Page 19 of That Conflicted Feeling

Witha flourish, she places a bunch of radishes on the pinnacle of the newly tidied stack and points at it like a magician’s assistant. “Ta-dah.”

“Andanyway.”Isnatch up the cash bag.Maybeit’ll be heavier tomorrow. “Someonelike him wouldn’t give someone like me a second glance.”

Ipull the float drawer out of the register asCarlyapproaches.

“I’mpretty sure your ass got a second glance.Maybeeven a third.”

“You’remistaken.Anyway, stop it.”

“Don’tdismiss it out of hand,Poll.That’sallI’msaying.Andgive me that.”Shetakes the drawer from me. “I’lllock it away while you close up.”

Sherattles through the beaded curtain asIflick off the lights and head to the front.

Istretch onto my tiptoes to reach the broken string of the window blind, just as a face appears inches from mine on the other side of the glass.

Iscreech, jerking back and clutching my chest.Myheart bounces like one of those extra-bouncy rubber balls—not only becauseI’mstartled, but because of who’s done the startling.

Maxopens the door and sticks his head around. “Sorry.Didn’tmean to scare you.”

Hissmile is almost as dazzling as his blue eyes.

Histie’s pulled loose and the top button of his shirt is undone.Likehe’s ready to transition from the business part of the day to the fun part.

Thenewly visible lower area of his neck looks like one of those spots you’d want to kiss.Ifyou were into kissing the necks of billionaires whose business plan you’re trying to destroy before they destroy yours, that is.AndIhave zero desire to kiss any necks anyway, least of all necks attached to livelihood crushers.

“I’mclosing.Didyou want something?”

Thedoor jingles shut behind him as he steps inside.

Hepushes his hands into his pockets and again my mind goes straight to what they’re now nestling against.Whatdoes it look like down there?GoodGod, must not think about his penis.

Mygaze slides up the buttons of his shirt to his smiling lips that are parted to reveal gleaming white teeth, cheekbones that have just the right amount of chisel, and those goddamn eyes.

Thebouncy ball has dropped to my belly and is now boinging away in there.

Heraises his eyebrows and tilts his head, revealing a tiny bit more of that neck.“Doyou have a moment?”

Whatthe hell does he want? “Notreally.Ineed to close up and get back to help my mom.”

Isqueeze sideways past him to lock the door to prevent any last-minute produce browsers following him in and keeping me late.Buthe doesn’t move.There’snot quite enough space, and my back brushes against his arm.

Iam absolutely not okay with the shiver running down my spine.Andthe fact it hasn’t stopped at the base of my spine but is spreading to my lady fig is completely unacceptable.

Iturn the latch and flip the sign to “VeggieSorry,We’reClosed.”AsItry to squeeze back around without any shiver-inducing brushes with that arm,Carlycalls out from the back.

“Okay, the cash register’s locked up, andI’m…”Sheemerges through the curtain and freezes mid scarf wrap. “Oh.”Agrin that would make theCheshireCatproud spreads across her face. “Hello.”

“Hi,” saysMax, as if he’s charming.Whichmen about to destroy your life never are.

“Well.Okay.Timefor me to go.”Shelocks eyes with me. “I’llleave you to, er, it.”

“I’llbe out of here in a minute too.”Igive her an exaggerated nod. “Ina hurry.Notime to hang around.”

“Idon’t think you have anything to rush away for,” she says. “Youtake all the time you need.I’moff.Byeee.”

Andwith one more dramatic wind of her scarf she disappears back through the curtain.

“Sheseems interesting,” saysMax.