Page 117 of Shattering Nash

Keely gasped. “Shit, Charley, that does suck. I’ve lost mine like three times.”

Thank you, Elle.

Charley chatted with Keely. Thankfully, her friend was a talker, and after a five-minute conversation about the lost phone, Keely was on to another thing. Charley’d spent the last thirty minutes at the register listening to Keely talk about her disastrous date.

“I’m not dating anymore.”

Charley shrugged. “You’ll meet someone great, Keely.”

She snorted. “Doubtful.”

This feels normal.

“My shift ends at nine. You want to meet up and grab dinner?” Charley asked.

Keely’s shoulders sagged, and she pouted. “I have to work.”

“What time?”

“Seven.”

Charley looked up at the clock and widened her eyes. “It’s six fifty-four.”

Keely groaned and pushed off the counter. “Another write up.”

“How many do you have?”

Keely shrugged. “I stopped counting after eight.” Keely headed to the door just as someone was walking in.

“Hey,” Keely said, smiling up at Caine. As per usual, he didn’t say a word. He barely spared her a look. It didn’t stop Keely. She moved closer, and he narrowed his gaze.

“We met before. We were at the X-Lounge. You were there when we were leaving at the end of the night. I almost fell, but you caught me. A very gentlemanly move.” Keely’s teasing tone did nothing to chip away at Caine’s hard exterior. He looked across the shop, ignoring the comment.

“I asked you if I could ask you a question, and you said no.” Keely laughed and held up her hands. “I get it. Probably not the first drunk girl you encountered that night at the club. I’ve been told I’m a little annoying when I’m hammered. A little too much fun.” She chuckled and waved her hand. “Probably shouldn’t be reminding you of my negative qualities.” Keely was beyond flirty, but it totally worked for her. Charley wished she had some of Keely’s personality.

Keely tucked her hands in her back pockets and cocked her hip.

“So? Do you remember me?”

Caine slowly angled his head, his sharp scowl angrier than usual. His eyes drifted over her body and lifted to meet her gaze.

“No.”

Ouch!Charley winced at his ferocious tone. She looked at Keely, who seemed just as surprised at his response. Her smile faltered, and her face pinkened. Keely recovered, but Charley could see her smile was forced. It was a rather harsh response, and it definitely put Keely in a place no one ever wanted to find themselves.Not memorable.

“Well.” Keely’s laugh was off, and Charley felt it to her core. Her friend was embarrassed. “Lots of drunk women at the club. After a long night, I bet we all start looking the same. Anyway” —Keely looked over to the counter where Charley was standing and waved— “I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Bye, Charley.”

“Bye, Keely.”

Keely stepped away from Caine and walked to the door. Charley heard a faint, “Bye.” It was meant for Caine and not reciprocated. Keely walked out at the same time Caine’s phone rang. She couldn’t hear the conversation but a minute later he was walking through the store and headed toward the back.

“Not all lies are bad, especially when they spare someone embarrassment,” Charley said, staring down at the inventory of earrings on the counter. Caine stopped next to her, and she looked over.

Caine’s intense gaze almost had her wishing she’d kept her mouth shut and minded her own business.Almost.But how could she? Keely’s pain was obvious, and her feelings had been hurt.

Charley shrugged. “You could’ve lied to her.”

Caine’s gaze hardened. “I did.”

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