Page 14 of Bear In A Bookstore
“Oh, I’m sure.”
He came closer. Kora eyed him, appraising the confident way he walked, how in control of himself he appeared to be. She was safe with him. Pissed that he’d just conned her into a fake date, yes, but safe. It was silly to be thinking that way considering they were strangers, but that’s just the feeling he gave her. And it was kind of nice.
“There’ll be many other fundraisers going on for various organizations. Just wait; you’ll see. Business owners coined this time of year Broke Week because of all the donations they’ll be dishing out for seven days.”
Come to think of it, Jonathon Baker had said something about Broke Week when he’d delivered the brochures and the black roses. She’d set the papers aside without a second thought.
“I’m not going to be your date.”
He shrugged. “Ok, I’ll admit I played a little dirty. Don’t be my date, but at least show up. The gala is at the Stanley Hotel, this Saturday at seven in the evening.”
“Did you really use me to rescue yourself from that perfectly beautiful woman?”
He thought about that a moment, then nodded.
Everything had been strange since the moment he walked into her store. Bouncing the keys in her palm, she rounded the front of her SUV and clicked the unlock while looking at him over the hood.
“This is payback for the beaver snafu, isn’t it?”
“That, and you owe me for fixing your printer.”
She rolled her eyes and opened the door. “Great. If this is what I have to pay for you punching my printer into submission, I don’t think I’ll like the bill I get for the security system.”
Her words came out much lighter and flirtier than she intended. He noticed, because of course he did and arched a brow.
“We can negotiate. I’m flexible.”
She curled her lip. “I bet you are.” She got into the SUV.
“I’d really like you to be my date.”
Holding back a smile, she closed the door.I bet you would, she thought, and sped away.
Chapter Five
DesiwatchedKoradriveaway and then got in his truck and made a pass around the bookstore.
It was dark now and the sidewalks were nicely lit from streetlamps. A soft light shone from within the building. Recalling what she’d said earlier about having past security issues, he parked and checked the lock on the front door before also testing the door in the back. Both were locked tight.
She’d revealed enough about herself that he didn’t like the idea of putting off the security system. He had the impression that whatever had happened to her had been significant, and he wouldn’t be able to relax until he was satisfied that she was protected.
Back in his truck, he found himself staring mindlessly at the bookstore. The top half of the exterior had a fresh coat of black paint that looked nice against the original terra-cotta colored brick on the lower building. A bright blue door with a tarnished brass knob added a burst of color that would draw attention. He hoped the store would be a success. Many businesses had come and gone inside the old building, never doing well for more than a few years, almost like the place was cursed or something.
Scoffing at himself, he was just about to drive away when his phone rang.
It was his father. A muscle in Desi’s jaw twitched. He’d ignored his father’s earlier call and was honestly surprised it had taken the old man this long to call back. Rowan Mitchell did not take kindly to being ignored.
“Dad,” he greeted as he answered.
“Yeah, I need you on a job tomorrow.”
Desi pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “I’m busy in the morning. What do you need?”
“I need you all day, starting at six in the morning. Dax is busy with the babies and Jett is out of town.”
“That’s not going to work for me. Sorry.”
“Your brothers have legitimate things preventing them from working tomorrow. You don’t have the same excuse, son, so I’ll see you at six.”
