Page 56 of Shattering Nash

“Yes, and I think we can both agree the alternative of dealing with Oz is much worse.”

Elodie laughed as Charley remained crouched down behind the register stand.

“Fine. Let me just grab my bag and say bye to Charley.” There was a long pause. “Wait, where did she go?”

Charley squeezed her eyes, fighting against the crimson heat invading her cheeks.I’m a twenty-nine-year-old woman hiding behind a display.

“Alright, well, let me just finish this, and I’ll leave.”

Charley heard their footsteps veer toward the opposite side of the store. This was her opportunity to make a beeline for the storage room. She’d send Elodie a text saying she had to leave, and she’d see her tomorrow. It was a little irrational and out of character but hopefully believable.

She slowly peeked up behind the counter, careful not to draw any attention. Apparently not careful enough. Elodie washanging some blouses on the rack, and Nash was standing beside her…staring directly at Charley. She quickly ducked, basically crawling to the hallway opening and racing into the back room. She grabbed her phone off the desk and quickly typed.

Charley: Just stepped out to pick up something. I’ll see you tomorrow.

She cupped the phone and rested it against her chest.

When Charley heard the footsteps heading to the storage room, she slipped into the small closet. She gingerly closed the door. The entire store had major renovations, but this small thing was missed. It had never fully closed. And it still didn’t.Shit.

“Cy is out back. He’ll follow you home.”

“Thanks, Nash.”

“My pleasure.”

Charley’s shoulders sagged, and she leaned against the wall in the small darkened space.My pleasure.She’d come to claim it as something Nash said only to her. Apparently, he said it to everyone. It didn’t make her special.

“Night, Nash.”

“Goodnight, Elle.”

Charley leaned closer to the crack in the door and saw one shadow pass. A few seconds later, she heard the door open and close in place. Elodie was gone.But where the hell is Nash?Maybe he’d left with her? Charley could’ve sworn she only saw one shadow. It was possible her mind was playing tricks on her. She inched closer to the door and breathed in a familiar scent. His. It could’ve been lingering. But…

“How long do you intend on hiding in the closet?”

Her racing heart stopped, and she slapped her hand over her face, cupping her mouth.

Shit!

Three slow taps on the door had Charley squeezing her eyes shut with her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

“I have all the time in the world, Charley.”

There was no escape.

It was time to wave her white flag. She tucked her phone in her pocket, drew in a breath and slipped out of the closet. She ran her hand over her head when her hair got tangled in a hanger.Great.Not only did she look like a fool but an unkempt, messy one. She smoothed her hair, staring at the floor. His shoes indicated he was only a few feet from her. If ever there was a moment she wished she could disappear into obscurity…this was it.

“Did you find what you were looking for in the closet?”

She pressed her lips together. He didn’t seem the least bit upset with her. If anything, he appeared amused. It was the polar opposite of how she was feeling.

“I was just, um” —She hooked her thumb over her shoulder— “There was a” —She paused, racking her brain— “Thing, and I was looking for it.”

His slow deep hum sent a spark through her veins. The only thing better would’ve been hearing him groan.I’m also curious about his grunting.He did that a lot in her fantasies right before he…

The faint scent of his cologne became stronger as he leaned closer, whispering. “You’re blushing.”

Dammit!She dropped her chin to her chest, shielding her face. Nash took a step back, and she gauged his distance by his shoes. Only a foot away. She was internally struggling between wanting him closer and crawling to the ends of the earth for separation. Although she had no memory of the events at the club, Penny’s small details were enough. They were too much.

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