Page 53 of Mated To My Boss

I exit the building and head straight to my car, starting the ignition, listening to the engine purr producing a satisfying sound as I drive out of the parking lot.

The supply store is farther than I expected, located in a part of town I don't visit often. I park my car by the side of the road, get out, and look around. I reach the building door and open it.

The store is packed with arts and crafts supplies. There are so many it's almost overwhelming, especially for someone like me who knows nothing about knitting. Only three people are in the store: three women whose eyes lock on me as soon as I walk in.

I give an awkward wave and the three of them start sharing glances while I walk around the store. The sheer variety of inventory has me wandering around for more than ten minutes.

I had just planned to help Madeline replenish her yarn skeins, but there looked to be hundreds of different types to pick from.

“Hi there.” I turn to the woman who just walked up to me. “Looking for something?”

I can instantly tell she's a shifter.She doesn't look like she works here.

“Hey,” I mutter.

“We don't get a lot of guys at this store. Especially not shifters.”

“I guess you could say I'm doing special shopping.”

She plays with the ends of her hair. “That's nice. I'm not complaining though, you're pretty great to look at.” I brush off the compliment with a smile and a nod before going back to my search. “What are you looking for? Maybe I can help.”

“Just supplies for my girlfriend,” I reply, emphasizing the word.

“I see,” she says, clearly comfortable. “Maybe I can help them. I'm Hannah. Lucca over there owns the store.” Hannah points to the girl at the counter, talking to the other woman.

“I'm sure I'll be fine on my own,” I reply. “It's part of the experience.”

I'm just about to walk past her when I catch a whiff of something familiar. I turn immediately, scanning the area, in shock. Hannah seems a little stunned by my sudden movement, too, taking a step back.

“What's going on?” she asks.

“I smell gasoline.” I look at her and glance at her fingers. “Is that ring yours?”

Hannah cocks her head to the side and then it looks like she comes to a realization. “You're Nate, aren't you?”

It's my turn to be surprised. “Yes, how do you know that?”

She gives a small laugh. “Madeline talks about you all the time. I didn't think I would ever get to meet you, but here you are. She was also pretty worried about a trinket I got a few days ago. She had the same look you have now.”

“Did this ring come from the same person?”

“I don't know,” she confesses. “A lot of people come into the store, so there's no way of knowing.”

“Not many people smell like gasoline and gunpowder.”

“You’d be surprised by the types who come in here. But I can keep a nose out for you. If I catch a whiff of anything like that again, I'll let you or Madeline know.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

She answers with a smile. “No problem. Now, let's get you something for your girl.”

Hannah ends up doing most of the shopping while I swipe the card for payment. I load the new supplies into my car and head back to the office just in time for the lunch break.

When I return to the office, Madeline isn't in. I slip what I got her into the large supply bag and wait. Thirty minutes later, she comes back to the office. She sees me in the chair, a little startled.

“You're back,” she states.

“Did you miss me?”

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