Page 85 of Crazy Thing

He shrugs like this is an everyday occurrence. “Well, I can’t guarantee that tactic will work for everyone, but sometimes customers need to be reminded of what they want. Set your prices and be firm. You know you have high quality items in here. Rare pieces, too. Make sure they know it, by not backing down.” He gently brushes a tendril from my cheek. “It’s all a matter of believing in your product, Fairy Girl.”

I nod, because he has a good point.

“How do I bring in more customers anyway?” I ask, hoping for more of his advice. I know the value of my products. It’s just a matter of conveying that value to my customers. I may struggle with closing deals. But Darius is an expert when it comes to this sort of stuff, that much is certain. “As you can see, I don’t stay all that busy. And I don’t have a budget to spend on advertising right now.”

Darius rubs at his jaw as he paces around my shop, eyeballing the merchandise on the rows of shelves as he thinks. “Okay. How about setting up a booth for local events? If you set up next to your aunt’s booth at the farmer’s market in Starlight Falls, I bet you’d attract a whole new group of customers who are willing to travel hereandspread the word for you.”

“That’s not a bad idea.” I bob my head slowly.

“Oh, and wasn’t that an organic grocery store that we passed on our way into town? What if you try to partner with them and see if they’ll let you set up a shelf of products in their store?” Darius suggests. “In return, you could offer to advertise for them here, or find a way to partner with them every few months since you’re in a higher traffic location. It’s a win win.”

“Well, damn. Why didn’t I think of that?” I mutter, jotting notes down on the back of an envelope. “I know the owner there, too. A sweet middle aged lady who left her corporate life in the city and moved here a few years ago.”

“See? You’ve just got to start connecting the dots. Thinking of how to come up with mutually beneficial partnerships.”

I smile softly. “Wow—you’ve been sitting on a lot of good business tips, Money Man.”

“And none of them are sleazy, either.” His lips swing into a half-grin.

I grin back.

More and more, I’m starting to open up to the possibility that he might actually be a good guy. I’m starting to consider that maybe he’s successful because he’s just brilliant. Maybe he didn’t have to crush anyone to reach success.

One thing’s for certain—I admire his mind. His intelligence is so sexy.

He grabs my wrist, pulling me into his arms. “But seriously, this place is amazing, Ziggy. You’re doing a great job here.”

My chest hitches at the unexpected compliment. “As the man who just paid off my heap of unpaid rent, you can’t possibly mean that, Money Man.”

He shrugs a shoulder. “You needed a little help. So what?Everybody needs a hand now and then. It doesn’t mean that you’re failing.”

My gaze drops to the floor. “Most days, it sure feels like I’m failing.”

He gently lifts my chin, forcing me to hold his stare. “Your work makes an impact in people’s lives, Ziggy. That’s important. No matter what your bank balance says.”

“Don’t get all mushy on me, Brighton.” As I say it, I feel a tear trickle along my lash line before spilling down my cheek.

Darius wipes my tear away, playfully frowning at me. “Mushy? Baby, I’m a man of steel and you know it. I’d happily give you a reminder if you need it.” He presses up against me and I feel the heaviness of his erection against my stomach.

I gasp, feeling my pulse flutter between my legs.

Darius chuckles at my reaction. “But to go back to what I was saying, this business you’ve built here is incredible. I’m being honest, Ziggy.”

I haven’t gotten many pats on the back on this eclectic journey of mine. My parents have flat-out called me a disappointment. So to have this tremendously successful man deem my work important means so much to me.

I burrow against his chest and I let him hold me tightly. “Thank you.” My voice cracks. But before I can melt into an absolute blubber-ball, the door chimes again.

After a few more straggler customers—one who browsed and left, and another who came to ask about my next meditation class—it’s dead quiet at the shop.

When I’m ready to call it a day, I lock up, and Darius joins me in the storage room at the back of my shop to put away the mop bucket and other cleaning supplies.We’vealready worked later than I expected and I’m exhausted, more than ready to collapse into my bed.

With Darius’s help, I was able to get more completed in a day than I’ve been able to accomplish by myself in weeks.

“Well, it’s finally closing time,” I announce, slowly dragging my palms down his chest because I love the way his body feels under my hands. “Are you ready for the drive back to your mansion, Your Highness?” I joke.

But now he shakes his head. “No. I want to see where you usually sleep.”

That makes me pause. I eyeball him closely in my dimly-lit storage room. “Really? You’d sacrifice another night in your mansion to sleep in the forest with me?”

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