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As much as I may be in love with the piece of furniture—so much so that it’s beginning to feel like another sentient object—I also know I can’t afford to pay for the shipping. Lucky for me, there’s a man with a truck who doesn’t seem to be able to say no to me.
It probably helps that I use a little drama to get my way.
Me
SOS meet me at the antique shop right now
Sterling
Are you having an antique emergency?
Me
I’m so serious
Sterling
okay, okay. I’m coming
Me
bring your truck
Most people would totally freak out at these kinds of texts, but Sterling takes them in stride. He’s good like that.
And nothing more, though I can’t deny that Sterling looks good with the backdrop of the setting sun shining behind his head. There’s a hint of a smile on his lips when he steps inside, his head cocked as his eyes drag over me.
“What do we have here?” he asks.
“A new vanity.” I clasp my hands together and swing back and forth, peering up at Sterling hopefully. “Don’t you think it would look perfect in my room?”
“I do.” He runs his fingers over the dark wood. “Well made. Pretty. You like this gold? It’s kind of aged, but we can replace it.”
“Don’t you dare. I love it.”
He wets his lips. “Then you need me here for…?”
I step closer, batting my eyelashes. “To help me get this inside with all your big, strapping muscles.” I squeeze his arm and stand on my tiptoes. “And transportation, obviously. Your truck.”
He bends lower, his lips brushing against mine. In public. How scandalous. “You’re using me.”
“You like it.”
“I don’t mind.” He chuckles and presses his lips against mine in a kiss that’s too sweet. Too brief. “There’s no point in having a truck if I don’t use it to help the people I care about.”
The people he cares about.
Gods, my belly swoops. I don’t want him to make me feel that way. Does he know what he’s doing to me?
On second thought, I’d rather he didn’t.
He continues as if he didn’t say anything out of place. “I think we should take the mirror off for transport. Don’t worry, I brought my tools. That’ll make it easier to get upstairs and less chance of it breaking.”
“Promise?”
“Promise. And I’ll put it back together for you.”
I squeeze his hand hard. “You’re the best! I already paid.”
