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Chapter Twenty-Eight
Latham
I’m pissed.
Samuel, Jensen, Rhenn, Dad, and I have been setting up the new space all morning, getting everything ready for the big reveal and grand opening next week. It’s hot, tedious work, but it’s going smoothly, considering I have a lot of extra hands to help move in all the new shelving units, build the metal display structures, and start to stock the shelves – or most of them. We’ve put our noses to the grind and have gotten shit done.
Until Felicity disappears.
“Where the fuck did she go?” I bellow in the empty (fortunately) store.
“Latham, settle down. I’m sure she’s around here,” my dad says, always trying to appease me. He heads to the back of the store once more, while I head out the back to see if she’s in the lumber yard.
She’s not there, of course, so I head back inside. “Anything?” I ask, coming in the back door.
“No,” Dad says, scratching his head.
“Knowing Felicity, she went for a coffee run or something,” Jensen says, and he’s probably right.
“Did she tell you she was leaving?” I ask my dad, who just shakes his head.
“You guys go back to the addition and finish up. I’ll stay up here and man the counter,” he says.
“You’re retired, old man,” I smart off, a smile on my face.
“Pfff, that might be the case, but I was running this place when you were still shitting yourself at home. I think I can manage to ring out a few customers over the next hour or two,” Dad retorts with a wide smile that matches my own.
“Thanks,” I tell him, following Harper’s family into the new part of the store. It doesn’t go unnoticed when I called in for reinforcements this morning, her family came running. I called Samuel, who was all too thrilled to help put the finishing touches on the building. He had stayed last night to help, and it was only fitting he was here for the final steps. And when he told me he’d make a few calls for manual labor, I wasn’t surprised to see Jensen and Rhenn in tow.
“Let’s get this done,” Rhenn says, slapping me on the upper back and heading back into the other room.
I follow the guys, loving the nearly finished product of a long week’s hard work. The building itself was in great shape. It was an open space, which didn’t require much demo. The biggest part of tearing out the old drywall and exposing the beautiful brick underneath, just the way Harper and Free suggested. The rest of the interior work was a quick refinish of the floors and some updating in the storage area.
Now, we’re setting it all up – or at least, most of it.
Some of the areas, primarily the front of the room, will have to wait. New product is expected to arrive very soon, but I’m still taking extreme care of making sure the area is just right. Rhenn helped me carry in the two large units, and they’re positioned front and center, facing the new window. I can practically see the new stuff on the shelves, in prime location for patrons.
Jensen and Samuel have been focusing on the back half of the room. The younger brother was like a kid in a candy store when he started unboxing and setting up all the new outdoor tools. He knew my general concept, and from what I saw each time I popped back there, he’s following my ideas to a T. He’s also made a few tiny changes, grouping items together that are more logical, and arranging items on the shelves for convenience of the shopper.
Rhenn and I bring in the final touches to the front half of the room: the bench storage. Dad helps hold the doors, which is a tight fit, but we make it. Just as we’re setting it down by the window, I hear the bell sound over the door. I pay no attention to who’s coming in, especially because Dad’s over there to help, and keep my focus on reassembling my bench.
“I’m back!”
My back straightens and I glance to the doorway between the two buildings. Felicity comes flitting in, shaking her hips like it’s her fucking job. She’s wearing a bright smile, flashing her pearly whites at anyone who glances her way. It’s what’s in her hand that has my full attention now. She’s carrying a white bag with a familiar logo on the side. My heart starts to beat like a fucking snare drum in my chest.
“Where the fuck have you been?” I ask, my tone harsh and aggressive.
“Shopping!” she coos, waving her Kiss Me Goodnight bag in front of my face.
“Why? You’re on the clock,” I state, crossing my arms over my chest.
Felicity rolls her eyes. She actually fucking rolls her eyes at me, and it takes everything I have not to wrap my hands around her neck and squeeze. “I was taking a little break,” she says with big doe eyes.
“You had already taken your morning break, right? You aren’t scheduled to take lunch until one. Why the fuck did you leave without telling someone?” I know I’m being a dick, but you know what? I don’t care. She has proven to be a subpar employee, at best, and frankly, I’m fucking done.
“I’m sorry,” she whines, twirling her hair with her available hand. “But hey, good news! I found something for later,” she smiles widely and bounces, her hand now resting on my chest. She steps forward, way too fucking close for my liking, and digs her fingers into my pec. “Maybe you can come over later tonight. You know, and see what I bought?” Then she bats her I-want-to-suck-your-dick eyes and smiles seductively.
I shiver, but not in a good way. Just the thought of seeing her in whatever’s in that bag has me seeing red. No way in hell. The only woman I ever want to see wear something from that store is the owner.
