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I step back while she orders, my gaze scanning the people in the store. It's a mix of young professionals on their way home from their offices and parents with kids in tow. The noise level is loud enough to drown out the people ordering but quiet enough to entice me to look for an empty table for us to sit at to enjoy our frozen treat.
I see a man rise from a stool, his order of a pint being pushed across the counter toward him. He turns to leave, but I already know who it is. The back of him is as distinguishable as the front. It's the first time I've seen him in anything other than a suit. Tonight it's gray slacks and a black V-neck T-shirt. He looks elegant in the sea of khaki shorts and tanks tops that are a necessity in August in this city. Even as the calendar marches toward fall, the heat hangs over the city, the humidity heavy.
I look down at the strapless white romper and flat sandals I'm wearing. It's fine for dinner at my apartment and a walk to get ice cream. It's not what I'd ever choose for a chance meeting with Nolan.
"I may be the luckiest man in New York." His voice is deep and delicious as he approaches.
"Why is that?" I ask, my eyes flitting across his face, landing squarely on his ear.
"Out of all the ice cream shops in the city, you walk into mine."
My mouth curves. "Yours? Are you claiming it as your own?"
He steps closer, his fingers grazing my bare shoulder as he shields me from a man pushing his way toward the line. "Am I claiming what as my own, Ellie?"
I shiver, unsure if it's from the intensity of his touch or the air conditioning. "Cremza? Do you own it?"
His eyes settle on the outline of my nipples that have pebbled into stiff points. "I don't. I'm a regular. I live near here."
I cross my arms over my chest wishing I had put on a strapless bra when I decided to venture outside. As much as I try not to, I glance at his ear again. "I don't mean to pry, but is everything all right? You rushed out quickly during our meeting this morning."
He blows a puff of air out from between his lips. "I apologize for that. There was something I had to take care of."
It's a response, intentionally vague. I don't know him well enough to press for more. Not on that subject at least. His ear is an entirely different topic and I'm too curious about that to ignore it.
"I didn't realize you had a pierced ear."
His fingers follow the path of my gaze to his ri
ght ear. They flutter over the lobe and the red and black crystal ladybug stud that is there. "It's not pierced. This is a clip-on."
"A clip-on?" I step closer to get a better look.
He leans in until his breath is brushing over my cheek. "You smell incredible. It's Matiz Mist, isn't it? Matiz Mist and you."
"Why are you wearing a ladybug earring?" I tuck my hair behind both of my ears.
"I misplaced the butterfly one."
I stand in silence. I have no idea how to respond to that. Luckily, Adley approaches with a pink cardboard cup filled with my favorite ice cream in one hand and two white plastic spoons in the other.
"Randy's here." Her voice is shaky as she pushes the ice cream toward me. She doesn't look in Nolan's direction at all. "He brought Liam with him. He's totally into you, Bean."
I glance at the entrance to the shop. I see two of the men from last night. I know, just by their appearance, which one is Randy. His eyes are locked on Adley. He's dressed as Nolan was earlier, in a tailored dark suit complete with gray patterned tie.
Liam is the opposite. His shoulder length dirty blonde hair is pulled back into a messy bun on his head. His jaw is covered with a beard. Last night he was wearing a dark, long-sleeved sweater and jeans. Today it's the same jeans, but the tight white T-shirt he has on emphasizes how muscular he is and shows off the black and gray tattoos that cover his arms.
He turns heads, both men and women gawk as he approaches. It's not surprising. The man is a full foot taller than me. He hovers right around the six foot five mark.
"Ellie," he says my name casually. "How's my favorite redhead?"
Annoyed. I didn't take his number last night because I wasn't interested in seeing him again. He's a nice guy, but he's not my type at all. I prefer my men all cleaned up, polished and put together. Liam doesn't press any of my hot buttons.
I feel a brush against my arm as Nolan extends his hand past me. "I'm Nolan Black. I work with Ellie. It's nice to meet you."
"Liam Wolf. My friends call me Wolf." Liam grabs Nolan's hand and gives it a firm shake. "We've met before, haven't we?"
"It's possible." Nolan's jaw clenches. The earring is gone, the only hint that it was ever there is the fading red spot on his earlobe. "I have an ice cream delivery to make. It was good to meet you, Liam. Until tomorrow, Ellie."
