Page 7 of Paper and Passion
“Um… yes?” No one’s ever been so direct about their intentions with me. It’s nice, but a little intimidating.
She’sintimidating.
Gorgeous. Confident. Perfectly put together. Her purse and nails match. Her makeup is flawless. I bet she folds her underwear instead of just cramming them in a drawer.
Meanwhile, here I am in the same jeans I’ve worn the last three days in a row. No makeup. Chipped nails. Hair thrown in a greasy ponytail. And my underwear drawer looks like a tornado hit and stuffed it full of comfortable cotton grannie panties.
Casting a beautiful smirk in my direction, she walks behind the counter and starts straightening the rack of impulse purchase items like gum and breathmints. That’s probably something else I need.
I sigh and turn away, returning to the storage room. The broom is normally in the back cupboard, but it’s not there. I probably left it somewhere around the shop, forgetting to put it away when I got distracted.
Okay, when was the last time I saw it? My gaze flicks around the back room. There’s not a lot of places it could be. It’s not in the front. At least, I don’t think so. Alright, bathroom. Probably. Yeah.
Just as I find it in the corner behind the door, I hear the bell on the main door ring. Grabbing the broom, I head back to the front to check on Alex.
She’s leaning over the counter, kissing the most attractive man I’ve ever seen. My first thought is,holy hell, that’s hot. My second is,how the fuck could I be so stupid?
I don’t realize I’ve gasped until they both turn to look at me.
The man has tentacles instead of hair, just like Alex. Pointed ears, just like Alex. A perfect physique, just like Alex. Of course, she’d fall for him instantly. They’re probably one of those types that have fated mates or whatever. It’s so obvious that they’re meant to be together. I bet he just walked in and knew. Then, a second later, they’re kissing like they’ve been together for years.
I guess that’s that.
It shouldn’t hurt as much as it does, but I suddenly feel like crying.
“Oh, Tillie, good.” Alex turns to me, as calm and collected as ever. “I’d like you to meet my husband, Adrian.”
Husband?!
Shit. She was flirting with me—more than flirting with me—while in a committed relationship! She licked my ear! She told me she was interested in me. This is so not okay. I won’t be that woman. How is she so calm about this?
My chest caves in, stomach heavy to the point of feeling nauseous. I think I might actually throw up. My hand goes to my mouth. It’s not like we did anything. But I can’t describe the waves of emotion crashing over me.Jealousy. Guilt. Shame. Grief. So much unexplainable grief.
“I’m sorry. I thought…” I can’t finish, instead turning and running to the back room.
“Tillie!” Alex calls out.
Why does the way she says my name have to sound so seductive? My name never sounds seductive. Especially when someone’s yelling it. Tillie is all cuteness and chaos. Not sexy.
But she makes me feel sexy.
“Let me,” the man’s voice is just as knee-weakening. It’s gravelly, but somehow lyrical at the same time.
Just before I slam the door shut, a masculine hand shoves between the wood and the doorframe. I step backwards as he opens it. I’m breathing hard, eyes stinging with tears I know I have no right to shed.
Despite his large size, there’s a gentleness to his expression that contrasts nicely with his sharp jawline. “Alex is going to watch the front while we talk.”
Sinking onto the closest box, I drop my head into my hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so upset. It’s just…”
“My wife made quite the impression.”
“Nothing happened!” My head shoots up. Which is a mistake because I catch the heatedway his gaze drops over me. My breath hitches.
“I wouldn’t care if it did,” he says in a deep rumble. “In fact, I love that she caused this kind of reaction in you.” He pauses for a moment. His head tilts to the side, gaze softening from heat to something almost tender. “It gives me hope.”
“Oh? Oh!” I realize what this is with a stark slap of clarity. “You’re trying to save your marriage.”
“No, we’re trying to save our species.”
