Page 30 of Storm Warning
I walk behind the counter and back to my office, tossing my bag on my desk and grabbing my inventory notebook before heading back to the counter. Hannah and Ginny turn to greet me with smiles.
“Good morning, Miss Kaylee,” Ginny says, “You just missed your friend.”
“My friend?” I look at her like she’s crazy. Daisy hadn’t mentioned checking here first for me.
“A real handsome guy, about six something, with the dreamiest brown eyes,” Hannah says as she twirls her pin straight hair around her finger.
They don’t have to say his name, I know, without a doubt, they are talking about Rhett.
“Oh, yeah, not my friend.”
“Funny, he said the same thing,” Ginny offers sweetly.
“Yeah, if he hadn’t said that I wouldn’t have slipped him my number. Just in case. I’m a girls’ girl.” Hannah giggles. “He’s so hot.”
Irritation courses through my veins. Is it the hangover or am I just annoyed at the sound of her piercing laugh?
“Let’s focus on the work and less on finding a boyfriend, Hannah.” I try to remain lighthearted, and add a laugh so she doesn’t get so scared she quits, but I think her confession pisses me off. Not because of Rhett, I could give a shit less about him, but because this isn’t a matchmaking service, it’s a job.
I head back toward the office, pretending I forgot something, when in reality all I forgot was my patience. Handing out her number isn’t that big of a deal, I’m sure it happens all the time, but for some reason my irritation is next level.
A soft knock comes from behind me. Ginny stands there, an apologetic gleam in her eyes. “I’m really sorry about Hannah. That should have never happened, no matter who it was.”
I furrow my brow, shocked that an apology is coming for something so miniscule. “Oh, no one is in trouble.” I look toward my desk, searching for anything to stand out. “I just forgot…a pen,” I say as I lift one up in the air.
The corner of her lips turn up slightly. “Either way, I know that it’s not very professional and had I set that expectation when I trained her, she would have known better.”
It’s a shame she feels the need to apologize, especially on behalf of someone else, but the longer I think about it, the less I think it’s about the action, and more about it being Rhett.
Am I…jealous?
18
RHETT - JUNE 26, 2004
I’ve goneoff the deep end, but what the fuck do I have to lose anyway?
For whatever reason, Kaylee’s disinterest in me doesn’t push me away. It’s almost like I love to be in her line of fire. And if you like something, you want more, right? Last night left a lasting impression. I can’t get her out of my goddamn head, and if that doesn’t mean there’s something there, then I’m not sure what does.
She leads with knives, but each blow seems to be undercut with hesitation. Like she’s torn between pushing me away and letting me in. Had I not drank myself to oblivion, I might have noticed the cues, leaned into them a bit so I could understand her more. Found out who she really is. Thought about something other than kissing her.
I can’t help but laugh at my predicament. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s playing so damn hard to get, or the fact that I’m always up for a challenge, but there’s something about her that lights a fire in me, and I won’t stop until I likely get burned.
I ponder a moment before grabbing my phone.
Gotta play to win right? And at the very least, I’d like a chance to play.
ME: U WANNA GO TO A ROPING EVENT?
Ten minutes pass before my phone sounds.
KAYLEE: NO.
Fuck, okay. Maybe I read her reactions all wrong. She wasn’t hesitant, she was just trying to be nice.
I slide my cell back into my pocket and much to my surprise, it dings again. Against my better judgement and feeling like my curiosity might kill me, I pull it out, shocked to see Kaylee sent another text.
KAYLEE: HAVE TO DO SHOP INVENTORY.
