Page 19 of The Rich One

“Okay, then, coffee sounds great. Under one condition.” I give him a bright smile that probably screams psychopath, but in for a penny and all that.

“What’s that?” Damn, even with his brows pinched and a look of utter confusion, he’s still hot as fuck.

“You tell me your name so I don’t have to keep calling you Candy Aisle Guy in my head.”

“Candy Aisle Guy, huh? As opposed to Gas Station Guy?” Oh, he thinks he’s funny.

“Well, yes. And Coffee Shop Guy, but I’ve given up on him. I don’t think he’s legal.”

His answer is a smile so big, bright, and God damn sexy that I’m pretty sure I just wet my panties. But he doesn’t stop there. Leaning in, his voice like sex and dark chocolate, he whispers in my ear. “Nathaniel Reed.”

Fucking hell, now I know my panties are wet. Dripping, in fact.

“Okay, so, I am going to pay for my shopping?” My cheeks are on fire, I need to pull myself together and find some of my Rose confidence.

“And I’ll meet you outside when you’re done?”Two questions, River. Really? Two questions?

I clear my throat and throw my shoulders back, before nodding once and heading straight to the cash register.

“Ciao, Francesca. This is everything for today,grazie.” At the counter, I hand over my small basket of goodies so she can ring them up, smiling like a goon as she wags her eyebrows at me. Francesca knows about everything that goes on in this store.

“I say nothing,bella. Be safe, and have fun. Tell me everything next time, eh?” She grins at me, knowing full well I won’t tell hereverything,but still eager for information.

“Si, of course, you know I will.” Gossip is this woman’s life-blood. Obviously I don’t go around talking about my life, so I get why she’s so excited. Maybe I’ll give her the cliff-notes next time I’m in, just to make her happy.

“Buono,buono.A Presto, River.”

“Yup, see you soon, Francesca.” Shaking my head a little, my face actually hurting from the huge smile, I gather my things and head outside to wait for Nathaniel.Fuck, I love his name.

“Ready to go?”

I startle at the deep timbre of his voice, and when I turn around, I swear the color of his eyes intensifies in the bright sunlight.

“I am. Do you have somewhere in mind?”

I’m treading in unknown waters right now. Dates and one-on-one time with men while I’m ‘off duty’ is not something I do very often, if at all. He looks as nervous as I feel though, so I’m not uncomfortable. I mean, we’ve already gone through some awkward-ass shit, so I think we’re good for now. If anything, I feel good about this, about doing something normal. After all this time basically stalking the guy—yeah, I’ll admit to coinciding my shopping visits with his in hopes of stolen glimpses and polite smiles—and now I’m actually going for coffee with him. Okay, so it’s not a date-date, but it’s something.

With Kai being an ass at the moment, this comes as a welcome distraction.

“There’s a place just down the stre—”

Aqua’sBarbie Girlstarts blasting from my back pocket. That’s my work phone, and that ring tone means only one person.

Polly—I know that’s not her real name—my old Madam. The woman who introduced me to my first client. It’s unusual for her to call mid-week, which means I really should answer it. She’ll only keep calling back until I do.

Fuck’s sake, just when I’m about to do something that resembles normality.

“Sorry about this, I really should answer it.” Smiling apologetically, I pull my cell from my jeans. “Hey Polly. I’m with someone right now, can I call you back?”

Nathaniel pretends he’s not listening. It’s hard not to when I’m standing right here. I would do the same.

“Of course, darling. Five minutes okay?” Pushy as ever, that woman. But she’s done a lot for me and I owe her a few favors.

“Great, speak to you in five.” I don’t bother with pleasantries, she’s hung up before I can say another word anyway. Efficiency is the name of the game.

“Gotta go?” Nathaniel asks, a hint of disappointment passing across his features, quickly masked with a fake smile I know all too well. I wear one often.

“Yeah. I’m sorry. I feel like I keep saying that to you today. Can we raincheck?” Putting on my best apology face, I give him a small smile. I’m shy all of a sudden—an unfamiliar emotion for me.

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