AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Everyone needs competition. It’s healthy. Why is he an arsehole, anyway?”
“He just is,” Jack muttered.
“Oh.”
“What?”
“Ohh. I see.”
“What?”
“You have a crush.”
“Ido nothave a crush, Stuart.”
“I think you do,” he crowed.
“I’m just—ugh. I’m not talking to you.”
Stuart hauled himself out of the comfy chair and punched Jack on the shoulder.
“Make friends,” he suggested.
“Right, sure, I’ll go over there now and punch him, I’m sure that’ll go great,” Jack muttered.
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“By punching him? I’ll probably get arrested, Stu.”
“No, you idiot. By, you know.” He wiggled his fingers at Jack. “Flirting a little.”
“If that’s how you flirt, it’s a fucking surprise you managed to knock Darcey up.”
“I’ll tell her you said that.”
“Do. I’ll defend it until my dying breath.”
“Wanker.”
“Love you too,” Jack said, and hugged him again before shoving his oldest friend out of the shop.
More people were starting to populate the street outside, and he went to the sound system in the kitchen to turn on the twinkly, peppy, happy Christmas playlist that was driving him literally insane.
Then he grit his teeth, and forced himself to pretend to be a jolly person.
He absolutely did not have acrush.
Oliver spent the day doodling ideas. It was easier and quicker to do than writing, while also trying to sell books. When he was writing, Oliver needed quiet and space to think, which he was definitely not going to get here. Turning out little drawings didn’t take as much brain space as finding the right words to tell a story.
Plus, the shop was busy. Really busy. He thought that most people would have finished their shopping by now, but no, it seemed like half of the population of Bath were out in force trying to pick up last minute bargains. Which was fine by Oliver. He was working on commission.
The door swung open, letting in a blast of cold air, and Oliver smiled up at a handsome, red-headed man with a green tartan scarf wrapped around his neck. After a few minutes, he sidled up to the folding table Oliver was using as a desk.
“Hey,” he said.
“Hi.” Oliver offered him a smile. “Can I help?”
“Yeah, I was just wondering… do you own this place?”
