Page 106 of The Heart You Kept

“You guys get going. I’m going to get some takeout and reconcile the cash register.”

“We’ll wait.”

“No. I insist.” I pour myself a glass of wine. “I’m going to wind down a little and take my time, you guys go. Thanks for today, you’re amazing.”

“Okay. But lock yourself in.”

“I will.” I walk them to the door and flick the lock, now…I march to my office at double time. I open the security footage link and begin to scroll through, my screen is split into four screens. One of the front shop, one of the aisles, one of the bathroom area out the back and one out the front of the store. I smile as I watch Helene and Jonty navigate the night. As it plays in the background I call my favorite Chinese restaurant.

“Hello, Lucky Charm.”

“Hello, can I order some home delivery please?”

“Of course, what would you like?”

“I’ll have Chilli king shrimp and fried rice please.”

“Sure thing, it will be around twenty minutes.”

“Thank you.” I pay and give them my address, pour another glass of wine, and go back to watching the security footage. I hit fast-forward and watch as everyone moves at double speed. On the bottom right screen I see Edward and his friends arrive and I click to full screen.

“Hello,” Jonty says.

“We’re here for the mystery box,” Edward says, void of emotion.

“Tickets are sold out. Sorry, bad luck.”

Edward looks at him deadpan and his friends chuckle behind him.

I giggle too, Edward’s face is priceless.

“Go and get Alora,” Edward tells him.

“She’s too busy to talk to you.”

Theo and the other boys burst out laughing.

Edward leans in and says something that I can’t hear and Jonty rolls his eyes and walks inside.

What did he say to him?

I rewind it and watch it again but can’t make it out. I sip my wine and fast-forward it again, I watch on as Edward and his friends walk around the store. I can’t hear what they’re saying but they are chatting and every now and then they laugh as if something funny was said.

I walk past in the screen on the left and Edward’s eyes drop down to my behind and he says something to his friends and smiles darkly, I hold my breath as I watch on.

What did he say?

I gulp my wine; this is the most fun I’ve had in months.

I fast-forward and everyone goes into speed mode, every now and then Edward comes onto screen and I slow it back down so I can watch him. The way he overpowers everyone in the room.

He’s just so….

I fast-forward again and finally get to us in the taxidermy aisle, I enlarge it and chew my nail as I watch. He says something and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear.

The air leaves my lungs as I watch us together, the sexual chemistry between us is palpable, I can feel it through the screen.

I can see the erection in his pants and he towers over me, and then he pins me to the shelf as I stare up at him.