Page 82 of House of Desire

“Yeah, maybe. Were you wanting that coupon?”

“Actually, I was here looking for Anastasia. Is she here?”

“She’s in the back. She’s really popular today. Are you going to ask her out, too?” He takes off his apron and hits a few buttons on the iPad before moving to the front door and flipping the sign to closed.

“Too?” I ask.

“Yeah, Miles asked Anastasia out on a date.”

“He did? What did she say?” Equal parts jealousy and nerves hit me with such a power, I almost get lightheaded.

“I don’t know. She made me go in the back and wash dishes, but I told her to not let him leave before I could get an autograph. But I listened at the door and heard him ask her. I couldn’t hear her, though. Don’t tell her I was spying, okay? I don’t want to get fired. I really like this job.”

“It’ll be our little secret,” I promise. “Do you think you could go get her for me?”

“Sure! I’ll be right back.”

He goes through the swinging door to the back room and I hear him call out to Anastasia.

“Anya, another guy is here to see you,” the shop boy says.

“What’s his name?” she says.

Hearing her voice makes my insides twist and I shove my shaking hands into my pockets. Maybe Courtney was right about how I’ve never had to work for women before. I don’t think I have ever been this nervous. Even when I asked Brittany out for the first time, I didn’t have a single nervous flutter in my entire body.

But now? I’m nothing but nervous flutters.

“I don’t know, I didn’t ask.”

“What does he look like?”

“Tall. Blond. Kind of like a biker that’s all dressed up for work.”

I smile at the kid’s assessment of me and it calms me. That is, until she pushes through the door. All I can hear is her moaning in pleasure and I have to focus everything I have on not getting hard.

“Parker? What are you doing here?” Her cheeks pinken and I have to redouble my efforts to think of anything except our time together.

Willing my body to relax, I give her the smile that has always made women melt.

“I was in the area and thought maybe I could take you to an early dinner or something. You know, as friends.”

“Oh, I actually have plans tonight,” she says, wringing the towel in her hands.

“No, you don’t. You were telling my mom earlier how you were going to get ahead on the baking for tomorrow.”

She looks at her employee, glaring.

“Those are plans, Liam.”

“Not fun plans,” he grumbles and I have to trap my laugh as she puts her hands on her hips, giving him a no nonsense look.

“Shouldn’t you be heading home? Your mom will kill me if you’re late again.”

“Crap!” he says, before diving under the counter, coming up with a backpack and slinging it over his shoulder. “Nice to meet you.” He pushes through the door, sprinting off to the left.

“He’s funny,” I tell her, wishing I could kiss her lips and we could finish what we started the last time we were here.

“He’s a pain in my ass. But I love him. I really do have things to do tonight. I keep selling out since the third episode aired last night and I’m trying to get things ready tonight so I can bake more tomorrow morning,” she says, apologetic.

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