4. Kylee
four
Kylee
I'm in the middle of going through donated books when the bell jingles.
Expecting the same leather-clad member to stroll through, I'm surprised to see someone else stroll through.
So the time's come, huh? A second biker at the same time of Casper's interruption all that time ago. Or should I say fifth if I want to include the others who have only crossed my path momentarily?
Is my little bookstore about to become a biker hub?
"Welcome in!" Keeping my voice cheery, I'm thankful he doesn't head straight for me. Instead, the guy coasts over towards the new release section after giving me a brief nod. While he's digging into his pocket to pull out his phone, I'm noticing the large patch on his back.
Casper's patch has a skull that looks overrun with vines. This guy has one with a dog doused in flames. Guess they're part of different clubs. I don't really understand how it works.
He stands there for a long time, long enough for me to log in a handful of books. Once he's scratching at the back of his neck, in what I can assume is impatience, by the sound of a sigh leaving his lips.
"Can I help you find something in particular?" Calling out to him, he immediately looks over at me. I don't have to ask twice before he's trudging his way over.
"Looking for a book that I can't seem to find anywhere.
" Turning his phone my way, he reveals a cover I'm familiar with.
One that I know is flying off the shelves because of its recent film adaptation.
"Figured I could kill two birds with one stone by swinging by here. Tell me you've got a copy to spare."
His demand might hold a little more weight behind it if he didn't sound desperate.
"You know... I just might." Knowing I just got a shipment this morning that I haven't cracked open yet, the chance of actually getting any copies is slim. "The last I heard, they were struggling to keep up with the demands. Try not to get your hopes up too much."
Knowing that babbling about printing and all that can bore anyone who isn't like me, I excuse myself to slip in the back long enough to dig through the boxes.
The second box, surprisingly, contains three copies.
Already knowing I'm going to have to get the other two on the shelf quickly, I carry them all out to find him still waiting.
A look of relief washes over his face when I show them off.
"It must be my lucky day." Keeping the conversation light, he pockets his device and patiently waits for me to figure out my inventory on my phone.
As I type, I see him shift to the side, maneuvering a wheel filled with various bookmark designs.
"Is this a gift?" I ask, curious. He grunts, and I take that as a yes. "There are some romance-themed ones on the bottom row. They might like one. There are a few darker-themed ones, too, mixed in."
"Is that what that is?" He cocks a brow and lets out a small scoff. "She's always reading this kind of stuff."
He plucks out a few, and I have to fight not to grin.
Not just at his lack of knowledge, but also at my success in selling accessories.
Returning in front of me, he sorts through them.
Once more, I bite back a laugh. There's something about large tattooed fingers shifting through bookmarks that look like small crimson-colored ribbons in his grip that is humorous.
Up close like this, I can see he has a similar patch to the one I've seen enough times to memorize. Another Vice President.
"Orthrus? Like the two-headed dog?" My curiosity wins over as the question leaves my lips.
His eyes flick up before a smirk curls on his lips. "Got the pronunciation right and the knowledge behind the name. Color me impressed."
"Perks of being a fan of mythology." Trying not to let my pride show by brushing off his compliment, I work on punching in his total. "If you'd like, I can notify you when the next book of the series comes in. The whole series is hard to come by."
He shakes his head at that. "I've got a feeling I'll be back soon enough to see it when the time comes."
He pulls his jacket apart to pull out his wallet when I give him his total, and I can't help but notice a holster strapped to his hip.
I don't think Casper carries a gun on him, now that I think about it.
Pulling out cash, he doesn't bother taking back the change.
Insisting on keeping it for myself, he grabs the book and the bookmarks before I can even bag them for him.
"Thank you, Miss..."
"Kylee." Giving him my name, he gives me another nod before taking his leave.
A thought hits me as soon as I'm alone. If he wanted to knock two tasks off at once, if he got his book, what was the other task?
Considering the question, I write it off as having nothing to do with me, so I move on with my task and simply hope that I've snagged a new customer, maybe two if he brings his friend along.
***I'm in the middle of a phone call when the bell above the door jingles.
Looking up from my notepad, I don't see a customer—I just see my own wide-eyed reflection staring back at me in the glossy black visor of a motorcycle helmet. For a few seconds, I hardly register what the woman on the other side is asking for.
"Miss? Are you still there?"
I clear my throat, tearing my eyes away with a blink. "Yes! Sorry about that. I have a few copies coming in soon. I can set one aside and give you a call when I have my hands on it."
I scribble down her name and digits, though my hand is a little less steady than it was a minute ago. I can feel his eyes on me through that dark visor, tracking every movement.
Thankfully, he busies himself by stepping deeper into the shop, heading for the very same table we sat at the day before.
The second I murmur a goodbye and tuck my phone back into my pocket, the silence in the shop feels twice as loud.
"So you do get business after all." Casper sets a bag down at one of the tables before pulling off his helmet. His light hair is slightly mussed, but those eyes of his immediately drift in my direction. "I was wondering how a place like this stays open."
"One sale at a time." Moving toward him, I peer around him to see what he's brought with him. "I'm pretty sure I remember telling you not to bring anything here."
The text came last night, just as I was preparing to call it a day. Casper wanted to bring me lunch. Despite it being a simple request, I wasn't going to let this man buy me anything.
Yet, here he is, bringing something that smells savory and mouthwatering.
"I don't know what you're talking about. This is all for me, sweetheart. I've got a big appetite." He gives me a cheeky smile as he plucks out his case. "Maybe I'll be nice enough to share if you see how delicious they look."
Rolling my eyes, I leave his side to grab my usual sign for grabbing lunch. Figuring it can't hurt to cave to this man, I hang the sign against the glass and flip the open sign to close.
Shamelessly, he brightens at my decision to momentarily close the shop. For the next twenty minutes, we won't have to worry about anyone interrupting us.
Without being told to, I shut off the front lights, leaving the back ones on to give me some visibility.
"You don't—"
"This being my shop means I can dictate if I want to eat in the dark." Strolling back over to him, I watch in satisfaction as he tucks his case back inside his jacket. "I'm sure you get tired of wearing those all of the time."
There's something about the way that Casper's smile softens that does funny things to my chest. It's the way he leans toward me that makes the butterflies fluttering in my stomach melt into something hotter.
"So you plan on taking my lunch then?" He cocks a pale eyebrow as his eyes burn bright while uncovered. Without the glasses, I don't miss the way his gaze flickers down. "What shade is that? Almost matches your hair."
Realizing he's commenting on my lipstick makes heat collect on my cheeks. Even more when I realize his eyes are lingering on my mouth as if he has all the time in the world to wait for an answer to his question.
Flushing, I encourage him to unpack his goodies before I change my mind. All that does is make him grin in amusement.
I've never met a man who enjoyed flustering me as much as he does.
"I didn't know what you'd want, so here's to hoping I picked right." Despite appearing cheeky, there's a slight hesitance to his movement as he pulls out two wrapped subs. "Got the identical thing, so don't worry about fighting over one or another."
Scoffing and rolling my eyes, my reaction must be the exact thing he was looking for.
"I made them myself, so if you have any complaints, take it up with the chef." Sliding one my way, I don't miss the way his cheek dimples. "Don't worry, the kitchen they were prepared in would definitely pass a health inspection."
Instead of worrying about something trivial like that, I'm more confused about why this guy would go so far out of his way to make me lunch. Maybe he feels inclined to do something to pay me back for what I did for him, but really, it wasn't that much.
Feeling like it would be useless to insist that he doesn't have to go out of his way, I accept his offering with the slight rumble of my stomach.
The sandwich is a safe, basic build. The only thing I've got an issue with is the bright, vibrant slices of tomato ruining all of the other delicious ingredients. In the midst of making them disappear from my sandwich, I hear Casper snort from across the table.
The distance between us isn't that great, and I feel his leg brush mine as he digs into his own. Without disassembling anything, he sinks his teeth into his lunch and lets out a low groan that I feel all the way down in my toes.