Page 13 of The Photograph

His lips twitch. “Do you want some company?”

Gabe Matthews, you’re full of surprises.I tilt my head to the side. “To the market? Have you ever been to a craft market?”

Gabe’s smile widens. “No, I can’t say that I have.”

I lower my voice to a whisper. “No one’s perfect, but I promise, I’ll be gentle.”

His wide chest shakes under his quiet laughter as he dips his chin. “I appreciate that. Shall we take my car?”

Once in his car, even though my stomach buzzes and knots at the same time, I enjoy the pleasant ride. We talk mainly about Holloway House and with the windows down while the cool breeze whips through my hair, I nestle deeper in my seat. By the time we arrive at the market, I’m more relaxed, but the flutter in my stomach is still abuzz.

We fall into an easy rhythm as we stroll the market’s grounds where rows of colorful stalls are neatly aligned on both sides of the graveled, wide pathway. We cross just a few passersby, but in a couple of hours, the popular market will be heaving with locals and tourists alike. Uxbridge market shot to mitigated stardom a few years ago after a celebrity stylist gushed about it online, and one of her clients was photographed wearing a unique—moderately priced—neckpiece to announce her engagement to her famous girlfriend.

“Hey, Aelin.”

“Hey, Mona”

I pull Gabe toward the jewelry stall where the rainbow-colored dreadlocked, smiling woman leans over the display to kiss my cheek.

When she sets her warm brown gaze on Gabe, I touch Gabe’s arm.

“Mona, this is Gabe. This is his first time here.”

Mona’s dangling earrings catch the rays of the sun as she grins. “Ah. Nobody’s perfect. Pleased to meet you, Gabe.”

Gabe’s lips twitch as he shakes her hand adorned with rings on each finger. “So I’ve been told. Same here, Mona.”

My friend lifts her index finger before ducking under the table full of exquisite earrings and gemmed baubles. She springs back up with a deep green velvet square box and hands it to me.

“My sister sent me this from London and I immediately thought of you.”

I grin and open the box.Oh, my.The antique pendant is absolutely beautiful. Made of burnished silver with an intricate loop encasing a long teardrop mounted in clear stone.

Holding the pendant against my skin, I peer up at Gabe. “What do you think?”

When he leans in, the warmth of his body against mine makes me shiver.

“It’ll be beautiful on you,” he says in that baritone timbre I’m starting to like beyond reason.

Sold.I reach inside my bag and frown.Oh, no.I rummage through the leather pouch.Flipping shoot.Groaning while my face catches fire, I set the box on the wooden table draped in black velvet, rummage some more, and sigh.

“Mona, will you keep it until next week for me? I left my wallet at home.”

Mona’s wrinkled hand taps gently on mine. “Why don’t you take it and pay me next week?”

I bend over the stall to peck Mona’s cheek. “You’re the best, Mona. But I’ll pick it up next week.”

“So stubborn,” Mona says with a shake of her head, but her eyes are smiling as she waves us goodbye.

Gabe and I spend the next twenty minutes wading through the market during which I pick up a few more items and order a couple of candelabras for Holloway’s fireplace. As we circle back near Mona’s stall, I touch his arm.

“So, how was your first market day?”

My too-sexy employer sets his dark eyes on mine, and his lips twitch.

“Am I perfect now?”

I love his voice.I can’t help but grin. “Not yet, but it’s a good start.”

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