Page 44 of Just a Little Prick

I laughed. “Cool. Bring it.”

He turned away, stalked into the parking lot, and got in his car.

I knew they were just words. There was no way he was coming back, ever.

I turned and went back inside.

Lora still stood in the corner, both hands pressed to her mouth. She looked up and our eyes met. She didn’t move.

I went to her. Sighing, I put one hand on the top of her head, then stroked it down the back of her neck. I slid my other arm around her waist and pulled her to my chest. She’d shared her feelings, and they only strengthened my resolve to finally tell her about the emotions that had been warming my chest all morning.

“I love you, too, Lora.”

Chapter Eighteen

Lora

Everything was awful.

Chris had made a huge scene, and then Bradley had shown up, and even though it was over—for now, at least—people were staring at me.

What was I going to do?

Bradley came back into the shop, and I looked up at him. He hugged me tight and started to say something. Typical Bradley, saving my ass and then comforting me.

“I’m sorry,” I choked out, talking over whatever he was saying. “I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

Wait. What had he said?

I looked up, blinking at him. “What was that?”

“I love you,” he repeated.

That…sure did change things.

“Really?” I asked.

“Really.” He nodded.

I glanced over his shoulder. Kenzie was serving a woman who’d just walked in, but she caught my eye and smiled, giving me a nod.

That was all the acceptance I needed.

I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck, and pulled him down into a kiss.

I didn’t let it last long. I was still at work, after all. I eased back, looking up at Bradley.

He was smiling.

I smiled back.

“Hey, Bradley.” We both turned to look at Kenzie. She held up a bag and a cup of coffee, putting them on the counter. “Oh, hey—nice jeans. Don’t let anything happen to them.”

Bradley snorted.

I gave him a questioning look, and he shook his head.

“Don’t worry about it,” he said.

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