When her body settled down, allowing her to function normally, Lauren carried the mirror into the shop and placed it on the counter. “If Susan doesn’t love it, she can always bring it back and exchange it for something else.”
Jack flipped over the little white tag, revealing the price, and whistled. “My mother sure does have expensive taste.”
Guilt gnawed at her for showing him such an expensive item. “I have candlesticks which are much cheaper, and I’m sure she’d like those too.”
She started to pick the mirror up to take it back to her office, but he placed a hand on it, stopping her. “If I want to get back into her good books, I better make it great.” “Having you home will be enough for Susan. She doesn’t need gifts.” “How she has you fooled.” He chuckled.
His smooth laugh sent a shiver up and down her spine. Damn, she needed to get him out of the shop. The sooner the better.
Lauren carefully placed the mirror in a box, wrapped it up in pretty pink and white paper, and attached an elaborate pale blue bow in the corner. After ringing up the sale, she wished him luck with his mother and led him to the door.
“Thanks for opening for me.” He held out his hand, and she had no other choice but to take it. A quick, feather-light stroke of his thumb brushing along her fingers had Lauren sucking in a soft gasp.Did his gaze just drop to my lips?
She let go of his hand as if burned by hot coals and leaned past him to open the door, making every effort for their bodies not to touch.
He stepped onto the street filling up with partygoers and said, “Happy New Year,
Lauren.”
“Happy New Year, Jack.” She quickly averted her gaze and closed the door with a resoundingclick.
Turning her back toward the man that had barreled into her shop and upset her senses, Lauren walked over to turn the lights off, but before she did, she took a moment to glance around the room. She was proud of her shop—Everything Nice—with its mixture of what she believed to be beautiful and feminine. She stocked everything from unique and unusual homewares, pictures, tea sets, and clocks to more personal items such as jewelry, perfumes, and lingerie.
Lauren began working at Everything Nice when she started university, then, two years ago, she bought the business from her boss and wonderful friend Lillian. When Lauren took over, it only needed a fresh coat of paint and a revamp of the tired-looking sign on the front window. Now, with Lauren’s name on the paperwork, the responsibility of keeping it successful lay on her shoulders.
Lauren never thought she’d be a shop owner. She’d spent her first year at university studying to be a lawyer. Her job at Everything Nice was only meant to be temporary; something to help pay her uni fees. But her heart had never truly been satisfied with the career path she’d chosen. It had just been her way of showing her family how far she’d come without any help from them. But while working in the shop she’d discovered her creative side and her happy place. So when her life came crashing down hard in her second year of law school she didn’t think twice about giving up her degree and working full-time with Lillian. If it weren’t for Lillian and her shop, she didn’t know where she’d be right now. She had Lillian, Ava, and Jade, to thank for keeping her from falling apart.
She was satisfied with her life now, and she didn’t need some Mr. Pretty barging into it and upsetting everything. But hopefully she’d never see this Mr. Pretty again. Sighing, she turned the lights off and headed for home.
Chapter Two
Lauren pulled into her driveway to find Ava and Jade sitting on the little brick fence in front of the house she shared with Lillian. Grocery bags overflowing with enough food and alcohol for a dozen people sat by their feet.
Groaning her frustration, because she’d hoped for a quiet night alone, she blew out a long breath and got out of the car. The late afternoon sky had turned a deep orange, and a slight breeze played with the strands of hair around her face. Lauren folded her arms across her chest as she made her way over to them, silently praying there weren’t more people hidden.
“You girls promised me you were going to some big New Year’s Eve party this year,” Lauren said.
Her two closest friends shared a guilty look between them. Even though neither one of them were currently involved, Lauren knew they wouldn’t have any problem finding someone to share a New Year’s kiss with. Ava was tall, dark, and exotic with sultry brown eyes and an olive complexion, while Jade was petite with a fiery mop of auburn hair and sparkling blue eyes.
“You are our big New Year’s Eve party,” Ava said with a mischievous look in her eyes.
“Please don’t get mad,” Jade said. “We know you didn’t want to go out to a party, so we brought the party to you.”
Darting her gaze past them, Lauren had a mental image of people jumping out from behind the bushes and yellingSurprise!
Jade must have sensed Lauren’s distress and quickly added, “It’s only us and plenty of junk food and wine.”
“You told me you weren’t going to babysit me this year. I had plans to soak in a hot bath and relax. I’ve had a busy week, and I’m tired. I’m not going to be very good company.”
“Don’t worry.” Ava linked her arm through Lauren’s, leaving Jade to collect the bags.
“You can have your bath and we’ll bring the party into the bathroom while you soak.”
Lauren shook her head and laughed. “Why did I think you would actually listen to me this year?”
“We will listen to you when you start talking sense.” Ava pulled her up the stairs. “But for now, it’s time to open a bottle of Merlot.”
* * * *
