Page 15 of Unforgettable

“I think you’ll find the book nerd vibe is more of a trend here at Vino and Veritas.”

We laugh as I follow him downstairs to the first floor. “We open at eleven, so the only people here right now are my bar manager, Tanner, and our trusty stock room guy, Oz.”

My ears hear the name, but it’s my body that reacts to it. I freeze mid-walk, my eyes darting around, searching. What are the chances that he’s talking about my Oz?

My Oz?

Since when did one night of sex make somebody mine? I cringe at my own idiocy. Get a fucking grip, Reeve. Nobody is anybody’s.

This is what I always seem to do. I attach myself to things and people too quickly. This was the exact personality trait I was trying to distance myself from when I agreed to a one-night stand. Why is it that for everybody else it can be the most unmemorable experience, but for me, sex with Oz was damn life changing?

Thankfully, the large space around me seems to be empty, so I give Harrison a warm smile, needing to get the hell out of there before it’s too late. “I think Murph can show me around and introduce me to everyone, if need be,” I suggest casually.

“That sounds like a great idea,” he agrees. “I’ll be organizing this week’s roster and then I’ll contact you with next week’s shifts.”

Extending my arm, Harrison takes my hand and shakes it. “It was great to meet you,” I tell him. “I’m so grateful for the interviewandthe job.”

“It’s my pleasure. I’ll be in touch soon.”

Without looking back, I practically run to the exit. When I’m on the sidewalk, I pull out my phone and call Murph.

“Hey,” he answers.

“Where are you?” I ask.

“Did you finish? I’m just at The Wardrobe looking for the perfect item.”

Panicking that I’m somehow going to bump into Oz from the sidewalk, I begin to walk in the direction of Murph’s favorite thrift store. “I’ll meet you there,” I say in a rush.

“Are you okay? Didn’t you get the job?”

“I got it,” I say, way too irritated. “Shit. I’m sorry. I’ll explain everything when I see you.”

It takes all of two minutes for me to reach Murph. When I push open the heavy glass door, a bell rings to signal my arrival, and both Murph and the store clerk look up in my direction.

I hurry toward him, but he continues his search for nothing in particular and everything he’s apparently ever wanted.

“What’s got your tight boxers in a twist?” he sasses.

“Do you work with a guy named Oz?” I blurt out.

“Yeah, the Viking-looking guy?” I groan, because that’s the perfect description for him, which means my Oz also works at V and V. He snaps his head up and narrows his eyes at me. “Wait. Why? Did you meet him? Was he rude to you?”

I look around to make sure nobody’s eavesdropping and then I whisper, “I may have slept with him when I was staying in Colebury.”

“I’m sorry,” he says with a loud cackle. “I thought you just said you slept with him, and I know that can’t be right, because my friend Reeve doesn’t do one-night stands.” He lets go of the clothes he’s holding and crosses his arms across his chest. “And my friend Reeve also wouldn’t hide things like this from me.”

Rubbing a hand over my face, I blow out a breath filled with nothing but exhaustion. “Can we sit down somewhere so I can explain this? Preferably somewhere I won’t possibly run into him?”

“Does this require day drinking?” he queries.

“Maybe?”

“How about we go home and drink all the beer in the fridge?”

“Best idea you’ve had all day.”

“I feel like maybe you’re a little out of your element right now.” Smiling, he places the back of his hand on my head. “I’ve never seen you like this, are you burning up?”

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