Page 60 of Twisted Hearts

“Not nice,” he murmured, but he bent and pressed his lips to the baby in his arms, expression softening.

“True though. You going to let me hold her today?”

He flashed his wife a wicked gleam. “No. You carried her for nine months—it’s my turn now.”

Shannon laughed.

Based on Oliver’s expression, I didn’t think he was kidding at all.

I felt someone come up next to me, and she bumped my hip. “Hey, I’m Ashley. Ignore them—they’re always about three seconds away from making the fire sprinklers erupt with the heat they put off when they’re together.”

“Must be nice,” I whispered, choking down my laughter.

“Tell me about it. They are relationship goals if I’ve ever seen it.” She tilted her head toward the counters. “Want to come hang out with Heather and me and pretend we’re working but really we’re just drooling over how sexy Oliver is?”

I laughed. Everyone I’d met here seemed absolutely nutty.

But…she wasn’t wrong.

“That sounds like the best offer I’ve had in weeks.”

* * *

It wasan hour or so later, and Oliver had long since left. These girls were hilarious, and in between customers, we were able to do some lighthearted talking. Shannon had gone back to her office when I assured her I was fine out front. Eventually, I grew bored and wandered back to her office.

Since her disheveled space gave me massive anxiety, I asked if she minded if I cleaned up a bit or filed a few items—somethingto address the disaster. She threw her head back and laughed, waved an arm, and said, “Go for it.”

So that’s where I was, squatting down in her bottom filing cabinet, sorting mail and bills and receipts, all while swerving out of Shannon’s way every time she whipped around in her office chair. Suddenly the door swung open so quick it almost slammed against my ass.

Shannon and I both screamed, and I jumped to my feet, my hand to my chest.

“What the hell?”

“Sorry.” Shawn stood in the doorway, a thunderous look on his face. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You’re back.” I sighed once my heart started working again.

“We need to talk.”

And there went my heart stopping again. “What?

“Come on.” He lifted his head and gestured toward the doors to my apartment. He lifted his hand toward Shannon, who was still sitting in her chair, gaping at the interruption, some metal tool in her hand frozen in the air.

“Um.” She flashed wide eyes at me and bit down on her bottom lip. “It was good spending the day with you. And if you want to keep organizing my office for me, you’re welcome any time.”

I chuckled, shaking my head, and teased, “And if I don’t feel like organizing?”

“You’re still welcome, I suppose.”

“Fine.” I grabbed my purse and squeezed her shoulder as I passed her. “See you later.”

“You bet.”

“Thanks for letting her hang with you today,” Shawn said, finally seeming to remember some manners.

Not that that was important at the moment. I was more interested in knowing why he looked like he wanted to rip someone’s face off with his bare hands.

Hopefully it would be Daniel’s face he removed.

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