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He raised a brow. “Why not?”
“Because it’s too much. I can’t let you do that.”
“I want to.” He really did. After all she’d done for him and the boys, he ached to express his affection for her in whatever way he could. He wished he could buy her all the vintage jewelry and dresses her heart desired, but he’d start small. And perhaps he had a little caveman in him because he wanted Faith wearing something he’d bought for her. He wanted to mark her as his.
“In my experience, if a man wants to buy you a gift, you should let him,” the jeweler remarked with a smile.
Faith wavered.
“It’s really pretty,” Hunter said, and Shane wanted to high-five him. That’s my boy.
Laughing, she threw her hands in the air. “Okay, then. Thank you.”
She kissed him. In full view of everyone. And he loved it.
The woman wrapped the necklace in tissue paper and handed it to Faith in a paper bag. She tucked it carefully inside her purse. They continued around the stalls, and when they’d looked at everything and Hunter was worn out, they returned to The Shack, where Faith had to work for the afternoon. Shane kissed her goodbye, ignoring Dylan’s groan of embarrassment, and left her with flushed cheeks and hazy eyes. Just the way he liked her.
Faith enteredThe Shack feeling as though she was walking on air.
“That was some kiss,” Megan said from behind the counter. The place was devoid of customers since everyone was at the parade, but Faith had no doubt they’d start to filter in soon.
“I know,” she sighed happily. “He’s such a good kisser.”
“Very handsome too,” the third woman in the room said. She crossed to Faith and shook her hand surprisingly firmly for such a petite person. “Hi, I’m Mikayla. My friends call me Mik.”
Faith appraised her, thinking hard. “Victoria Justice, but shorter.”
“Excuse me?” Mikayla demanded, hands on her hips.
“Relax, Mik,” Megan said. “Faith uses a mental trick where she associates people with celebrities so she can remember them.”
“She called me short.”
“You are short.”
“Hmph.” Mikayla huffed. “I’m five-two.” She tucked a strand of dark-brown hair behind her ear. “I suppose I’ve been compared to worse though.” She spun around, and together, she and Faith joined Megan behind the counter. Faith couldn’t help but be impressed by the efficiency of Mikayla’s movements. She wasted no energy flouncing around, and in her black pencil skirt and form-fitting top, she looked sleek and aerodynamic. Strange descriptors, perhaps, but they fit her well.
“Is this your first time to the bay?” Faith asked.
“No. I visited when Megan first came here, and I’ve made a couple of weekend trips.” At that moment, her phone rang. “Mikayla here,” she said after lifting it to her ear. A moment later, she stepped away, carrying on a hushed discussion.
“It’ll be work,” Megan explained. “She’s always on the clock. Her boss won’t let her have a day to herself.” She shook her head, frowning.
Her attitude surprised Faith since Megan rarely disliked anyone. “Is he too tough on her?”
“Too dependent,” Megan said, then glanced over at Mikayla and lowered her voice. “She’s been in love with him since she started the job. He’ll never make a move because he can’t afford to lose her, but that doesn’t stop him from playing her like a violin when it suits.”
Faith grimaced and sunk into a stool behind the counter. “That sounds rough. Poor Mik.”
“Don’t let on that you know.”
“I won’t,” she promised. “Hey, can I ask a favor?”
“Of course.” Megan swiveled her stool around as a couple entered the store.
When they didn’t approach the counter, Faith continued. “We’re celebrating Dylan’s birthday next weekend, and I need to bring the best caramel cake he’s ever had.”
Megan laughed. “Are you trying to bribe your way into his good graces?”
