Page 35 of Arranged Control
I glare at her. “I don’t touch his clothes.”
“That’s shocking. I honestly can’t imagine you living with someone else andnotconstantly organizing all their stuff.”
I steadfastly stare at my screen. “We don’t live together.”
“You don’t? I thought that was happening?”
“It’s coming, but we haven’t exactly agreed on the logistics.”
She looks like she wants to answer, but the door opens and the bell chimes. A man enters, walking in with a slight swagger and confidence, and it takes me a moment before I recognize him.
Finn Whelan. Seamus’s younger brother. He’s handsome and charming. We’ve spoken a few times but only at the wedding. I don’t actually know him at all, and I have no idea what he’s doing here.
“Hello, newest member of my family,” he says as he walks over. The guy oozes confidence. I’m actually kind of jealous. “How’s business today?”
“Everything’s doing great. Uh, is everything okay with Seamus?”
Finn waves a hand. “Who knows? Who cares? I’m here to check out the shop. Mind if I browse?”
“Please, go ahead.” I share a look with Kira. Her eyebrows are straight up to her hairline.
Who is the hottie?she mouths.
I nudge her with my elbow.
Finn whistles as he moves through the store. Once he’s around the corner in the smaller men’s section, I lean in and whisper, “That’s my brother-in-law. Remember him?”
Kira shakes her head. “Wedding’s a blur, honestly, on account of the murder and the general weird vibes.”
“That’s fair. His name’s Finn.”
“Know anything about him? Like is he single and looking for a pretty young girlfriend to spoil?”
“Please don’t hit on him.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I glare at her. “Kira. I’m serious.”
She puts a hand over her heart. “You wound me, madam. How dare you cast aspersions on my honesty.”
I narrow my eyes. “Kira. I’m serious!”
“Good day to you.” She turns her back on me. “I will be helping the young gentleman shortly.”
“I know you’re lying when you start doing your weird Victorian England impression!”
“Balderdash!!” She glides away after Finn, and I’m left alone up front groaning to myself.
This can’t be good. Seamus’s family has never come to my boutique before, and no part of me thinks Finn’s here just to get to know me. That means something’s going on, and now I have to wait for the axe to drop.
Kira stays with Finn for a little while, and I do my best to ignore them as she gives him a tour around the store. I glare at the numbers, pissed at them for not calming me down like they normally do. Eventually, Kira chooses a bunch of clothes for Finn to try on, and I swear she’s about to invite herself into the dressing room with him.
It doesn’t come to that.
“I like him,” she says with a deep sigh. “Tall. Handsome. Very Irish.”
“Criminal,” I mutter.
