Page 48 of Touch My Shelves

The bell above the door rings and my mouth drops open.

“Naudi?” I ask, because I can’t believe my eyes. My best friend is here. On Faire Island. Then I take a closer look at her weary face. She isn’t here for a visit. Something’s happened to cause those bags under her eyes and the look of despair on her face.

She sees me and gives a watery smile. We meet in the middle of the store and our arms go around her other in a hug. I notice the stillness in the room and three sets of men’s eyes are on us.

“Come on, leave your suitcase here and let’s go upstairs.” At some point, it will be my apartment, but at the moment, its purpose is storing boxes for the business and a mish-mash of donated furniture. I take her by the hand and lead her up the stairs and into the apartment.

One of the donated items is a sofa bed and it’s really not bad. I wouldn’t have chosen the mauve fabric, but it’s sturdy and the bed’s kinda comfy. I push Naudi towards it and I grab us each a bottle of water from the mini-fridge in the kitchen. I hand it off to her and curl up on the cushion beside her. “Okay, spill. What happened? And I bet you a hundred bucks Dane is involved.”

Emotions build on her face and tears pool in her eyes. “You would win. Dane took the credit for my designs. I didn’t even get a byline.”

I sit straight, my blood boiling. I knew the man was a leech. “That no good, lying asshole! You can’t let him get away with that, Naudi.”

She dabs at her eyes and shakes her head. “I quit.”

“What? You quit?”

“I not only quit, I also boxed up everything I own and it’s in a container bound for Faire Island. I know I should have called you, but everything happened so fast and I was only thinking of leaving that place. Please tell me the offer of a store and an apartment is still on the table.”

“Yes, sweetie. Of course it is. But you can’t let Dane just have your designs. You’ll be giving up a huge chunk on money.”

“You know, Poppy, I could fight him over it and all it would do is end up bankrupting me and giving me a bad name in the fashion industry. Dane knows my hands are tied. I just want to cut my losses and move forward.”

“What are you thinking about doing?”

“I don’t know. It’s taken all of my brain power to get myself here. I don’t really have a plan after that. I suppose start a lingerie line. My pieces have sold here. Then maybe branch out from there. I’ll have my machines when the container gets here and you know how I hoard material. I might be able to get set up before the end of the year.”

I lean in and give her a hug. “I’m trying my best to be compassionate about what’s happened to you but, honestly, I’m so out of this world excited that you’re here. And going into business with me.”

“From the little I saw of your store, things are looking up for you.”

“Oh, you have no idea.”

Her brow quirks up and some of the old Naudi resurfaces. “Did I see three cover models working down there?”

I chuckle. She isn’t wrong; they are handsome. “Those are Brax’s friends. They’re here visiting, but today they decided to help me work on the shop. There’s still so much to do before opening day.”

“Well, put me to work. Will I be able to stay here tonight?”

“Yes, to putting you to work. No, to staying here. You’ll be coming home with me.”

“To the castle? Are you sure?”

“Of course. It’s a castle. I’m sure there are plenty of bedrooms.”

“Hey, do you know what would make a big splash at your opening?” she asks, but doesn’t wait for a response. “Having theBJ Sully do an author signing. You’d have folks lined up out the door just to meet him.”

That she thinks it’s that easy makes me snicker. “That’s not how it works. It would take months to get something like that in place, even if his people would allow him to promote a small independent bookseller. Besides, I’d never ask him to. He values his privacy.”

Naudi gets a stunned look on her face and she sits up on the edge of the sofa, staring at me. “Oh, no. You’re sleeping with him?”

“What? Why? How?” I slump, knowing I’m busted. “Okay, fine, yes. But you can’t tell anyone.”

“Look at Ms. I’m-Keeping-it-Professional getting her some from the boss man.”

“Really, Naudi, nobody knows, especially Freeya.”

“Does that mean you’re his dirty little secret?”

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