Page 21 of March’s Bad Boy: Ty

Ty's gaze drops to the piles of books scattered across the counter, and the list I started scribbling in the notebook by the register. He picks it up, scanning the haphazardly written to-dos. "You really going to do all this alone?"

I shrug, avoiding his eyes. "I don't have a choice."

"Yeah, you do."

Finally, I look up at him, and there's something in his expression that makes my stomach flip. Ty's never been one for empty promises, and the quiet intensity in his gaze tells me he's already got something up his sleeve.

"Come with me," he says, reaching for my hand.

"Ty, I have so much to do--"

"Trust me." His fingers tighten around mine, warm and calloused. "Just for a few minutes."

He pulls out a bandana from his pocket and holds it up. "I have a surprise. Will you wear this for me?"

Even though I protest at first, the twinkle in his eyes and the mischievous smile on his face have me agreeing. He wraps the blindfold over my eyes and then stands behind me and places his hands on my hips and starts guiding me out of the store and across the street.

When he finally stops, he positions me in front of something, his breath warm against my ear as he whispers, "Okay, ready?"

I nod, excited at whatever it is he wants to show me.

He removes the blindfold.

Blinking against the sudden light, I look around. We're inside a large, empty storefront. The space is bigger than my bookstore, with high ceilings and tall windows. The potential of it makes my breath hitch.

"What...?" I breathe. My gaze drifts toward the window where I see we are in the store directly across from my shop, then back to Ty, who is watching me intently.

"Your new shop," he says simply.

My heart pounds. The space is bigger than my current store, with tall walls begging for shelves and cozy reading nooks. It's perfect. But...

I stare at him in disbelief. "I can't afford this."

He grins. "You don't have to. The owner agreed to rent it to you at a discount since the upstairs apartments need work. If we help fix them up, he will only charge you what you are paying now."

I whisper, staring around the space. "This can't be real."

Ty is grinning, watching my reaction. "It's real, Bookworm."

Tears burn in my eyes. "How did you--?"

Ty shrugs, nudging me playfully. "Made some calls. Asked Ruby to pull a few strings, the usual."

He steps behind me, his voice low. "My buddies and I are going to help fix it up. Levi's already on board. All you have to do is say yes."

I turn to him, eyes wide with disbelief. "Why would you do this for me?"

His jaw tightens, and for a second, vulnerability flashes in his eyes. He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Because your dreams matter, Kara. And I'm not letting you lose them."

I shake my head. "You can't just fix my life for me." But my voice wavers because, deep down, I want this. I want to believe there's a way to save my dream.

"I'm not fixing your life," he says tenderly. "I'm showing up for you. Let me do that."

I stare at the keys. This is everything I need. But I'm also terrified. Because if this doesn't work out, it'll hurt more than just losing the store. It'll mean I let myself believe in something good, and it slipped away again.

After a long pause, I reach for them. My fingers brush against Ty's, and our eyes lock. "Okay." The word comes out barely above a whisper, but it's there.

Ty grins and bumps my shoulder. "Then let's get to work."

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