their level of comfort with it. Take a look.”
I glanced up over his shoulder, and sure enough, the owner had her head turned to give us privacy. She was straightening things that were not askew. Humming to distract herself. Definitely not a PDA fan then.
Dean twirled me out with the hand holding mine, taking us closer to the counter, and I didn’t miss the way his eyes lasered in on the contents of the cases even while looking for all the world like he didn’t have a care. He did that a lot. Putting up a laid-back vibe so you didn’t realize how closely he paid attention to things. I’d be thinking about that for a while.
As for the shop, from what I could tell, this place had once been leased by an actual jeweler, with the bright lights, the black velvet lining, the thick glass, and all the locks on the cases. It looked odd to see beaded necklaces and baubles behind glass when their prices were as low as ten dollars.
The owner had assured us we could try on whatever we wanted but asking felt like a chore. I only did it because I knew Dean needed me to.
I tried out a few bracelets, a necklace Dean insisted on helping me clasp in the back, and then I picked out a pair of square crystal drop earrings to buy. Dean would never let me pay, but I still purposely chose something I would have chosen for myself if he wasn’t here, something everyday pretty and modestly priced.
Another couple stepped into the shop just as we were stepping out, the girl in front, and the guy right behind her with his mouth practically glued to her neck. I gave Dean a look.
