“Just…I thought I saw a penny on the ground,” I said, scanning the pavement for the coin.
“Are you that broke that you need to search for pennies? Because I’m pretty sure I could help you out a little.”
“No, it’s just a luck thing,” I lied.
Yes, I really was broke, and yes, I was lying about my reason for squatting on the curb.
But Josie wasn’t buying it. “You’re searching for a penny for luck,” she grinned. “That’s…interesting.”
“It’s actually not.” Hell, I was already in the lie. I might as well keep going. “When things are down, sometimes you look to other…forces to turn things around for you.”
“Everyone in this town would say you need to go to church.”
“Well, church isn’t going to fix my problem,” I muttered.
“What’s that?”
“Nothing.”
“Because it sounded like you said church wasn’t going to fix your problem, which would mean that your problem is not the usual sort of problem. Feeling down, needing guidance in life, praying for a miracle,” she ticked off. “So, the real question is, what would make you fling yourself to your knees behind your Jeep in the middle of the day?”
I scoffed at her question and headed for the bookshop. I was not going to play her game. Mostly, because I knew I would lose.
“Is it animal, mineral, or vegetable?”
“What?” I called over my shoulder.
“Well, there has to be a reason you’re hiding, and I don’t buy that you needed luck. Which means there has to be something or someone you’re hiding from.”
“That’s just ridiculous,” said, yanking open the bookstore door, only to stop in my tracks when I saw my nemesis standing in the thriller section, reading the back of a book.
Josie bumped into me from behind and peered over my shoulder. “Hmm, must be animal.”
I was frozen, totally lost as to what to do. Did I move forward? Did I flee for my life? There were so many options, but I was running out of ideas on how to handle my current situation.
Before I had a chance to make up my mind, Josie gave me a shove forward, nearly making me fall on the ground. Strong arms caught me at the last second, keeping me from the inevitable faceplant.
“Perfect,” I muttered, already well-aware of who was holding me upright.
I was going to kill her. Murder her and maim her body so not even JR or Sawyer would recognize her. And when I was done, I was going to pour hot coffee on her face.
“Well, if it isn’t Ellie from the Underground,” he chuckled.
I refused to give in to his teasing. It would only make things worse for me. So, instead, I glared at his gorgeous eyes defiantly.
“You’re an ass.”
“That’s not what you were saying the other night when I rescued you from the most boring date on the face of the earth. How long did it take him to flee?” he asked, his eyes dancing with humor.
“Yes, in the future, whenever I want to be mistaken for a hooker or a sex fiend, I’ll be sure to give you a call.”
“That would require that I give you my number,” he said, leaning against a bookcase. “Which I’m not opposed to. I happen to like it a little rough in the bedroom as well.”
Josie choked behind me, gripping my shirt as she buried her face against my back.
“Is there a reason you’re here?” I snapped.
“In the bookstore? Yes, I’m looking for a book.”
