Page 18 of Three of a Kind

Avan isn’t a great dad, but he’s not a terrible one, either.

I try really hard not to let my personal feelings for him as a shitty ex taint my view of him as Libby’s father.

He never makes me beg for money. If I mention that she needs something, he takes care of it.

It’s hard on an ethical level, because when we met, I didn’t know his family was involved in organized crime.

I thought they were run-of-the-mill businessmen.

Libby was almost a year old before I got a peek at the full scope of what they’re involved in. Even now, I probably don’t know everything.

Leaning against the glass counter, I study the patrons sitting in the café attached to the bookstore I work in. It was pure luck that I walked in the day after Mrs. Patterson had an employee quit.

Avan may be responsible for keeping a roof over mine and Libby’s heads, but I work full time. Although, admittedly, my checks are tiny in comparison to what a three-bedroom apartment around here would go for in rent.

If it wasn’t for Avan living here, I wouldn’t stay in the city.

There’s no way I could afford to.

I startle, pulling my shoulders back when I spot Noble sauntering my way with two paper cups. Absently licking my lips, I take in the dark jeans that are molded to his thighs and the way his T-shirt stretches over his muscular chest.

My entire body tenses as I remember calling him out for all his female guests.

Why did I think I had the right to do that?

I shake away the embarrassment as best as I can and walk around the counter to greet him.

I’ve seen him stop in for coffee before, and we’ve said a casual hello, but he’s never walked down the three steps into the bookstore.

“I must say…” Noble sets the cups down on the counter and spins to face me with his hands free. He gets very close to my ear before continuing. “It’s shocking how easily I’d miss it if I didn’t know.” His hands land on my hips, giving a little squeeze.

He leans in, and the coarse hair of his beard tickles my cheek. His delicious scent floods my nose, overwhelming my system.

This is weird.

Maybe I’m still asleep?

I stand frozen.

Blinking like a total goofball, I try to huff as much of his smell as I can take in without making myself seem even weirder than I already have.

“What are you doing here?” I blurt out.

Yeah, I’m sure that helped.

“I brought you a coffee.” He stays bent low, so he can stare directly into my eyes. “Decaf, of course.”

A slow, sexy smile breaks out over his face, and my heart thumps faster in response.

“You stopped by to bring me a decaf coffee?” I ask, squinting up at him.

“I did,” he agrees. “I wanted to check in on you. You seemed beat last night.”

I nod, shoving my hair behind my ear. “I was. I’m so sorry. I remember us talking on the couch…”

“Yeah.” He chuckles as his hands slide under the collar of my shirt. He proceeds to smooth it out over the top of the sweater dress I’m wearing. “You knocked right out on me. Then again, my family stories weren’t exactly riveting.” His long fingers brush my shoulders as he pats the collar back into place. “I thought we could try again sometime?”

“You want to hang out with me again?”

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