Page 23 of I've Got You

“Yeah. That would be good.” He released my palm and tucked his hand in his pocket. I made sure not to let my gaze linger, but his hand was temptingly close to his zipper.

Before I could respond, he stepped fully away, gave me a head lift, and made his way out of my place. I remained rooted as I watched him leave, only getting my ass into gear when Katie’s less-than-subtle clearing of her throat cut into my lingering gaze and heated thoughts. I cut the latter off immediately.One day, maybe, I said to myself, knowing full well I was full of shit.

Shaking my head, I faced the counter and shifted my eyes away from a grinning Katie. Just as I was about to take a step, my name had me turning and my eyes widening. “Hey.” I tilted my head. While happy Scott once more stood in front of me, confusion made my brain swirl. Not only because of his return, but because he looked nervous as hell. “What’s up?” I cast my gaze to where we’d sat, wondering if maybe he’d left something behind. Coming up with nothing, I returned my focus to him.

“I was just wondering—” He lifted his hand to his head and rubbed his palm over the top. My eyes were immediately drawn to his corded bicep as he made the movement. The gesture appeared unnatural, too nervous for a guy like Scott.

“Yeah?” I asked. I took a step toward him and gestured to the side of the shop so we’d be out of the doorway and away from prying customers.

He swiftly stepped with me, positioning himself directly in front of me. It was nice being evenly matched in height. Nice being able to look someone in the eye without being towered over or getting a crick in my neck by staring down.

“I was—” He cleared his throat, his eyes shifting around the shop before returning to make contact with mine. “I was wondering if you’d consider letting me work for you.”

My eyes sprung open so widely I had no doubt I’d give a cartoon character a run for its money.

“Just until you find someone permanently. You know, as an interim job,” Scott rushed out.

Aware I, or rather my dumbfounded expression, was no doubt the cause of the heat creeping across his cheeks, I quickly smiled at him.

“I know you’re looking and are struggling. I have this free time on my hands and could do with a bit of extra cash to tide me over, but more, I need to busy myself, you know? Until I work out what I’m going to do. I just thought maybe it would be doing us both a favor.” He shrugged.

I tilted my head at the poor guy who was looking more and more perplexed with every word he spoke. Fuck, he was all levels of hot when he was nervous. A lick of flame sparked to life in my gut. Did I really want to be putting myself in such close proximity to this guy?

Ignoring the flashing warning signs building at the back of such a thought, I nodded, probably a little too quickly to be casual or suave. “Yeah, sure. Great. Yeah. That would be great.” I slammed my mouth shut.What the heck?It was that bastard flame. Apparently, it had grown a head and a mouth, or grown fucking something, enough to put stupid-ass words in my mouth and get me behaving like a stumbling idiot.

I needed to douse that shit out real quick.

“Yes,” I said around an amused smile. I mentally high-fived myself for keeping my voice controlled and normal. “That could actually work out really well.” Katie prevented me from continuing, calling out my name once more. “Shit. I have to go and deal with whatever Katie needs me for. I’m off in a couple of hours, how about—” I cut myself short. I had Libby to collect and wanted to head to the park after.

Scott’s brows lifted, no doubt wondering why I’d stopped.

“Sorry, I was going to suggest we hash out the details, but I’m going to the park with Libby as soon as I’ve picked her up.”

He nodded. “Perhaps I can just call you tonight when she’s in bed or something?”

My lips kicked up. “Yeah, that would be great.” I was far too tempted to invite him along, but was sure that would be all levels of weird, so I held back, which was so unlike me. Scott was tying me up in knots, and I wasn’t yet sure how to handle that.

“Davis!” Katie’s voice carried over.

“Listen, how about I grab your number from Carter, and I’ll call you once she’s settled. Will that work?” I edged away from him, backing up toward the counter and Katie.

With a grin, he nodded. “Sounds good. Thanks.”

“Talk to you later.” I waved him off and spun to a harassed-looking Katie. “Sorry.”

She narrowed her gaze at me, but the twitch of her lips told me she wasn’t that pissed off.

I rushed past her and almost stumbled over my feet when she called after me, “With an ass like that, I can totally get why you wanna take a bite.”

I snorted my way into the kitchen.

Chapter Ten

SCOTT

Christ almighty,what was I thinking? I swept my hand over my face as I stepped out of the shower and reached for a towel. I patted myself dry while considering if I needed my head checked out. Nothing I was doing, nothing about the way I was behaving was the norm.

Wrapping the towel around my waist, I cast a wary glance at the steamy mirror, relieved I couldn’t see myself fully. I couldn’t recognize myself anymore. And that wasn’t because of the messy scruff I’d taken to wearing over the last few weeks.

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