Page 105 of Tangled Up In You

"You've got it. I won't let you down."

He wanted her to say she knew he wouldn't, but she just gave him a watery smile and moved back to the table.

He focused on the grill, because after his strong declaration, he better make sure he gave her exactly what she wanted. It was about time someone did that for her. And he wanted to be the one.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Molly was still thinkingabout her perfect steak the next day when she watched the clock tick slowly toward five on Wednesday afternoon. Adam had outdone himself with the meat, and she'd been touched that he'd wanted to give her exactly what she wanted. Maybe she did set too low of a bar for herself. Perhaps it was time to raise it.

She let out a sigh as she looked around the shop, which had been empty for the last hour. Her weekend rush had petered out. It had been so slow she'd sent Drew home early, and she was ready to call it a day herself. She'd gotten up early for her yoga class and while there hadn't been a lot of customers, she'd kept busy going through inventory and getting more familiar with the computer software that Drew had set up for her.

As the door opened, she was startled to see Jackie Hunt come in. Her face was drawn tight, as she stopped uncertainly in the middle of the shop.

"Hello, Jackie," she said, coming around the counter.

"I know what you're doing," Jackie said. "With all the little gifts. You think I can be bought."

"I don't think that at all. I just wanted you to know that I care about my neighbors and Phoebe's former customers."

"How did you know what she used to give me?"

"Phoebe kept notes on all her customers—what they liked, what they disliked, how she thought she could help them."

"That's how you knew all my favorite things," she muttered. "I thought you were a mind reader."

"I'm not a mind reader or a witch or a mystic or anything else along that line. I'm just someone who is trying to provide products that promote health and wellness, whether it be mental or physical. Phoebe mentioned in her notes that you suffered from insomnia."

"That was a private conversation we had. I don't like the idea of these notes. What else did she say?"

"Nothing personal. Just that she wanted to help you sleep." She paused. "You haven't been sleeping, have you?"

"No. It has been a difficult month for me, and Phoebe's death was shocking. That just made it worse." Jackie bit down on her lip. "When I heard the sirens, and I saw the ambulance pull up out front, I knew she was gone." She shook her head, her jaw tight. "I just wanted the store to disappear. It wouldn't be the same without Phoebe, and then you showed up. And I had other reasons I didn't care for you."

"Because you think my mother stole Neil away from you. He told me. I'm sorry about that, Jackie, but I'm not my mom. And I'm not Phoebe. I'm just me. And I hope we can make peace. I hope you'll let me help you."

"You already did," Jackie said, squeezing the words through her stiff lips. "I slept eight hours last night. It was the first time in a long time. Anyway, I brought you this. It just came in. I thought it might look nice on you."

She took the small satin bag out of Jackie's hand and was shocked to find a beautiful necklace inside. "This is gorgeous."

"It's made by a local artist. The colors felt like you, sunny and bright."

"Thank you, Jackie. It's beautiful."

Jackie's gaze swept the shop. "I see you've cleaned things up. That's good. I should get back to work."

She barely had a chance to mutter goodbye before Jackie was gone. She put the necklace on and looked in the mirror. The colors on the heart-shaped charm were beautiful, warm, and vibrant. They felt like love. Not that Jackie loved her. But she'd brought a peace offering, and Molly would take it.

The door opened again, and she turned around as Adam came in. The feeling of love washed over her once more. He gave a quick look around the store and then pulled her into his arms to kiss her. She was breathless when he let her go.

"What was that for?" she asked.

"I missed you last night."

"I missed you, too, but we both needed sleep."

He gave her a sexy smile. "Sleep is overrated."

"I know you think that. You told me that more than once this week."

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