Page 66 of The Heart You Kept

Such a smart-ass.

They walk back out the front of the store and I can hear them chatting. Okay, new plan. I’m just going to go out there and act normal…. If he wants to be an intern then fine, let’s intern.

I walk out to find Jonty serving someone and Edward is talking to a group of women in the corner. I watch him from across the store; wearing his designer suit and his swanky shoes, he looks so out of place here, the feather duster in his hand doesn’t help the matter. I edge closer so I can hear what they are saying.

“This is a nice piece,” he tells them as he runs his hand up an armoire.

“Divine,” the woman says as her eyes follow his hand. “What year?”

“At a guess, I’d say 1870s.”

Hmm, not bad. 1875 to be exact.

“I’ll think about it.” The woman smiles.

“This piece is sold,” he tells her.

“Oh.” Her face falls. “It doesn’t say sold.”

“I know, I hadn’t put the sign on it yet. Someone just called and asked to purchase it.” He runs his hand up along it again as if admiring it. “Such a beautiful piece.”

I roll my eyes at his dramatics, he’s a bad actor.

“Well, if the sign isn’t on it yet it isn’t technically sold,” she replies.

“True,” he replies. “But If I sold it to you—” he looks left and right, “—you can’t tell anyone.”

“Alright.” She exchanges glances with her friends. “I’ll take it. Do you deliver?”

What the hell?

“I don’t know, I’ll check.” He walks over to Jonty and me. “This lovely lady is taking the armoire, help her please.” He passes me the feather duster and throws me a wink.

Excuse me?

“Lovely to meet you, ladies.” He shakes their hands. “Jonty, clean it up before it goes out, please.”

Jonty looks at him deadpan and Edward raises an eyebrow in a silent dare.

“Thank you, Edward,” I snap. “I’ll take over from here.” I smile an over-the-top smile at the ladies. “What a find. I wanted this piece myself.”

An hour later I finish serving someone and Edward is nowhere to be seen. Where is he? I walk around the store and check all the alcoves, nope…. He’s not here.

“Where did he go?” I mouth to Jonty.

He shrugs. “He left.”

“Oh.” I frown, odd of him to leave without saying something. I walk to the front door and walk out; I look left and then right and then my eyes land on something inside the café on the opposite side of the street.

Edward is sitting at a table drinking coffee like a king.

Seriously?

“I’m going out for a little bit,” I tell Jonty and Helene.

“Okay.”

I cross the street and make my way in and sit at the table opposite Edward. He raises an eyebrow in question.