Page 19 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

Kendra’s blue eyes flashed.“We have a contract.I expect you to email me when you’ve worked out all the options.I’m buying a Harley.”

She glared at her brother, daring him to argue.

He stepped right into her personal space.“Over my dead body.”

“Done.”Her expression was positively gleeful as she flounced out of my store.Somehow she timed it perfectly, and as the bus pulled up to the stop, she gave a little wave.

The driver was only too happy to have such a lovely woman wearing all leather step into his vehicle.

Well, if the goofy grin on his face was any indication.

“Brat.”Half muttered, half cursed.

I held in the laugh.I nearly managed to hold in the smile, but the corners of my mouth twitched.

He glared.Yet something in those blue eyes flared as well.He cocked his head and looked me up and down.Finally, when our gazes clashed again, his eyebrow rose.

Yeah, me too.But you don’t do it for me.I only want Bookstore Dude.

As if reading me correctly, he nodded.“I’m happy you’re here, because we always need company, but I’m pissed as hell that you’re helping my sister.Anything I can do to dissuade you?”

“I was debating putting out a rainbow flag.Too obvious?”

Another cock of the head.“Mission City is moving towards progressive, but you’re still in the Bible Belt of the Fraser Valley.Some are welcoming, some tolerate, some are hostile.”He glanced around the shop.“No idea how your clientele would feel.You out?”

A rather personal question.But one I didn’t mind answering.“I’m not in.I just don’t advertise.”I scratched my nose.“You?”

“Yeah.I run a marketing firm and work for several local businesses.Some chose me because they want to be seen as more inclusive.I don’t mind being the poster boy if it makes Mission City more welcoming.”He eyed me again.“We don’t have a club or anything, but a few of us keep in touch.You looking?I might be able to introduce—”

I cleared my throat.Better to disabuse him of the notion straight away.“I’m, uh, not as I seem.”

This time his entire brow rose.“I wasn’t judging.”

“And I might’ve met someone.”

Are you nuts?Bookstore Dude is a dud.You’ll never make a relationship work with him.

Maybe not.But I was sure going to make an effort.

My gaze must’ve strayed as we spoke because he looked right at the shared wall.He considered, then he smiled.“I’ve been hoping Dickens might meet someone.”

“Oh, we’re not—”

He held up his hand.“I’d never say anything.”He ran a hand through his hair.

Much as Dickens had earlier.

“I hope it works out, because you both deserve happiness.Do I wish you weren’t enabling my sister?Sure.Can I stop the two of you?Obviously not.”He gave one last look around my store and exited.I watched him check the road.When it was clear, he strode across to his nice shiny SUV.Within moments, he pulled out and disappeared.

Well, that was interesting.

I wasn’t sure which piqued my interest more—his offer to set me up, or my swift refusal because I felt like I already had someone in my life.I’d keep Noel’s offer in my back pocket.If Bookstore Dude turned out to be an epic failure, I could always call Uptight Dude for… What?He offered to hook me up.No, introduce me.I warned him I wasn’t what most people expected.Did he understand that meant I liked being dominated?Liked taking it up the ass?

Who cares?

True.If Uptight Dude could set me up, who was I to turn down the offer?Even better if I could find someone I was compatible with.

You’re compatible with Dickens.

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