Page 74 of The Wish List
Freya frowned as she felt Greer tense but kept her attention on his client. She was pretty sure Garrett hadn’t been talking about her mother. “I’m a big fan of your work,” she told the author. “I have to admit I prefer the books to movie adaptations, even the one starring Brad Pitt.”
Garrett tipped the drill toward her as if in salute. “I appreciate that, and I imagine someone with your obvious natural talent would be a fair judge.”
Freya darted a glance toward Greer. What kind of natural talent was Garrett talking about? She couldn’t imagine a world where he was a fan of reality television, although she wouldn’t have guessed that about Greer either.
“I’m not sure—”
“He’s watchingDating on Site,” Greer supplied. “In the latest installment of his series, Garrett has a subplot involving a home improvement show and a suspicious host. I suggested he study parts of your oeuvre for tips on how to handle.”
“My oeuvre?” Freya asked at the same time Garrett murmured, “What tips?”
A muscle ticked in Greer’s jaw despite his blinding smile. He shoved the hammer toward the author. “I’ll grab the lumber and meet you in back.”
“Sure, buddy.” He smiled again at Freya. “It was a pleasure. I hope we can talk in more detail. In fact, Lily and I are having a post-holiday open house the day after Christmas.” He glanced at Greer. “Our strange friend will also be there. I hope you’ll stop by, Freya.”
Invited to a party with a famous author. Could she spin that for social media? Immediately, she chided herself for even considering it. That was exactly why she didn’t want her California life to interfere with her time in Magnolia. It made her into a person she didn’t like all that much.
“I’d love to. Thanks for the invite.” She plucked the necklace off the hook. “I’m going to finish here.”
“The dress is lovely on you,” Garrett said without a trace of sarcasm. “See you in a minute, Greer.”
A few seconds later, Freya gasped as Greer slid into the dressing room, coming to stand directly behind her as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror.
“So damn beautiful.” With one finger, he pulled the hair away from her neck.
A shudder ran through her as he placed a lingering kiss on the sensitive skin just under her ear.
“You must have some sort of librarian fetish,” she told him, trying to play off the way her body reacted to his attention.
“Not exactly. I have a you fetish. Only you.”
“How’s it look?” Mariella’s voice called out before Freya could react to Greer’s statement.
“You were right,” Freya said hoping he didn’t hear the tremble in her voice. “I actually like it.”
“I love it,” he whispered.
“That’s great,” Mariella answered. “I have to ring up a customer, then I can grab a couple more pieces if you want to try on anything else. Now that you understand my taste is impeccable.”
“I’ll just take this one for now,” Freya said as Greer ran his hands along the soft fabric that clung to her hips.
“Sounds like a plan.”
As soon as she heard Mariella move away, Freya rounded on Greer. “The plan is not to get caught being groped in a public dressing room.”
“I wouldn’t call this groping.” He took a step back, giving her space she both needed and didn’t want. “I can get there if you’d like. I’ve been wanting to touch you again since the moment I left your bed.”
She splayed her hands on his chest. “But you haven’t. You didn’t say anything. You didn’t even act like it happened. It was as if it didn’t mean anything.”
He blinked. “Freya, do you think I’m the type of man who would sleep with a woman who didn’t mean anything to me?”
How could she admit she wasn’t the kind of woman who was worth caring about?
“You didn’t say anything,” she repeated, plucking an invisible hair off of his shirt collar.
“I didn’t want to scare you off, but now I’m even more sorry if I hurt your feelings.”
She pressed her lips together. Admitting she was upset by his behavior would make her seem weak and vulnerable. It would give him power.
