Page 156 of Finding Our Reality

Like Edward.

Reaching out she wraps her hand around his and lays her head against his shoulder. Well, against his elbow, really. She’s super short compared to him. Her voice grates against my brain. “Are you finished?”

What a stupid question.

Does he look finished?

He hasn’t even started yet.

“Give me just a few minutes, Bonnie.” He nods to the row of chairs in front of the back wall of shoes and big screen TV. “Why don’t you have a seat?”

I watch her sashay across the floor and seductively sit down. I don’t know who she’s trying to seduce. There’s just me, him, and Kyra. Me and Kyra are straight. And he’s already with her so I’m pretty sure that means he’s a sure thing.

I tug my tank top away from my sweaty body. When did it get so hot in here? I clear my throat, asking him the same question as before. “Are you looking for something in particular?”

His eyes scan my body, making me nervous and self-conscious. After what feels like a century, he reaches into his pocket, pulls out a folded piece of paper, and hands it to me. “I’m here for this.”

I’m very careful to avoid touching him.

Looking at the paper, I read the name of the shoe, style, and size. Biting my lip, I frown. “I’m very sorry, sir, but I only have one left in that size and it’s being saved for someone.”

He smiles again. It makes my body feel restless. “I know. For me.” He shrugs, “Well, I mean for Anna.”

My mouth falls open in shock. “You’re Will? Anna’s dad?” Immediately my eyes dart to the fake woman named Bonnie. I can’t believe he would step out on Raylee, aka hiswife. She’s so nice. How dare he?

Fucking cheater.

His laugh churns anger in the pit of my stomach.

“Will’s my brother-in-law. I’m Raylee’s brother, Holt.” He tosses a look over his shoulder to his girlfriend. “But I’m glad to know that you’re so protective of my sister.”

How does he know what I was thinking?Canhe read my mind? “Pardon?” I feign innocence.

“It’s pretty clear what you were thinking. You wear your emotions all over your face.”

Well, that’s the first time anyone has said that in a very long time. A stranger, I mean. Kyra sees the real me, of course, but she’s my friend. Edward always preferred that I keep things civil. Calm. Monotone. He wanted me to be more mild-mannered. Growing up, I was pretty high-strung so it took a lot of training for me to become someone with a polite and stoic face.

Coming to my rescue, Kyra reaches across the counter, introducing herself with a handshake.

He politely nods. “Holt Hill.”

Holt Hill. That name sounds familiar.

I guess Raylee or Anna have mentioned him before.

I walk away from the counter, using that as my excuse to avoid shaking his hand. “I’ll just grab those shoes from the back.”

“I’ll be happy to get them, Merit,” Kyra offers.

I shake my head. “No. I put them on the top shelf. I’ll get them.” The safety-angle rolling ladder broke last week. A new one won’t be arriving until sometime next week. In themeantime, we’re having to use an old wooden ladder that I borrowed from the maintenance guy at my condo complex. There’s no way I’m having an employee climb on it. The last thing I need is a workman’s comp claim.

Kyra rolls her eyes. “Yeah, and that’s what we really need.Youclimbing up shelves.”

I glare at her, pinning her in place with my death stare. Well, I assume it’s my death stare. It doesn’t seem to faze her, though.

Holt is behind me. I don’t have to turn around to know it. I can feel him. It’s like his body gives off an electricity, a current. It slices through the air and penetrates my nerve-endings. It’s been so long since I’ve been around someone attractive. My body is having a visceral reaction without my consent.

If I got out more, this wouldn’t be happening.

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