Page 56 of Part of Me (The Seaside Chronicles 2)

A blush moved over her cheeks. “It’s okay. He kind of deserved it.”

“I wasn’t meaning to insult you or anything. I hope you know that.”

She nodded.

“I am glad I was your first, though.”

Sutton bit down on her lower lip, then glanced nervously around the shop. “I need to close out and clean up a bit.”

“I can stay, if there’s anything you need help with.”

“Would you mind breaking down the boxes in the other room? After I close out the till, I can straighten up in there and have the new area ready and open for business tomorrow.”

I glanced toward the back. “What about the loft? Is it ready to go?”

“It is, but I’ve got to be honest, I’m so worried about opening it up to customers.”

“Why?” I asked as Sutton stepped up to the register, typed in a few things, then took out the money drawer.

She looked at me and laughed. “Brody, I’m selling dildos in my store. I don’t know what in the world I was thinking.”

“Who cares? I think you’ll be surprised by how well they do.”

Sutton shrugged and headed toward the back. I paused at the entrance to the short hallway, and she paused halfway to her office. She turned around and asked, “Why did you stop by the store?”

“I wanted to see you.” The words were out before I even had a chance to think about them.

Her eyes widened, and she gifted me with a beautiful smile. “That’s so sweet. I’m glad you did…stop by.”

I nodded. “Me too.”

Our eyes locked for a few moments before she looked down at the drawer in her hands. “I better go take care of this.”

I pointed to the back room. “And I’ll take care of the boxes.”

“Great, thank you.”

Watching her walk into her office, I felt my chest tighten. I jammed my fingers through my hair and headed toward the back room.

Jesus, I was falling more and more in love with Sutton—and I had no fucking clue how to tell her.

After breaking down the last box and tying them all together, I brought them out to the recycle bin. I stepped back into the building as Sutton was shutting off all the lights.

“I’m sorry it’s so late. You look exhausted, Brody.”

“I’m okay. Just glad I have tomorrow off.”

Her face lit up. “Do you? I wasn’t sure how long it would take us to set up the new space, so I wasn’t planning on opening until one tomorrow. Want to grab a pizza and maybe watch a movie together? I mean, unless you’re too tired. I’m a bundle of nerves, and I know I won’t be able to go to sleep right away. Plus, I’m starving.”

I felt a new surge of energy. “Pizza and a movie sound good to me. What kind of pizza do you want? I’ll call it in and pick it up on the way home.”

Sutton giggled.

Smiling, I asked, “What?”

“It’s just weird.”

“What’s weird?”

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