Page 9 of Sass

“I expect nothing less.” I headed to the kitchen and switched the kettle on. Then I stood at the window, clenching and unclenching my fists as the dull grey sky slowly cleared to a crisp spring blue. Jenn didn’t deserve my anger. No one did. But what my family wanted wasn’t going to happen, not on my watch. I ran my hand over the ink on my shoulder and swallowed hard. I’d promised myself this year was going to be different. I snorted and shook my head. Yeah, good luck with that.

The kettle sang and jolted me back to the present. I wiped my eyes and focused on making coffee. Jenn accepted hers with thanks and a nervous smile, and I was about to apologise when the plumber appeared.

“Your landlord’s in agreement with the plan, so I’ll start disconnecting the upstairs, and then you can get back to work, lunchtime at the latest.”

I nodded. “I’ve cancelled the day’s appointments, so take what time you need. I appreciate it.”

The plumber nodded. “I’ll get right on it.”

I held out my hand for Susie to take. “Come on Suze. Let’s go visit Uncle Rhys and tell him the bad news.”

* * *

When we stepped into Flare, the four men standing at the service desk turned as one, including Chris.Damn.I groaned under my breath. Just my luck.

Rhys waved me in with a big smile, while Chris looked like he’d swallowed something nasty, again. But when his gaze landed on Susie, a smile lit up his face and I couldn’t deny how much I wished it was for me. Never. Gonna. Happen.

Two years we’d been doing this dance and I still didn’t know how to change the tune. No matter how many times I’d tried to apologise for my behaviour at the party, Chris was having none of it. The man held a mean grudge.

My churlishness that night had been pure self-preservation. Mostly because I’d really,reallywanted to tangle my fingers in those auburn locks and fuck his brains right out of his head, just like he was offering. I’d been wanting nothing more from the very first moment I met him.

Christopher entranced me. Blunt, bursting with life, caustically funny, and sexy as fuck, he did it for me on so many levels, it messed with my head. But he’d arrived in my life the exact time I’d decided I was done with greasing the revolving door on my bed. Christopher Grantham was a temptation I absolutely didn’t need.

He was young, hot, and repeatedly and very loudly vocal about how hewasn’tinto relationships. No one had managed to snag him for more than a night or two as far as I knew. Not that I blamed him. Hell, I’dbeenhim for over a decade. But I was done with that lifestyle.

It wasn’t like Ineverhooked up, but I sure as shit wasn’t going to do it with a guy who pushed all my buttons, who worked right next door, who I’d see every day, and who went through men like I changed underwear.

I should’ve pushed harder to explain, but aside from growing to enjoy our snarky bantering—since it came with his attention—Chris’s obvious disdain for me kept him at a reassuringly safe distance. And for that alone, I’d learned to live with his low opinion.

“Morning, all.” I made my way to the desk and tried not to stare at Chris who looked positively edible. His hair had been swished up and over to one side in an effortlessly sexy do that highlighted his sharp-cut cheekbones, the black feather earing dangling almost to his collar, adding a roguish quality. Black slacks hugged the swell of his arse, and a forest-green button-down popped those amazing emerald eyes that turned me to jelly on a regular basis.

I looked again and frowned at the dark circles just visible under the cover of makeup.Mmm. Someone had been up late. A twinge of unexpected jealousy cut across my belly and I yanked my gaze away. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”

Chris narrowed his gaze. “When has that ever—”

“You’re not.” Rhys fired his manager a warning glare and pushed an open bag of pastries my way. “Help yourself. Things are a bit chaotic in here today.” He silently flicked his gaze between the pastry bag and Susie. I nodded and he leaned in to speak directly to her. “Well, hello there, Miss Susie.”

Susie tapped a pudgy finger to her cheek and Rhys popped a kiss on the spot.

“Would you like a pastry?” he whispered.

Susie sent me a hopeful look. “Can I, Uncle Lee? Please?”

I didn’t hesitate. Jenn could kill me later. I sat my niece on the service desk and Chris held the bag open for her to choose.

“How about the vanilla swirl?” Chris suggested in a whisper that was still blatantly loud enough for me to hear. “They’re Leon’s favourite and there’s only one left. I’m sure he’d love you to have it.”

Susie stared into the bag and Chris fired me a smirk.Fucker. I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hold back the smile. He was such a cheeky prick sometimes.

“Can I?” Susie looked at me with concern in her eyes.

“Of course you can.” I reached into the bag, broke the pastry in half and handed the biggest bit to her. “I think I’ll take the cherry roll today.”

I got my hand into the bag before Chris decided to whisk it out of reach—I wasn’t stupid—and he shot me a smirk. I took a bite and groaned in approval. The store went quiet, and when I looked up, there was a flush on Chris’s cheeks, and the others were glancing between us with obvious amusement.

For fuck’s sake.I ignored them and said, “Interesting breakfast, guys.”

“Don’t ask.” Rhys tossed his empty takeout cup in the bin. “Suffice to say, Beck is in special-forces cleaning mode. My mother arrives today.”

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