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“How about these lotions,” she thrust two bottles—one navy and one white—at me and kept moving, “and this bath bomb. Customers LOVE this.” She palmed the swirly blue-and-white ball. “It fizzes in the water and is infused with essential oils. So great for your skin.”
I nodded. “Wonderful. Do you have any special teas? I need something for his gran as well.”
“Yes! I’ll go put this together in a basket for you while you browse the teas. Two aisles over.” She motioned to the right with her blonde head, then spun towards the counter with our selections.
I made my way over to the tea aisle, bending over to get a good look at the assortment. They had the standard stuff: mint, Earl Grey, lemon verbena, but also some more interesting combos like Sugar Cookie and Spicy Christmas.
“Hey you.” Nick’s deep voice rumbled behind me, sending a shiver of excitement rippling down my spine. Damn it. Then his hand grazed my ass as he closed the distance between us, pressing his taut body up against me, and my disloyal muscles went weak. Double damn it.
“Hey,” I said in my breeziest voice, straightening up but not daring to turn around. “Just picking out some teas for your gran.”
“She’ll like that,” he murmured near my ear, his large hand resting on my hip. My breath caught in my throat as his clean, familiar scent engulfed me, all my nerve endings on fire. This was absolute torture.
I’d seriously underestimated my feelings for this man.
“You think?” I practically whispered to the row of teas in front of me.
“She’ll love it.” His breath ruffled my hair and goosebumps rose on my skin.
“Sydney, what do you think about this?” Willow rounded the corner, stopping short when she saw Nick. “Oh, sorry.” She blushed, a deep crimson staining her ivory cheeks. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
“It’s fine,” I said, waving my hand and stepping away from Nick. “And I love it. Great, thanks. So here are the teas,” I thrust them at her. “Maybe throw in some cookies or something?”
“I can do that.” Willow took the teas and moved out of the row just as quickly as she’d come.
“That was awkward,” I mouthed to Nick. He chuckled as I folded my arms across my chest. “And what if she leaks this to someone?”
Nick rolled his eyes. “To who, Syd? Willow’s my friend, she wouldn’t do that.”
I took a deep breath, raising a brow at him.
“I’ll ask her to keep it on the DL, okay?”
“Yes. Good. Thank you.” I nodded, pushing my paranoia away. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
Nick grinned. “I forgot how cute you are when you’re worried.”
I punched him in the arm. “Great, thanks a lot.”
I pivoted and headed towards the counter to pay.
“Great choices, Sydney. I’m sure they’ll love these gifts.” Willow finished tying the baskets with shiny gold ribbon. “Are you guys going to the Ugly Sweater party tomorrow night?”
“We’ll be there,” Nick said, nodding.
“Super. I’ll see you there then.”
I handed over my credit card, shooting Nick a dirty look when Willow wasn’t looking.
“Here you go, Sydney.”
“Thanks.”
“Listen, Willow, we’re keeping things real quiet right now.” Nick gestured between the two of us.
Willow nodded, a solemn look on her face. “Gotcha. My lips are sealed.” She traced an imaginary line over her mouth and winked. “See you tomorrow.”
“See ya.”
