Page 43 of Under Daddy's Spell

“What’s taking you so long?” he asked, as he emerged from the books.

Tessa frowned. All this time, wasn’t she waiting for him? But arguing with anyone from next door never got her anywhere.

“I need to put this box in my office, then I’m ready.”

He took it from her, which she welcomed since it was heavy.

“Thank you, Seth. For everything. And I mean that; you’re a lifesaver.”

When she opened her office door for him, he shrugged on his way through, as if saving her shop from closing and going under was nothing,

With the box secured, she locked up on the way out the door, with Seth grabbing her two bags of trash.

Jordan might be arrogant, overprotective, and completely high-handed, but this walk-out service was one thing she’d grown to appreciate. ?

ChapterFourteen

EVERY FRIDAY MORNING, Tessa made the trip to Costco to do a restock of supplies. Her haul filled every available space in her car, the trunk, the rear seat, and next to her up front. When she returned and all the spaces in front of her bookstore, including the “bookstore customers only” spots, were filled with SUVs, pickup trucks, and a red Hummer that had angle-parked taking up two. She’d had enough.

“Jordan,” she muttered.

Yes, she had stereotyped his clients, but never in four years had she seen any of her customers arrive in a vehicle the size of a tank. Not the moms needing a break from the kids, the college students looking for cliff notes, the blue-haired spinster ladies bound for the romance sections, or the bespectacled bookworms who frequented her shop.

This would be the first time she’d seen him since the incident in the aisles and she’d canceled their night out. But her anger would help her get through the awkwardness.

When she stormed in, flushed, frizzing, and sweating, as usual, Seth smiled at her from behind the desk.

“Where is he?”

“There are a lot of hes here, darlin’. Can you be more specific?”

“Jordan, your boss. You know him. Big blond, thick skull.”

His lips twitched at her snarky response, but he held onto his laughter. “He isn’t due home until later today. We probably won’t see him until Monday.”

“He’s never here,” she said, throwing up her hands.

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