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I needed a drink.
Taking a deep breath as Amanda snickered quietly, I tried to remind myself that I was a professional. Standing straighter, I opened my eyes and called out to the weird man who’d grabbed my ass. “It was very much appreciated, Ralph.”
I was not going to call that dirty old man Sir no matter how polite it would’ve technically been.
“Should I ban them from the store?” Her question was logical but I could only shrug. “What were they doing?”
It took me a second to go over what they’d said. “They were being sneaky and hinting around that I’d been busy and they talked about wanting to make sure Ben met someone nice.”
“Oh.” Amanda’s eyes widened and she automatically glanced in the direction of the bakery. “They know?”
“They know.” Or had at least watched us enough to make an educated guess. “I think they’re stalking us.”
It should’ve sounded insane.
It didn’t.
“You’re the hot topic on the community Facebook page, so they don’t have to stalk you. Everyone else is doing it for them.” Ralph was still being helpful but that didn’t mean he could touch my ass.
Good grief.
They were doing what?
Amanda recovered faster than I could and called out to the dirty old man. “Is that why everyone keeps pestering me to join that stupid group? For fuck’s sake.”
“Well, that was to make sure you knew that Ben was cheating on you but I don’t think that’s what’s actually going on.” Ralph was still being frighteningly helpful. “You might want to accept the invitation and clear that up somehow? I tried to be helpful, but for some reason, no one believes me.”
I was a little worried about how he thought she should go about clearing that detail up but I was afraid to ask…he’d definitely answer and I wasn’t sure I wanted to know what his dirty mind had thought up.
God, it was going to be a long night.
****
“So, I have good news and bad news and embarrassing news that isn’t as stressful as it was this morning.” It’d been a long day and so much had happened I couldn’t even think about squirming, much less blushing.
That would’ve taken too much energy.
“Oh, um, is it okay that I came over without asking?” I hadn’t thought to question that as I walked over but maybe it’d been rude to just show up?
He’d said to come over whenever I wanted to but sometimes people didn’t actually mean invitations like that.
“Come here, pet. You’re always welcome here.” Master took my random appearance at his place in stride and didn’t even comment on the fact that I’d used the downstairs key that he’d given me. “It looks like you’ve had a long day.”
He locked the apartment as I set my pile of stuff down by the door, then pulled me into the living room, nearly carrying me over to the couch.
I was so tired I forgot to marvel at the ceiling.
As he settled me into his lap, he reached out and took my shoes off before wrapping me up in his arms so my head was on his shoulder. “So tell me the good news first. I like good news from my boy.”
“Ralph said he wouldn’t grab my ass again.” It sounded stupid when I said it, and it took me a second to realize it might not have enough context, but Master let out a breath and didn’t laugh at all.
“I’m glad he understands that’s not acceptable behavior. You work in a bookstore, not a…well, not somewhere that would be more reasonable.” Master was shaking his head as he said that, sounding a bit cheeky but not too stressed…probably since I’d told him it was the good news.
“He’s figured that out…and he also figured out that you own my ass. Evidently, Facebook told him. That’s part of the bad news.” Master went so still I sat up and almost smiled.
His head was cocked like he wasn’t sure he knew what was going on. He had a bit of a confused puppy vibe going but I wasn’t sure he’d want to hear that. “Facebook?”
“Yep.” Sighing, I curled back into him. “There’s a community Facebook group. I think it’s primarily local business owners but don’t quote me on that. It’s confusing. But we’re the talk of the group and evidently that’s where the crazy old ladies have been getting some of their intel. Ralph’s been pushing for us but he promised he hasn’t uploaded any pictures that show my butt.”
I wished I was kidding.
“I have no idea what to say to that other than I’m going to have a talk with Amanda about what she’s letting happen in her store.” Master sounded very Master as he explained his first thoughts.
I probably should’ve had more to say about that but I was at the point where I approved of his plan.
