Page 3 of Paper and Passion
I don’t know exactly how the curse on the shop works, or how it came to be, just that sometimes the store can pop smoothly from one place to the next, and other times it lifts on something like stilts and lumbers around town in plain view. Somehow, it knows to avoid tourists, but locals are no stranger to seeing the place walking around.
Today was a popping in and out of existence kind of day. Which I prefer, since it’s smoother. One second we’re in one place, then there’s a pressure feeling like your ears are popping, everything vibrates for a few minutes, then we’re somewhere new. Apparently, my potential employees didn’t care for it.
But, hey, at least we’re no longer parked in the middle of the baseball field.
After the last applicant sprints out the door, I check to see where we’ve ended up this time. We’re next to the Ruff N’ Tumble Pet Store. It’s a cute little shop, but the last time Sheet-y parked here the owner dragged mud all through the store chasing after a loose foxkin.
“Maybe Sheet-y is trying to tell me to give up on an employee and get a cat instead,” I grumble, heading to the back.
I need to restock the wedding invitations. It’s a new section of the store, but we’ve had so many people coupling up lately in Ghostlight Falls that it’s now the most profitable section. I always avoid restocking it though, because it reminds me of what I thought I had and the wedding that never happened.
I was really hoping I could put a new employee in charge of this.
The store isn’t really making enough to justify a new employee, but we’re in the black by more than we were when my grandma ran the place, and I was hoping having someone else here would curb my loneliness and give me more time for my true passion: Teddy Bear design.
The back of the store is a mess. There are boxes of paper and pens and crafting supplies everywhere. Organization is really not a strength of mine. Yet another thing I was hoping an employee could help with.
“Where the hell did I put the new invitations?” I bend over, crawl half under the table and dig through the open boxes I shoved back there after the last delivery. By the third box, I’m tempted to just give up, but Olivia and Arnold Jr. are supposed to stop in later today to look at new invitations for their upcoming wedding, so I really need to find the ones I ordered. Her soon-to-be husband has a bit of a temper, and you really don’t want to anger a goatman.
The bell over the shop door rings. I don’t get up. Most customers like to look around for a bit before they buy. I’ll just find what I’m looking for and then go back out.
“Hello?” A feminine voice calls. There’sthis sultry edge to it that makes something deep inside me wake up and take notice. “Is anyone here? I’d like to talk about the job opening sign in the window.”
“Back here,” I holler, staying on task. Those invitations have got to be here somewhere. Besides, if whoever just walked in works out, they’ll become well acquainted with my mess soon enough. May as well get the inevitable out of the way. They probably won’t stick around anyway.
I crawl further under the table, ass in the air, and reach for the little box at the back. This has to be it.
“Fuck,” I curse. It’s a box of scrapbooking supplies. Where the hell are those invitations?
I crawl backwards out from under the table, then sit on my heels to brush the dust from my jeans. Yeah, I’m really not great at cleaning either.
With a sigh, I move to stand, but that’s when I notice the expensive black heels just a few feet in front of me. My gaze travels up slowly, skimming over smooth legs to a tight dress that shows off full thighs, a narrow waist, and beautifully rounded breasts. I’m halfway to standing when I see the woman’s crooked smile, and my knees go weak. Ialways thought that was just an expression, but as I’m falling backwards, I realize it’s not.
My ass hits a box, crumpling it as my back collides with the table.
The stunning woman takes hold of my elbow, steadying me. Her hands are soft, long nails painted a stunning purple that matches her… hair? No, it’s not hair. It’s tentacles. She’s got bright purple tentacles on her head.
It’s not terribly surprising—we get all kinds in Ghostlight Falls, though not everyone knows it—but I’ve never seen anyone like this before. She’s beautiful. I can’t look away. Her tentacles move as if in a breeze or like they’re swaying to music.
Oh! I forgot to turn on the background music in the shop this morning. I slap my forehead with my palm and curse under my breath. It’s not like it’s a big deal, but it’s yet another thing I keep messing up. And it usually helps calm the building, so it doesn’t move as much. If I’d put on the music, would I have an employee already?
“What’s wrong, pretty girl?” The woman runs a hand down my arm. I shiver from the electricity in her touch and nearly moan. Apart from a quick, and regrettable, hookup with a girl from the military base I met at Kyle’s one night, I’ve been mostly unintentionally celibatesince my failed attempt at matrimony two years ago. I haven’t even felt interested in anyone.
Until now.
That one touch has me vibrating as much as when Sheet-y moves.
Wait, is Sheet-y moving?
No, still staying put. That’s at least good.
The woman is looking at me like she’s waiting for something, and I suddenly realize she asked me a question. What was it? “Um… I’m… uh… fine.”
Her knowing smirk is smug, but it doesn’t come off as annoying or cocky. It’s sexy. So damn sexy.
I clear my throat and try to stand, but end up tripping on her foot and landing right back where I started with a loudoomph.
“Here.” She takes hold of my hands and pulls me up. The momentum is more than I expect, so I stumble forward. Right into her.
