Page 25 of Booked for Summer

Tomorrow, in the cold light of day, when they didn’t both smell of sex.

She paused at the entrance to the shop. ‘Well, thanks for the escort. Whoever taught you manners should be proud of you.’

‘My grandma.’But she wouldn’t be proud of what he’d done tonight. It was an uncomfortable thought.

‘Well, thank you Liam’s grandma.’

She smiled, and it was so guileless, so open, he felt a twist in his gut. Whether it was another dose of guilt or some other force taking over, he wasn’t sure, but he touched his hand to her face, keen to make sure that at least for now, they would part as friends. ‘Thank you for yesterday, and for tonight. I enjoyed spending time with you.’ Dipping his head, he pressed a soft kiss to her lips. ‘Goodnight, Jade.’

She nodded, her eyes darting over his face, making him wonder what she saw. ‘No thanks needed. In case it wasn’t totally obvious, I had a good time, too.’ After giving him one final look, she pushed open the door to the bookstore.

Sliding his hands into his pockets, he set off back to the boat, not liking how he felt. Instead of relief at the amicable ending of a successful two-night stand, he felt unsettled, a sick feeling in his stomach that he knew would only get worse when she found out who he was. And what he had planned.

ChapterTen

Jade hummed as she opened the box of books that had just been delivered. As per Daisy’s instructions, she set about checking and logging the order. Flo was due any minute and she wondered what her boss would think to the display she’d spent the morning putting together, in between the customers she’d served. She’d gone rainbow crazy, and the colourful theme didn’t just flow through the book stacks on the coffee table and display shelves, it extended to the balloons she’d bought and hung this morning (maybe that did look a bit like a kids party?) and the cushions on the sofa (some found, some borrowed from the resort).

If running a shop was all about making it look impactful, she had this nailed.

‘Hello!’

Jade jumped to her feet, and smiled when she caught sight of the person stepping into the shop. ‘Oh wow, I was just thinking about you, and here you are.’

Flo, looking funky and elegant in a flowing, brightly patterned jumpsuit, smiled back. ‘Here I am.’

‘It’s so fab to finally see you in person after all those frigging Zoom calls.’ Jade rushed up to her, then halted, letting out an embarrassed laugh. ‘I was going to hug you, but then I realised that’s probably not appropriate as you’re my boss.’

Something flashed across the older lady’s face, but before Jade could wonder what was wrong, Flo put her arms round her. ‘We can hug.’

‘I’m so grateful you gave me this opportunity,’ Jade babbled, unable to stop the words flowing. ‘It’s totally awesome to be here. The shop is about the coolest thing I’ve ever seen, and I promise I’m going to do you proud and keep it looking amazing.’ A deep sigh echoed from Flo and as she drew back from the hug, Jade felt a jolt of panic at the expression on her boss’s face. ‘Oh, God, have I mucked up already? I thought it would be okay to rearrange things a bit but?—’

‘Good Lord, you’ve done nothing wrong.’ Flo clasped her hands, ‘It’s me who’s mucked up.’ With a tight nod, she indicated to the squishy sofa. ‘Shall we take a seat?’

‘Um, okay.’ There was something about the pinched way Flo smiled, the stiff way she walked, that spread alarm through Jade as she followed her.

‘There’s no easy way for me to say this,’ Flo began the moment she sat down. ‘I’ve sold the wharf to the resort.’

‘Oh.’ Jade wasn’t sure how to react.

‘It means the bookstore belongs to the new owners, too.’

‘So you’re not going to be my boss anymore?’

‘No.’

The door chime sounded, indicating another customer. They both turned to see who had walked in, and Jade sucked in a breath. She was dimly aware of Flo saying something but she was too distracted by the sight of the man striding in to hear what she said.

Liam, all business in chinos and an expensive-looking blue linen jacket, slid off his shades and headed towards them with a purposeful air.He knows you work here. This isn’t a coincidence.With her heart hammering, she took a moment to remind herself to breathe, another to smile in greeting.

‘Hi. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.’ Had he come to ask her out again? She could barely speak past the wild fluttering in her chest. ‘I didn’t think you liked books.’

‘I don’t.’

His face was guarded, his eyes blank. As if they’d never met. ‘Oh, you don’t have to worry about talking to me in front of Flo. She’s not a customer. Or even my boss, which she would have been if you’d come in five minutes earlier, but apparently she’s sold the shop and now I’ve got a new boss.’

His expression tightened and she wanted to ask why he was acting so weird, but Flo was talking to her and demanding her attention instead. ‘Sorry Flo, what did you say?’

Flo cleared her throat. ‘I said Liam is your new boss.’

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