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That wasn’t even taking into account she might not want his present. Or anything to do with him at all.
He wasn’t known for his fits of optimism. Man, he’d picked a fine time to start.
“Excuse me?” Lila lifted one wispy blond brow and adjusted her hold on her shiny red purse. Jazz would’ve called it power red. He’d obviously been spending too much time with chicks if he knew that. “I do believe this store is open to all and I have free agency to do as I please.”
“Mrs. Shawcross, so lovely to see you again. What might you be in the market for today?”
“Hi Lila. Killer purse. New?” Jazz’s perky question might’ve saved the day if not for the fact he just wanted to make his purchase and leave. What the hell good was Christmas if he couldn’t hide the gift until it was time for the big unveiling?
And at that price, the unveiling was gonna be frigging ginormous.
“Hello Jasmine.” Lila gave Jazz a thin smile. “No, I’ve had the bag for a while. Just thought it fit the holiday.”
With nary a glance in Nick’s direction, she then strode toward the erstwhile Steve. “I’m actually here to pick up something I reserved over the phone.”
“Ah, yes, Mrs. Shawcross. Wonderful. Let me go get it out of the back.”
“Hey, hello, mid-purchase here. Big money. What the hell?” he muttered, narrowing his eyes at Steve’s retreating back.
Cash might talk, but evidently, Lila’s spoke louder than his.
Not that he could fully blame good ol’ Steve for jumping when Lila snapped. To say she was gorgeous was an understatement. With all that long blond hair falling down her back, those shrewd blue eyes that assessed everything in a minute flat and a body that wouldn’t quit, she was the kind of woman who drew second and third looks. But her mind, wit and heart drew him even more than the external. Pretty wrapping paper didn’t mean shit if the inside didn’t match up.
“Guess she’s not leaving,” Jazz mumbled, running a finger over her new bracelet.
“Sorry if I interrupted,” Lila said coolly, flipping her hair back without sparing him a look. She rarely wore her hair down, and the sight just made him want to mess it up. To pull on those wavy strands while he feasted on her neck and teased out those moans she gave him so readily when they were alone.
“Interrupted what?” Jazz asked, glancing between them in confusion.
Nick smothered a groan. Christ, Lila was never going to give it a rest when it came to him and Jazz. He didn’t really get how Lila could still be jealous of his extremely brief—and extremely in the past—thing with Jazz when she’d all but told himshedidn’t want to see him anymore.
Shebeing Lila, that is.
Which sucked, but he could be okay with some in the dark action. Lights weren’t always necessary. If she wanted to go back to secret screwing, he could get on board with that.
For a while anyway.
“Lila seems to still think we’re harboring feelings or some shit for each other.” He didn’t want to embarrass Lila, and he definitely didn’t want to extend this encounter any longer than necessary, but it had to be said.
Jazz boggled for thirty seconds, her eyes huge. “You’re kidding, right?” She started to laugh so hard that she had to drop the bags she was carrying in favor of clutching her stomach. “Oh my God. That’s awesome.”
“I donotthink that, thank you very much, Nicholas.” Lila’s focus remained on Jazz’s fit of hysterics. “Though you certainly seem amused by the idea.”
“Him? Me? Still? Noooo. Oh my God, no way.” Jazz let out another snorting laugh. “We were a thing for like a nanosecond. We only slept together that one time, with Gray.”
Naturally, Steve picked that moment to reappear. He faltered at Jazz’s latest declaration then straightened his shoulders and soldiered on. “Mrs. Shawcross, here’s your purchase, already boxed and ready for you. Incredible selection as always.” He passed her a small black bag and cast a sickly smile in the direction of Nick and Jazz. “How do you know these two…fine individuals?”
Nick coughed into his fist. Still smarting from Jazz’s fit at his expense—yeah, they were so far beyond over it wasn’t worth mentioning, but she didn’t have to find the ideathatentertaining—he had to hold his tongue from truly blowing Steve’s mind.
Hey, remember that wife I was buying the pearls for? You know, my secret lover? You’re looking at her, bub. Don’t look too hard either.
Lila’s lips twitched. She must’ve picked up on Steve’s tone too. “I’m their manager. They’re part of Oblivion.” At Steve’s blank look, she prompted, “The band?”
“Oh. Uh, yes, that’s right. They mentioned that. How nice.”
Lila nodded and gripped her bag. “Thank you for your help as always. I’m sure I’ll be back soon.”
“Oh, please return anytime. We truly appreciate your business. Happy holidays!”
