Page 396 of One More Kiss

Chapter2

My palms are sweaty,my heart is racing, and every single sense of mine is hyperfocused on the back hall where Hawthorne disappeared a few minutes ago.

What is wrong with me?

How can a ten-minute conversation with a person evoke such a strong physical response, let alone the emotional rollercoaster I’m on? I don’t act this way. I don’t get flustered. I don’t get hung up on guys. It just isn’t me.

So, why am I anxious to see him walk back in here and fulfill his promise to take me out?

Drying a cup with a white towel, my attention darts over to the back hall again.

“You okay, there?” Ashton, my manager slash cousin asks.

Nearly dropping the small cup, I clutch my chest and turn to him. “Oh. Hey.”

“Hey,” he returns. “You doing okay?”

“Yup.”

“You sure?”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, Ashton, I’m just dandy, thank you very much. Although, now that you mention it, how generous are you feeling tonight?”

“Are you wanting to take off early for another exam?”

“Maaaaybe?” I lie. I should be asking to get off work so I can study tonight, but going on a date with Silver Fox sounds like a hell of a lot more fun.

“Fine, I’ll have Gibson cover for you––”

“Oh.” I cringe. “You don’t have to do that––”

“We got this. When do you want to leave?”

“Um…” My voice trails off as a certain silver fox rounds the corner from the back hall. “Maybe in fifteen minutes or so? I need to close out a few tabs, but then I’ll be ready.”

“Sounds good. The sooner you get your degree, the better.”

Again, I roll my eyes. “Yeah, yeah. The fate of SeaBird depends on it. You’re starting to sound like my dad.”

“That’s ‘cause Chuck’s a genius who built this business from the ground up and wants to have someone to pass it down to when he retires,” he reminds me before one of the bouncers waves at him from the front. “Look, I gotta go, but head out whenever you’re ready. I’ll chat with Gibbs as soon as I take care of this and fill him in.”

“Thanks, Ash. I owe you one.”

“You owe me a hundred,” he calls over his shoulder as he saunters away.

“Should I be jealous?” a deep, familiar voice questions from my right.

I turn back to Hawthorne in all his gorgeous glory.

“Of my cousin?” I ask. “Hardly.”

Scratching his jaw, he gives me an amused smile. “Are you ready to go?”

My attention flashes from Ashton back to Hawthorne. “You go first. I’ll meet you at the back door.”

His brows furrow. “Something else to hide, Sam?”

“Not sure it would look very good for me to walk out with a customer when I told my cousin that I had to go home and study for a test.”

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