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“Yes.” Romi nodded again. She was amazed she could get even that

much out. Her head felt like it was buzzing, filled up with a swarm of bees,

while a wild current of electricity buzzed through her veins.

When Kiera left, Wynn gave her a huge grin and a big thumbs-up.

Romi smiled back and made a quick escape back to a display that she’d

left unfinished on the top floor. She was setting out all sorts of retro mugs

and glasses. She was relieved to have something to keep her hands busy.

Unfortunately, her mind didn’t shut off just because she told it to.

She felt strange inside. Hot. Flustered. Weird. Electrified. Kiera had this

inner strength, as well as an outer strength that was immediately apparent to

anyone. Most people would leave it at that, or admire her for it, but it was

different for Romi. She was far too aware of how hot it made Kiera. She

was intense. That was hot. Seriously hot. She was strong, driven,

determined, capable.

If only Romi could be excited for the pick and just the pick. For the

opportunity. Of course, she wasn’t. She was looking forward to Friday for

an entirely different, and she couldn’t just shut that feeling off.

Chapter 5

Kiera

When Romi showed up at the store, it was just after seven. Kiera was the

only one there, waiting outside in the parking lot in the store’s truck and

trailer. It was one of the first purchases she’d made after buying the actual

building. The truck and trailer were both from the same company, a

landscape deal that was selling off older assets. Older meaning a few years

old. She’d gotten a killer deal on them both and had them re-wrapped with

images of fun and funky antiques, as well as the store’s logo and tagline.

“I hope you brought better footwear than that,” Kiera said when she

spotted Romi’s sneakers. They looked brand new and were obviously more

for fashion than for actual support and stability.

“Uh, what?” Romi hoisted her purse onto her shoulder and tightened her