Page 14 of Hidden Hearts

I follow her jawline with my mouth, fixated on the delicate curve. "Why not?"

Freeing her captured wrists from my relaxed grip, she rushes out, "Because I don't even like you." Then all I see is her swinging ponytail as she runs away from me towards her car.

Avery might believe that she doesn’t have feelings for me, but her body tells a different story. Our kiss wasn’t a one-sided affair. She gave as good as she got for that one blissful moment.

A dam inside me has broken.

A flood of need released from its concrete boundaries.

I won't be able to stand Avery not being mine for much longer, and I'm starting to think this spark between us won't be fizzling out anytime soon either.

CHAPTER NINE

AVERY

It’s been a week since the incident at the game.

I refuse to acknowledge that Dominic and I kissed.

Because, for a moment, it made me forget everything. Why I was angry. Why I shouldn't be kissing him. Why I loathed him. Or why I thought I did.

No one’s ever kissed me like that. Granted, I haven't been kissed a lot, but nothing's come close. Which freaks me out. I can’t let one measly kiss change my whole perspective on a man. That’s ridiculous!

"Avery, can you do me a favor?" Mike’s question snaps me back to reality.

Swinging around in my chair, I shove thoughts of Dominic out of my head and nod. "Of course."

"Can you head over to the office next to Blushing Brides Boutique? I need you to give it a thorough cleaning. Sweep the floors, dust, that sort of thing. My regular cleaners have another appointment today, and it needs to be done this afternoon. You can go home and change, then spend the rest of your work hours over there."

That’s the location for Dominic’s new office.

My teeth clench into a grimace masquerading as a smile. I swear the universe is out to get me by throwing me into Dominic’s path every chance it has. If I were more of a romantic, I might think the legend of Suitor’s Crossing’s heart sparks—a cute story about soulmates—is at play, but Dominic Stone is absolutely not my heart spark, soulmate, or anything resembling a romantic interest.

I. Don’t. Like. Him.

“Avery?”

Slamming a palm on the big red STOP button on the embroidery machine, I answer Mike’s question. "Sure, I'll leave now." As if I had a choice.

Sometimes it’s nice being Mike's girl Friday because the work varies, and I feel like a respected member of the team. Other times, like today, I’m reminded that I’m just a glorified secretary/maid.

Reason #22 why I can't wait to quit Design Time and move on to something better.

After picking up the key from Mike and hearing his explanation of where the cleaning supplies are, I went home and changed into a pair of black yoga pants and an oversized tee. Throwing my curls into a messy bun, I’m good to go.

I let myself into the office and go straight to the closet where everything is supposed to be stored. Mike was right to have someone come over here before Dominic moved in. This place needs a good cleaning.

Dust motes float in the sunshine, and a few dried paint brushes lay on a tarp in the corner. No one has occupied the space for a while as I try to remember who the last tenant was but come up blank. I hardly shop on Main Street since I’m here so much for work, so I have no idea what kind of places have been here.

Shrugging it off, I scroll through my phone to the "Dance, Dance" playlist and hit the ‘play’ button before getting to work.

While some trash litters the floor, the monumental task lies in dusting and scrubbing a ton of flat surfaces because the last occupants left a lot of random counters and shelves. Maybe this was a store at one point?

Either way, hopefully, Mike hired someone to pick these up before Monday. Because I can’t see Dominic needing stuff like this.

Which reminds me of our deal.

The one I called off at the baseball game.

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