Page 13 of Sweet Chaos
“Yes.”
He moved on to the surfboards in the rack and studied the design on each one. “Did you design that denim jacket in the shop on Main Street?”
“Lillidiva? Yeah, why?” I capped my marker and looked over at him. It had been four days since I saw him at the diner. Four days since he wiped the chocolate off my lip. Four days since I told Ollie we were better as friends.
“Where else do you sell your designs?”
“Why are you suddenly so interested in fashion and design?”
“I don’t give a shit about fashion or design. I’m asking you where else you sell your shit.”
“Myshitis only sold here…. the surfboards, T-shirts and hoodies. And I have a few pieces at Lillidiva.”
“Starlet Woods.” Heat crept up my neck and stained my cheeks. Yes, I’d used his nickname for me, but I’d never expected him to notice or seek out my designs.
I stood up and walked over to the shelves and I refolded the T-shirts and hoodies he’d rifled through.
“Is that what you want? To have your own shop?”
“Someday, I guess. Not a fancy clothing boutique though. More like a design studio. Surfboards, skateboards, denim jackets, T-shirts… home accessories…” I swept my hand in the air to indicate that I wanted all that and more.
“You don’t want to limit yourself.”
“Right.”
“I could help you set up your own shop.”
“I’m a long way off from that.”
“I’m talking about an online shop.”
“Why would you do that for me?”
“I’m all about helping to make dreams come true.”
I snorted. “Since when?”
“Since today.” I smoothed my palm over a coral T-shirt on top of the stack then turned around and smacked into Dylan’s chest. His hands wrapped around my upper arms to steady me. It had the opposite effect. My heart was beating so hard I wouldn’t be surprised if he could hear it.
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t calm my racing thoughts.
The top of my head fit perfectly under his chin. What I wouldn’t give to just lay my head on his chest and wrap my arms around him. I shook my head, trying to shake off those thoughts and side-stepped around him since he didn’t seem inclined to move out of my way. Why was he all up in my space today?
“Where’s Rem?” he asked.
“She went to get some food. She was craving fish tacos.”
“That kid’s gonna come out looking like a fish taco.”
I returned to the surfboard I was painting and tried to concentrate on the design. “Could be worse. The baby could look like this jellyfish.”
“That would be scary as fuck.”
We both laughed.
He crouched in front of me and I lifted my head, my eyes locking onto his blue-grays. Up close, with only a surfboard between us, this felt far too intimate. My gaze lowered from his firm, square jaw to the veiny tattooed forearms resting on his black jean-clad thighs. The view did nothing to calm my racing pulse. “Did you dump the ex, Starlet?”
“He’s my best friend. It’s complicated. Why do you even care?”
