Page 125 of Sweet Escape
She laughs, and it might be the most beautiful sound in the world. “Yeah. Sorry. Do you want to check that one out, or…?”
“Or?”
“Not? Honestly, there really isn’t another option.”
I lean forward, the leather creaking as my body shifts. “We could invent another option.”
Her brows draw together, bringing my attention back to those eyes that are more green than blue today. “What do you mean?”
“I could help you close and take you for a drink after.”
She opens her mouth to answer, but I don’t get to find out what she was about to say as the owner of Chapters and Brews strides over and wraps Callie in a hug. “Hey, babe. This dipshit giving you any trouble?”
“Very funny, Mo,” I say. “I was just offering to take Callie out for a drink after work. No harm done.”
“Shooting your shot with my girl, Hayes?”
“Didn’t know she wasyourgirl. My bad.”
“Neither did I,” Callie says, crossing her arms over her ample chest.
“Well, fuck me for trying to help,” Mo says.
“Thank you for the unnecessary rescue, but I’m fine. Jaxon is basically a part of the furniture in this place. If he was going to kidnap or murder me, he’s had plenty of time to do so.”
“So, you’ve noticed me.”
“Hard not to when you’re all…” she gestures wildly over my body, and I wish she’d actually put those hands on me.
I quirk a brow. “Gorgeous? Devastatingly handsome? A work of art?”
“Full of shit,” Mo quips. “But since you’re offering drinks, I think we shouldbothtake you up on the offer.”
“I don’t do threesomes.”
“Tattooed cowboys with overinflated egos aren’t really my type, either. But maybe you should try it. Might humble you.”
“Oh. My. God,” Callie grumbles, covering her face with her hands. “Let me close up, and we can all go for a drink. Asfriends.”
Mo takes a seat in the leather armchair opposite me and sighs as Callie takes her leave.
“Spit it out,” I say.
“She’s not your type.”
“How would you know what my type is?”
“You forgetting I knew you in high school?”
I give a humorless snort. “That was a lifetime ago. As you know, some things change.”
That seems to get through to them, and they nod, their half lime-green, half black hair bobbing with each movement. “Callie’s been through some shit. I won’t get into it without her permission—that’s her story to tell—but if you hurt her, I will kill you. And I know plenty of ways to dispose of your body, so nobody ever finds you.”
I hold up my hands in surrender. “It’s just a drink as friends.”
“For now. But I saw the way you looked at her.”
Before Mo can say any more, Callie returns with a book bag slung over one shoulder, a cardigan draped around her with delicate floral embroidery around the neckline. Her short black skirt hugs her round ass, and I can’t help but let my gaze drift to the sliver of exposed skin at her cleavage. I was never the type of guy who had a thing for the sexy librarian, but I’m starting to rethink my stance.
