Page 3 of Playful Summer

“Hi, can I help you find something?” he asks, his voice is smooth and deep.

“I—um. N-no, thank you. Are you Rhett’s brother?” I sound like an idiot.

And there’s that smile again. “I am. My name is Paxton.”

“I’m Piper, Emiko’s friend.”

“So you’re the one I’m making this for.” He nods to the table.

“Guilty. And it looks awesome, thank you so much.”

I never thought I actually believed in love at first sight. Even if I write about it. I believe in lust at first sight. But love? No way…until Paxton. It sounds ridiculous, even in my head. How do you love someone before you even know them? I don’t know. But I feel like I already do.

“I’m sorry,” I say when I realize I’ve been staring at him this whole time. “I’ll let you get back to work.”

I start to walk away and he grabs my hand.

“You’re welcome to stay and keep me company. You could let me know where you want your shelf. I made a stand that will sit on the table. Give me a second, I’ll go and get it.”

I nod as I hold onto his hand.

“You could come with me,” he leans towards me and whispers in my ear. Holy shit he’s sexy.

“Piper!” we hear Emiko calling to me.

I tear my eyes away from Paxton’s face. Emiko and Rhett are smiling as they walk up to us.

“I see you met my brother.” Rhett smiles.

I nod at them. “He was showing me the table he made.”

“That’s not all it looks like he’s showing you.” Emiko snickers.

Again,formerbest friend.

Paxton

When Rhett asked me to make the table and display, I was annoyed. After meeting Piper? I’ll build her anything she wants.

“Do you think we can use this table for a signing?” Emiko asks.

“Signing?” I ask.

“Yeah, I want Piper to have her own book signing here in Wintervale.”

“You’re crazy.” Piper laughs.

“Don’t listen to her. She needs more signings and I know Felicity will back me on this.”

“What am I backing you on?” Felicity asks as she walks over.

“I was saying I would love for Piper to have her own signing, here in the store,” Emiko says.

“I love that idea! I can start setting it up. We could do it this weekend. In fact we can do once a month if you want. I’M SO EXCITED!” Felicity giggles as she runs back to her register.

“You’re all nuts. No one’s going to come and see me.”

“Of course they will,” I say as I stare at her.

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