by April Wilson
Shane reaches across the table and holds my hand, giving it a light squeeze. “You love being in the city, don’t you?”
I nod, smiling.
“Would you rather we live in the penthouse, instead of the estate?”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Can we?”
“Sure. I used to spend most of my time at the penthouse. I mostly stayed at the house only on the weekends. I thought you’d be more comfortable there while you were recuperating. But if you’d rather we live downtown, we can relocate to the penthouse.”
“Oh, my gosh, yes.”
Shane pulls out his phone and sends a quick message. “I’ll have your clothes and personal possessions moved to the apartment today.”
“You don’t mind?”
“No, of course not,” he says, putting his phone away. “I want you to be happy, Beth.”
When we reach the entrance to Clancy’s, I pause outside the glass doors and peer inside.
Shane squeezes my hand. “What is it?”
I might as well tell him – he’ll find out soon enough. “Vanessa hates me.”
He chuckles. “Sweetheart, it’s your signature on her paycheck. She doesn’t hate you.”
“Yes she does. Just wait. You’ll see.”
Shane opens the door and follows me inside, his hand a reassuring warmth on my lower back. The cool air indoors feels good after our walk outside in the August heat.
The first thing I notice is that there’s an armed security guard standing inside the front entrance. I hadn’t noticed a guard at the entrance before. I glance up at Shane, who greets the guard with a nod. They know each other. This must be part of Shane’s security upgrades.
There’s a good crowd in the store this afternoon. Shoppers are bustling around the displays of new merchandise at the front of the store. I glance over at the customer service counter where employees are busy ringing up purchases at the check-out stations.
There are at least a dozen people in the queue that feeds into the check-out lines. The employees behind the sales counter look slightly harried as they ring up customers as quickly as they can to keep the line moving. I’m wondering if we shouldn’t expand the checkout capacity. If it’s busy on a normal weekday, I can’t imagine what it will be like during the weekends and holidays. It’ll be an absolute madhouse then, and I really don’t like the idea of people having to stand in line for a long time.
I turn to Shane. “The last time I was here, Vanessa pointed out that I have no retail experience. She’s right, of course. I have no business experience whatsoever. But I love this place, and I want to be involved. That’s why I want to go back to school.”
He nods. “That sounds like a good plan. But going back to school for an MBA is a big commitment. Are you sure you want to take that on right now? You don’t have to, you know. The store is yours, period.”
I watch an employee push a cart of hardback books up to the New Releases table and begin making room for a stack of books. He sets the first few books on the table, and I notice it’s a new release by JD Robb – a new Eve and Roarke novel. I love those books, and they’re right here, in my store. I feel like a kid in a candy store. I want to be part of this place more than I’ve ever wanted anything. I just never dreamed that something like this could be possible for me.
I walk over to the cart and pull off one of the new Robb books and crack open the front cover. I fan through the crisp pages, loving the pristine sight and smell of a new book. I close the book and tuck it securely in the crook of my arm. This book is coming home with me.
I look up at Shane with a huge smile on my face. “I’m sure. I’m absolutely sure.”
“Then do it. You know I’ll always support you. You never need to ask.”
Chapter 13
Shane shadows me as I walk through Clancy’s, just meandering through the front tables stacked with books and other merchandise. We breeze through the newspapers and magazines and calendars, and around to the other side of the store where the fiction books are shelved.
“Miss Jamison, I didn’t expect to see you back here so soon.”
I jump, startled to find Vanessa standing right behind us, a scowl on her perfectly made-up face. Good grief, the woman has built-in radar.
I can’t help noticing that her gaze is focused primarily on Shane, and she gives him an appreciative scan from head to toe. Is it my imagination, or does she look flushed all of a sudden? She smiles at him a little longer than I think is necessary.
When her gaze finally turns to me, her expression sours, as if she’s looking at something distasteful. Her coolly assessing gaze dwells momentarily on my attire and her lips flatten in disapproval.
Of course Vanessa looks like something right off the cover of Vogue. She’s stunning in a form-fitting sheath dress with a sleeveless black bodice that hugs every inch of her perfect body attached to a black-and-white houndstooth skirt. I have no doubt that the diamond studs in her lobes are the real thing, as is the dainty gold chain around her neck. On her feet are slim, black stilettos – and I’ll bet they’re one of those brands that cost an arm and a leg. I might not like the woman’s demeanor, but I certainly can’t fault her sense of style.
I feel painfully underdressed. I just don’t spend a lot of money on clothes and accessories. I’m perfectly happy scouring the department store clearance racks or shopping in nice second-hand shops. Vanessa makes me feel positively gauche. I sigh and put on a smile. “Hi, Vanessa.”
After giving me a fleeting half-smile, she directs her attention back to Shane and extends her delicate hand to him. “Shane, it’s lovely to see you again.”
He nods, giving her a brief handshake. “Vanessa.”
Vanessa’s gaze cools when it returns to me. “What can I do for you, Miss Jamison?”
I really wish she’d stop calling me that. It sounds condescending the way she says it. “Call me Beth, please.” I take a deep breath, steeling myself. “Vanessa, I would like to take an active role here at Clancy’s. I know I don’t have any retail experience – ”
“Miss Jamison – ”
“Beth, please.”
“Beth.” She releases a long, suffering sigh. “I – ”
“I’ll start at the bottom and work my way up. I could start with learning how to run a cash register.”
Vanessa arches a slender eyebrow. “You mean a point-of-sale terminal?”
“Yes.” Bitch. Why does she feel the need to embarrass me?
Vanessa crosses her arms, displaying beautifully manicured nails. “Do you really think that’s a good idea?”
“Yes. I do.”
“Well, I’ll keep you in mind the next time we have an opening for an entry-level position. Right now, I’m afraid we don’t have any.”
“It would just be part time. I’m sure you can fit me in.”
“Beth, have you even filled out an application?”
“Well, no. I didn’t think I – ”
“And did you bring a resume with you?”
My face heats up. I haven’t updated my resume since I started working at the medical school library. “No.”
“Well, then. I guess that settles that.”
I glance at Shane, who’s standing at my side uncharacteristically silent. He has an impassive expression on his face, as if he’s not paying any attention to our exchange. I expected him to jump into this uncomfortable conversation, but he hasn’t said a word. In fact, his expression gives absolutely nothing away. I realize he isn’t going to be any help, which is so not like him.
Vanessa sighs. “I run a business here, Beth. A successful business relies on the execution of standard policies and procedures. You can’t just waltz in off the street and start demanding things.”
Technically, since I own the place, I’m pretty sure I can waltz in and start demanding things. And honestly, Shane’s silence confounds me. Why doesn’t he say something?
“Fine,” I say, after deciding I’ll have to take the bull by th
e horns. “I’ll come back tomorrow with a copy of my resume, and I’ll fill out an application. Anything else?”
“Well, then there’s the interview – but I guess we’ll dispense with that, since we already know you have no experience whatsoever. But there is the background check and the drug testing. Those are mandatory – it’s company policy.”
“Drug testing? Are you serious?”
“Of course I’m serious, Beth. I don’t hire drug users.”
“I don’t use drugs! I’ve never – okay, fine. I’ll pee in a cup.” Now it’s my turn to raise an eyebrow, daring her to throw up more road blocks. “Is there anything else?”
Vanessa’s lips flatten. “I guess that’s it. If you pass those hurdles, I guess I can put you on the schedule as a part-time entry-level employee. You can start with the POS terminals.”
I force a smile. “Thank you. I’ll be back tomorrow to fill out an application and give you my resume.”
“You can do all of that online, so there’s no need for you to come in. If you’d spent any time at all on our website, you’d know that. When can you work? How about mornings? Ten to two?”
I feel my face burning as I realize I’ve never once looked at the company website. Oh, great. One more thing for Vanessa to rub my nose in. I mentally shake myself and try to recall what she just said. “Um, ten to two? Sure. That sounds fine, thanks.”
As she walks away, I wonder what I did to make her dislike me so much. I’ve tried to be nice to her. And I’ve never done anything to make her feel that her position in the store is in jeopardy due to the change in ownership. I haven’t come into the store demanding changes in personnel or policies.
After Vanessa’s out of earshot, I turn to Shane. “I told you she hates me.”
Shane bites back a grin. “She doesn’t hate you, Beth. She resents you because you own the store that she considers hers, and she feels intimidated by you because she knows you could boot her out the door at any moment, if you were so inclined. I suspect Clancy gave Vanessa tremendous leeway in the running of the business, and she doesn’t like that she has someone to answer to.”
“Why didn’t you say something?”
“Because this is your fight, sweetheart. I can’t fight it for you. You may be the owner, but the employees don’t know you yet. You have to earn their respect, from Vanessa all the way down through the chain of command, from the assistant managers to the staff to the janitors. I have all the confidence in the world that you’ll succeed in doing just that.” He pauses, fighting a grin. “Or, you could simply fire her and bring in your own general manager. I admit the idea has some appeal.”
I frown. “I may not like the woman personally, but she’s good at her job. The store’s well run and very profitable. I can’t just fire her, no matter how much I might want to. Still, she drives me crazy. She’s so patronizing!”
Shane puts his hand on my back and propels me in the direction of the romance books. “Stop thinking about Vanessa and go look at books. Relax and enjoy yourself. I’ll stand guard against The Dragon Lady.”
Shane leaves me to myself in the romance section so I can spend some quality time browsing. He grabs a copy of The Chicago Tribune and claims an armchair in a nearby seating area. I go about my business browsing the new romance releases and am thrilled to discover a new paranormal romance by Kresley Cole. I add it to my stash.
The next time I glance Shane’s way, he’s on his feet, deep in conversation with two men. One of them is the man I met here yesterday – Mack Donovan, the new head of security. The other guy I’ve never seen before. He’s a striking redhead and seriously hot. His hair is short on the sides and long on the top, pulled back and gathered into a man-bun. He also has that ex-military look that I’ve learned to recognize.
I assume the new guy is one of Shane’s security employees too. He’s fit and muscular, although a little on the lean side. His black t-shirt molds itself nicely to his torso and arms, but he isn’t bulky like Mack, who’s built like a tank – a solid wall of muscle. I’d put him in his early 30s. He catches me looking at him and smiles, giving me a friendly wave. He’s definitely one of Shane’s guys. He has to be. I can’t help smiling back as I return the gesture.
The redhead says something to Shane and Mack, and then he heads my way.
“Hey, boss,” he says, extending his fist.
Holding my two books in the crook of my arm, I stick out my own fist and bump him back, grinning. I like this guy already. He certainly doesn’t take himself too seriously.
I can feel the energy radiating off of him. With small black plugs in each earlobe and small gold hoops through the cartilage in his ears, he strikes me as a young, cocky pirate. Definitely a hipster. The black tattoos covering his arms reinforce the image.
I smile. “Hello.”
“Sam Harrison, ma’am,” he says. “I’m your security detail here at Clancy’s. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Ma’am? Yes, he’s definitely ex-military. “Just Beth, please. Which branch?”
He chuckles. “US Army, ma’am – I mean Beth. Former Ranger, like Mack. I broke both legs in a parachute drop gone bad, so now I’m a civilian. When you’re here on the premises, I’m your shadow, unless Lia’s here. Shane says you’re going to be working here part-time.”
Shane doesn’t waste any time. “That’s the plan.”
Sam nods. “Don’t worry about The Dragon Lady. She’s a real bitch, but I’ve got your back.”
“Thanks, Sam.”
He nods. “All right then. Carry on, boss. I’ll be close by if you need me.”
Sam disappears from sight as I move to the next aisle, where the erotica books are shelved. While I can no longer see him, I don’t doubt for a second that he’s somewhere close by. Ever since I started dating Shane, I’ve experienced a definite loss of privacy in my life. It seems everywhere I go, I’m under scrutiny of one sort or another. Is it too much for me to want some privacy while I’m browsing erotica? It’s embarrassing enough without having an audience.
The erotica section is mostly BDSM these days, ever since Fifty Shades exploded onto the market. I’m not into people tying each other up and hurting each other, but I do love alpha males. I guess that’s a good thing since I seem to be surrounded by them now. I skim the shelves looking for new books, passing over women stripped and gagged and tied up, looking for something more my style. Surely there are some good old-fashioned, over-the-knee spanking stories to be found.
“Beth? Holy shit, is that you? Beth Jamison?”
I flinch at that sound of that familiar voice, that smooth-as-melted-dark-chocolate voice. My heart rate kicks painfully into overdrive, sending my pulse through the roof. Immediately my chest tightens, and the bottom of my stomach drops making me instantly queasy. He’s the absolute last person on Earth I want to talk to.
I keep my eyes glued to the shelf of books in front of me, hoping desperately he’ll take the hint and walk away. I can’t even bear to look at him, let alone talk to him.
“Hey, Beth. It’s me. How are you?”
I feel a warm a hand on my bare arm, and I glance down, recognizing the many rings on those long, tapering fingers – the fingers of a pianist. A jazz pianist, to be precise.
“Beth? Aren’t you even going to look at me?”
Turning my head, I look up into a pair of large, puppy dog eyes the color of fine chocolate. At one time, I loved looking into those eyes. Was it just four years ago? It seems like a lifetime.
“Hi, Kevin.”
Chapter 14
Kevin Murphy is taller than I remember – of course, he was still young then, so he probably kept growing. Other than that, he looks pretty much the same. His light brown hair is still long and streaked with blond highlights, tucked up inside a slouchy gray knit hat. He’s wearing faded, ripped blue jeans and a form-fitting t-shirt featuring his jazz band’s logo. I wonder if the band is still together, playing nights and weekends at restaurants and coffee shops acr
oss Chicagoland. Like a dutiful girlfriend, I spent many nights sitting in those venues, watching him play, fetching and carrying for the band members like a good little fan girl. God, I was such an idiot. I was so grateful for his attention, I’d have done anything for him.
I stopped following them the night he walked out on me.
Automatically, I look for Shane, but the chair he’d been sitting in is empty, and there’s no sign of Mack or Sam either. I glance around hoping to spot Shane, but he’s nowhere to be seen. It shocks me to realize how much I’ve grown to depend on him coming to my rescue.
Kevin’s long fingers slip down my bare arm and clasp hand, and he gives my fingers a light squeeze. The contact makes me shudder, and I abruptly pull my hand away.
“Hey, what’s wrong, babe?” he says, dipping his face toward mine. He smiles at me with perfect, unnaturally-white teeth surrounded by full, sensuous lips and a goatee. “Aren’t you going to say something? Jeez, it’s been, what? Three years? Four? I can’t believe it.”
“Four.” That’s all I can manage. He’s acting as if we’re long lost friends, but in the back of my mind, all I can remember is Kevin yelling at me.
You’re such a fucking headcase!
As if I didn’t already know.
I remember with shame how I’d cowered in my college dorm room bed, naked and shaking as he stormed out, slamming the door behind him. That night was utterly mortifying. A disaster of epic proportions.
I feel a wave of hot nausea sweep through me and my insides are churning. I turn to leave.
“Beth, wait!” Kevin grabs my wrist and pulls me up short. “Don’t run off. I wanna talk.”
Talk? Is he crazy? That’s the absolute last thing I want to do. My breathing falters as the vise around my chest tightens, squeezing my lungs and stealing my breath. I try to free my arm, but he tightens his hold. Then I remember what Lia showed me the day before. I tuck my elbow in to my side and twist my wrist, and just like that his hand pops off my wrist. It worked!