Page 72 of Monster Among the Roses (Fairy Tale Quartet 1)

“I want Shaw to work for me, except he insists he belongs to you and can only do what you tell him to. So can you give him permission to work there with me, instead of here with you?”

“I…” Henry turned to me and stared for a moment before saying, “I believe I could willingly give you over into Isobel’s hands for employment, though I can’t say any of the other staff will be happy about this. They’ve become quite dependent on your handyman skills.”

Unable to fully believe this twist in plans, I nodded. “I’m sure it’ll be months before we get the shop opened. I can keep coming here as usual until then. Maybe I can even help you find a new handyman to replace me.”

“I’m not sure we’d be able to find anyone to fill the shoes you leave behind, but that sounds like a fine idea to me. Thank you, Shaw.”

Isobel grinned and clapped her hands together. “It’s settled then.”

I gulped, not sure how to take everything in. Things seemed to be changing at warp speed. And they were once again too good to be true.

Neither Nash seemed concerned or worried about fate intervening with something drastic, though.

“Izzy,” Henry declared. “To celebrate how proud I am of these huge steps you’re taking, I want to send you two out to dinner this weekend. On me. I’ll take care of all the arrangements.”

“Dad, you don’t have to—”

“I insist!”

Isobel and I exchanged glances. She shrugged. So I shrugged, and that was enough for Henry. He s

et one hand on my shoulder and one hand on hers, grinning at the both of us. “I’ll admit I was worried earlier this evening when I realized how close you two had become, but after seeing how happy you are and how willing you are to get out and experience the world again, I’m beginning to think this was the best damn thing that could’ve ever happened.”

I gulped, worried he was really over tempting fate and certain he’d take a weapon after me if he knew I’d just had his daughter in the back seat of his truck. But I remained silent as I watched father and daughter grin at each other.

“Thank you, Dad,” Isobel murmured, pressing another kiss to his cheek. Then she turned to me. “And you.” Her hand gripped the front of my shirt before her voice dropped seductively low. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then she hauled me down for a kiss.

Our lips barely touched, the pressure only a promise of more to come. But it still made my body stir. I felt that light-headed giddiness again as she pulled away.

“See you,” I said as she turned away and started inside.

Henry let me stare after her until she’d disappeared behind the door before he cleared his throat.

I jumped, having forgotten he was there. Certain he was going to tell me his true feelings about my relationship with her, I tensed.

But all he said was, “I think I’ll set you up with reservations at Urbane for this Saturday.”

I nodded, relieved. “Okay. Thank you, sir. But, uh, do you know how much a meal there usually costs? I’m not sure I can afford—”

“I said I’d take care of it,” Henry announced.

But I growled, “The hell you will,” making us both jerk in surprise and gape at each other.

I flushed, unable to believe I’d just said that to my boss. “I mean…” Face hot and heart pounding, I explained, “With all due respect, sir, I’m the one taking her there, right?” It was a pride thing. I should be the one to fund dinner. Not Henry.

“But I said it was my treat. I never meant for you to—”

“I want to,” I said quietly.

He stared at me a moment before giving a respectful nod. “At least allow me to help you dress yourself for the occasion.”

I glanced down at my usual ragged jeans and T-shirt, only to feel another rash of shame. Nothing I owned would suffice for a night out with Isobel at the posh Urbane restaurant. “Yeah,” I relented. “That would be fine.”

He nodded, looking relieved, before he pulled a phone from his pocket. When whoever was on the other end answered, he immediately barked, “Hollander’s taking Izzy on a date this Saturday and has nothing suitable to wear. Can I count on you? Great. I’ll send him over now.”

He hung up and tossed out an address for me to remember. “Go. Get yourself set up.”

My eyebrows lifted. “What? Right now?”

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