Page 42 of Bargains with her Naga Boss

“Okay,” he said.

“It’s not you,” she said.

“Okay,” he said. “If you say so.”

“I thought… could we hang out again tonight?”

A smile split his features. “You sure?”

She nodded. “Very sure.”

“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do.”

She smiled too. “Okay. So, I’ll come to your place again? If you’d rather I feed myself first—”

“I can feed you. I’ve got food.”

“I don’t want to inconvenience you, though.”

“You don’t. At all.”

“Okay.” She couldn’t stop smiling.

He pressed in close to her, and he ran his fingers over hers, just a light touch, and then he was gone. Blink and you miss it.

She stared at him, sighing. Wow. Shelikedhim.

NILES PUSHED THROUGHthe swinging door. “We’re closed,” he called to the person who was banging at the front door.

Oh.

Tommy Boyles.

He sighed. He went around the counter, unlocked the door, opened it a crack, and raised his eyebrows.

Tommy surveyed him. “I’m looking for Dahlia.”

“Well, I mean, you live with her, and she’s going home after she finishes up in the back, so I’m sure you’ll see her—”

“You’re not going to let me in?” Tommy’s voice had an edge to it.

Oh, shit, he knows.Niles liked that, actually. He backed away from the door, gesturing with both hands. “Please, come in.”

Tommy gave him a look.

Niles grinned at him.

Tommy stepped inside.

Niles shut the door behind him and locked it.

Tommy stood there.

“She’s in the back,” said Niles, his voice lilting.

Tommy licked his lips. He turned to meet Niles’s gaze. “She’s, uh, she’s got a big heart.”

Niles raised his eyebrows. “What?Thisis what you say to me?”

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