Page 80 of Shattering Nash

“Ridge said Charley might be in your office?”

Nash widened the door, and she stepped inside.

“Hi.” Charley waved, and he noticed her hand shake slightly.

Discretion was key, but her guilt was unnecessary.

“Charley was standing in the hall, and I offered her my office to wait. I thought she may be more comfortable here where she could have a seat.”

Elodie hummed, her eyes gleaming. “Yet here she is standing.”

Nash ignored the comment, and Elodie moved passed him.

“Sorry about that, Charley. My man can be stubborn.”

Charley waved her hand, “I didn’t mind waiting.” Her cheeks immediately pinkened, and he bit back his smile. “Did you um, work things out?”

“Yes.” Elodie laughed. “We’ve come to a common ground. He’s forbidden me to be there all day, and I’ve chosen to ignore him.”

Nash chuckled and watched as Elodie escorted Charley out the door. He glanced down at his watch.

Only a few more hours.

Nash was rounding his desk when his phone rang. A quick glance at the screen and he answered immediately.

“Yeah.”

“It’s me. Took longer than I thought, but I got something you’re gonna wanna hear,” Sullivan said, and Nash straightened his back.

“When can you meet up?” Nash asked.

“If you can make it happen, tomorrow night at ten. Same spot?”

Nash didn’t know what his schedule looked like for the next day. It didn’t matter. He’d make the necessary adjustments to ensure he was available. This was a priority.

“Yes.”

“I’ll see you then.” Sullivan snorted. “And just a heads up? I won’t be alone. Bringing an old friend.”

Sullivan hung up, and Nash dropped his phone to his desk.

An old friend?

Chapter Sixteen

As promised, Nash set the alarm. She’d gotten up on time, but she was still racing to the shop at eight in the morning. It seemed his idea of waking up meant other things. She wasn’t complaining, but it made for a chaotic morning getting downtown.

Most of the employees had rotating shifts throughout the day. Charley and Elodie were there the whole time. With the heavy advertising, they’d been inundated with new customers as well as their regulars. By the time she flipped the closed sign, Charley was ready to pass out.

Elodie had a small finger food station set up near the front door. Charley was currently cleaning up. She had the garbage bag in one hand and the plastic trays in another when she heard the bell ring over the door.

She straightened and stilled when Oz walked inside. He didn’t visit the shop often. In fact, since their initial introduction, she couldn’t recall him ever stopping by.Thank God.He had a presence that set her on edge.

“Hi.”

His jaw squared without any type of acknowledgement. Charley shifted on her feet, scanning the store. Anything to avoid eye contact. She hooked her thumb over her shoulder, gesturing to the hallway.

“Elle’s in the back.”

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