Page 21 of Feels Like Home

I can almosthearhim rolling his eyes at me, if that were evenpossible.

“I need yourhelp.”

I bite my lip to keep from doing a girly giggle because,hello,I’m agrownwoman and I’m getting butterflies and fighting back twirling in the middle of the business that Iown.

Ugh.

I’m almost annoyingmyself.

But I challenge anyone to not totally crush over someone like Andy. He makes me feel youngagain.

“Youthere?”

“I’mhere.”

“So, you’llhelp?”

“Honestly I don’t know how much help I’ll be. I only have a daughter, youknow?”

“No. I know what I’m getting the boys. But I need help getting something for my mom, and Tess and Barrett helped so much after we left Heather so I want to get them something and… shit. I’m screwed. Do you have anyideawhat the crowds are going to be like? I can’t ask you to do this. I’m sorry. Ignoreme.”

“No!” I shout, all too eagerly before he can just hang up. “I’ll help! I have to get a few thingsanyway.”

I don’t. Unlike most men, I’ve been done shopping for awhile.

But, heneedsme, and I literally have zero ability to say no tohim.

“Are yousure?”

I nod eagerly, my hair brushing against my cheeks in theprocess.

“I’msure.”

“Thank you. When can you leave the shop today? I feel bad. I’m always pulling you away fromthere.”

“Today? It’s Monday. Don’t you have towork?”

“Nah. It’sslow.”

“It’s slow here,too.”

The bell above the door jingles, alerting me to a newcustomer.

“I see that,” Andy says, a smile in hisvoice.

“Yeah,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper when my eyes connect withhis.

He’s wearing that damn black beanie again that does funny things to my insides, a denim shirt, and slim black jeans. He has a thick layer of stubble on his face, and when he smiles, the white of his perfectly straight teeth gleaming, I almost stumbleforward.

Good heavens above, he’sgorgeous.

I slowly slide my phone down from my ear, hitting the red button before slipping it into my backpocket.

“Hey.”

“You’re anxious to get this shopping over with,huh?”

“Or maybe I was just anxious to seeyou.”

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