Page 82 of Beyond the Blue Horizon
She untangled herself from the man who was every bit as tattooed as Theo, cut from that same cloth of ruthlessness, though there was an easy glint to his eyes when he looked up and saw me there.
The woman moved closer to the counter, and her head tipped to the side as she took me in. “We are. I’m just getting ready to open the shop tomorrow, and with ski season and the holidays, we’re definitely going to be shorthanded. I’m Emery.”
Relief gusted through me. I wasn’t too late and apparently wasn’t interrupting anything too scandalous.
“It’s so nice to meet you. I’m Piper.” Nervously, I chewed at my bottom lip, shrugging a little when I asked, “I was hoping I could put in an application?”
“Of course. Are you new to town? I’ve never seen you before.”
New to town.
It rang of permanence.
As if I’d found my place.
My nod was shaky. “Yes. I just got into town and am looking for a permanent place to stay. I…I hope that’s not a problem?”
“No, not at all.”
Another rush of relief, and I took a couple steps in her direction. “That’s great. I could really use this job.”
Not because I actually needed the money, but because if we were going to stay here, I needed to play the part. Slip in and be as normal as possible.
“And I could really use the help,” Emery said.
“Where are you staying?” the man behind her asked, curiosity burning from his both terrifying and handsome face.
I supposed the sight of him answered my question.
All the men in this town looked like harbingers of death.
I cleared my throat and forced out, “The Sanctuary. Though it might be more aptly called The Prison.”
I nearly clapped my hand over my mouth.
What in the world? Why would I say that?
My stupid nerves were making me blabber.
I released a horrified laugh.
“What do you mean?” Emery’s defined brows arched for the ceiling.
I inhaled and tried to clarify what never should have come out of my mouth in the first place. “The owner is a little…overprotective. He demanded to know where I was going when I left today. He somehow thinks just because he did me a favor, I’ve become his responsibility.”
And there I went again.
Flustered, I dropped my attention to the floor and scratched at my temple as if it might trigger my brain back into thinking properly.
Clearly, my people skills were lacking.
“I probably shouldn’t be unloading that on you, should I?”
A small giggle rolled from Emery, as if she didn’t think my word vomit was strange at all. “You can definitely unload it since I’m pretty sure you and I are going to be great friends. Just to be clear, you are talking about Theo?”
My head snapped up. “Yes. Theo Mallin. You know him?”
“Oh, I definitely know him.” Glee lit on her pretty face.
