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“What are you doing?”
“I have to set up. I have an author due in about thirty minutes to sign books. Look, people are already starting to arrive.” His head turns to where I nod outside and then he steps closer to me. I’m about to tell him to back off and fuck off, but he speaks before I can.
“What can I do?”
“You want to help?” I ask, my head rearing back, stunned.
“Yes, did I stutter?” he answers as if it’s nothing.
“No, but…” I shake my head at him and look out the door at the mounting crowd that is going to be inside shortly, then back to him. “Okay, you can help. Can you please start grabbing the chairs from the back office and bring them out?” He leans down just a little, so his breath tickles my neck.
“Joey.”
“Hmm?”
“What are you doing?”
“You have something on your neck,” he says. I reach up to touch it, but his hand captures mine. “I can get it.” His fingers touch my neck, tickling almost, and I know he is lingering longer than he should.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Just fluff.” He steps around me. “But don’t worry, I got it.” Then he goes to the back room, and my arms are covered in goosebumps from the interaction.
Managing to shake his close proximity off, I get back to work. He brings out every chair and even manages to move one of the shelves for me to make more room in the tight space.
When he’s done and the room is set up, the author enters the shop. I smile back at Joey and go over to talk to her. The line outside is long—at least over a hundred people waiting—and I’m so excited to host my first ever book signing. I’ve been following this author’s work for ages, and I admire the way she sucks you into the story from the prologue.
Joey slips out the back as the room becomes more crowded, and as it’s finishing up a few hours later, I go into my office to find him sitting at my desk, his legs up, his phone on, and a plate of sushi next to my laptop.
“Eat,” he commands. I’m about to tell him no, but he pushes the food my way without looking and stays glued to whatever is on his phone.
“Sailor has been hooked on this show, Euphoria. Have you seen it?” he asks, his eyes finally leaving the screen to lock on mine.
I hate that his eyes are so beautiful.
So damn captivating.
He doesn’t have to say much to mean much because those eyes say it all.
“No, I don’t watch much TV. I read.”
He nods as if he gets it. “It’s good. You should give it a go.”
“I’ll think about it.” I pick up the first piece of sushi and then say, “Thank you for this.”
“You’re welcome.” He glances at me and goes back to his show.
“Do you think we’ll last?” I ask him the question that’s been circling in my mind all day every day because really, how is this ever going to work long-term?
He pauses his show, shifts his feet down off my desk, and sits up straight.
“Last?” he asks, leaning forward.
“Yes, us.” I wave a finger between us, popping another piece of sushi into my mouth.
“I don’t intend to marry another woman in my lifetime.”
“That could change. I’m sure your brother didn’t want to either, yet he did.” I shrug.
