Page 9 of An Irish Kiss
“You work here?”He eyed the books still in her arms.Then smirked.“Or are these books you plan to buy yourself?”
She looked at the covers.Sure enough, the one positioned on top had a man dressed in historic Highlands garb, which seemed to consist of a kilt and not much else.Her cheeks heated.“No.”
“No you don’t work here or that’s not your book of choice?”
“I do work here, sometimes.And no, that isdefinitelynot my reading material of choice.”
“Good to know.”
“Why?”
He shrugged, in that easy-going way of his.“It’s nice to think people don’t need bare chests in their books.”
The heat in her cheeks intensified, even as his comment drew appreciation.“So, is there something I can help you with?”
His mouth curved to the left, then he nodded once and pivoted, glancing around.“I’m happy to browse.”
“Okay, then.”
“Okay, then.”
Was he mocking her?Oh, it was an effort not to frown, to be pleasant, like the helpful nice person she usually was.“Well, if you need a hand, please sing out.”
He chuckled.“You really don’t want to hear that.”
She hesitated.Had she been that rude that he didn’t think she’d help him?“Look, I’m sorry if we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot.”
“Huh?No.I just meant you really don’t want to hear me singing.”
“Oh.”Phew.She found a smile, aimed for conciliation.“I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
“Oh, I’m sure it is.Does anyone do karaoke around here?If so, I can prove it.”
She laughed.
His face brightened.“But I bet you sing well.”
“Why do you say that?”It was true, but how did he know?
“Because your laughter sounds like bells.”
Oh…
Had any man ever said anything quite so lovely to her?If she hadn’t already felt a soul-click with this man, comments like that were enough to tip her over the edge into complete heart and soul connection.She peeked up at him.
His cheeks had pinked.“Yeah, I’m gonna go look over here.”
Aww, poor thing.He was embarrassed.“Let me know if I can help in any way.”
He nodded, disappearing behind a tall row of book-laden shelves.
She shook her head at herself, wondering just what had occurred.Was she that shallow that only one compliment was enough to melt all frost within?And just why was he embarrassed?Comments like his didn’t mean anything—unless, maybe, they did.
Another customer waited at the counter, and she moved there, stealing a glance down the aisle where Aidan squatted, reading the back cover in the historical non-fiction section of their local area.Be still her heart.He was interested in local history?Well, she could definitely help with that.
“Excuse me?”
Come on, focus.She smiled at the elderly female customer.“Hello, Mrs.McGuigan.Sorry about that.”
