Page 56 of Quintessentially

“Yes, there was a lot of syrup,” I say.

She ushers us both inside and relocks the door. “Well, Miss Molly, let’s get your hands washed and teeth brushed.” Kandace looks at the bag in my hand. “Did Joyce send lunch?”

“It’s better than the school’s,” Molly says. “Their pizza is gross. And the apples have worms.”

“They do not have worms,” Kandace says.

“That’s what Tim said. And I tasted the pizza. It is gross.”

“It’s hard to argue with that,” Kandace says as she takes Molly to the back of the store.

This is the first time I’ve been in the storefront in years. Walking around the room, I notice the products. Not only the items themselves, but the way they’re displayed. It is new and inventive while still having the retro feel of nostalgia.

“Dax,” Kandace says from the doorway. “The store doesn’t open until nine. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Help?” Her blue eyes shimmer. “I thought you were working.” She lifts her chin to the back room. “The totes and boxes you brought over are in the way. And I won’t need that merchandise for a few months. For now, I can store them upstairs. Do you know anyone who could carry them for me?”

“You’re really going to make me work?” I joke.

“Damn right. I recently found out my offer on this store has been accepted. My to-do list is a mile long.”

Molly tugs on Kandace’s hand. “You said a bad word.”

“Oops. You’re right.”

With a sexy grin, Kandace turns, giving me the pleasure of watching her round ass in her blue jeans do a little sway. The back door closes and I go to the bathroom to wash the syrup from my hands. Above the sink is an old medicine cabinet. Opening it, I see two toothbrushes and other personal items.

How many hours a day does Kandace spend here, I wonder.

Back to the piles of tubs and boxes, I lift the first tub. It’s been years, but I remember where the door is to the upstairs. Opening the door and turning on the light, I look at the dust-covered staircase and begin my ascent. Once at the top, I set the tub down and take in the space.

Kandace wants to make this a home?

ChapterTwenty-One

Kandace

It’s Tuesday afternoon and the store is slow. I’ve taken advantage of having someone to carry and move things. Together, Dax and I have moved shelves and cleaned. I also asked him to put together some shelving I’d had at my folks’. The back room is more crowded, but most of the extra inventory is now available whenever I need it.

Dax looks as handsome as ever as he leans against the doorjamb between the back room and the office with his arms crossed over his chest. His long legs are clad in blue jeans, and he’s wearing the blue t-shirt he’d worn at the softball game.

“I like your hair longer,” I say.

He runs his long fingers through it. “I don’t know. It was something different. Are you still planning to take Quintessential Treasures online?”

“I am.”

“You’re going to need more room for merchandise.”

Sighing, I lean back in the office chair. “I’m going to need more than that. I’ll need room for shipping—boxing and mailing.”

“You can’t do this alone.”

“I was waiting for you to sign the store over to me. Mr. Murphy said until you did, I was basically just an employee.”

His golden eyes narrow. “You’re notjustanything.”

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