Chapter 6
HANNA
Is this just another dull day at work? Or is it extra dull because I’d rather be with Knox?
I run the vacuum around so everything is spotless when Blaire comes back from her extended coffee break. I’ve noticed that lately she's been rolling in later and later and taking long breaks whenever she feels like it. Fine, it's her store. She’s allowed, I guess.
I was not a bit surprised when this morning's shipment took a whole ten minutes to organize and put away. There was no reason for me to come in early.
Once the floors are spotless, I grab the duster and pace around the aisles.
I might be imagining it, but everyone who nods hello through the window seems extra friendly today.
Is it because they've seen me here for the past few weeks?
Or because they have heard that Knox and I are…
well, the word dating seems a bit much. We've only had two dinners together.
My lips still burn as I remember his kisses. Especially the ones that were less…polite. Rougher. Hungrier. As if Knox were physically incapable of holding himself back. His lust for me drives me wild. I had no idea that was something I craved.
I head back to the counter to check my phone. Sure enough, Knox has sent a few messages.
Knox: Hey, darlin’. Hope that work is going well. Just thought you should know I've been thinking about you. A lot.
Knox: I still want to cook dinner with you at my place some evening soon, so let me know when you're free.
Knox: I'm sure you've realized by now that my schedule is wide open. Especially for you.
A quick glance out the window confirms Aunt Blaire is on her way back.
Work is fine. Blaire’s in a mood. I would love to have that dinner as soon as I can escape. Keep you posted.
I hide my phone, not wanting her to see me texting anyone.
She's so strange about Knox. Is she jealous? That would explain a lot, but still. There's no reason for her to be snippy just because I'm young with my entire life ahead of me.
I think she’s been bored with this shop for as long as I've known her. I don't even know if she still loves my Uncle Davis. They get along okay, I guess, but the vibe I get is more roommates than people who are in love.
I remember Mom telling me years ago that Blaire and Davis opened this shop together, then once everything was up and running, he left to go work in some office. Was that for the money, or so he wasn't spending the entire day with his wife?
Or maybe…this is more likely… Could she be jealous that I'm dating a Wolfe? Even though the hulking mountain man probably isn't her type, being connected with the Wolfe family would be a shortcut to her being respected around here.
Blaire comes storming into the shop, glaring. "The fucking nerve!"
"What…" I begin, then see two men on their way into the store. I lean around Blaire, and smile at them. "Good afternoon. How may I—"
Blaire spins toward them and snaps, "We're closed for five minutes. Come back later."
They stop in their tracks, blink sharply, then leave.
"Aunt Blaire," I whisper. "What is so wrong that you're turning away customers?" I think that's the closest I've ever come to talking back to her.
"Don’t tell me how to run my own store." Her hand flinches as if she’s a hair’s breadth from slapping me. "I just heard about your disgusting display at Sandcastles last night," she hisses. "How dare you."
I don't know what details she may have heard, so I keep my mouth shut.
"You were kissing that man in public." Her tone suggests I'd committed murder. “What do you think that does to our family’s reputation?"
Nothing, I think to myself, but keep my face completely neutral. No matter how angry she is, I would not trade last night's experience for anything.
"Anything to say, young lady?"
I shake my head. Anything I say will just be twisted. I wish Mom had warned me about this side of her sister. Do I really deserve to deal with this level of crazy?
“I can't trust you to run around unsupervised anymore.
" Blaire sets her purse on the counter, retrieves her phone, then flops down in her chair. "Davis and I are going away this weekend, and I will not have you prancing around town with that man. I don’t care if he’s a Wolfe.
He's a deranged backwoods creep. Probably lives in a shack.
You are not to associate with him, ever again.
" It's extra difficult to hold a bland expression due to her use of the word prancing.
I want to tell her that she has no say in who I associate with. Then I'll be getting another job and escaping this mess as soon as I can. That I don't owe her anything. But I can't find the words.
"Davis and I are leaving in an hour." Her eyebrows raise, challenging me. "We won't be back until noon on Monday. Until then, you're grounded. You can be here at the store, or at home. That's it."
Is she serious? I can barely hold back my smirk.
"Don't you dare laugh at me, Hanna! I have security cameras all over the place. I’ll be checking them while we're away. I will know if you go anywhere else."
This from the woman whose phone password is 123456. There’s no security system at the store. If there were cameras, I would have seen them.
She's staring at me as if she expects some sort of acknowledgement that she has power over me.
I can't tell her off. Her anger makes me too uncomfortable.
It's like a sudden rash all over my body, eating at my skin until I need to run away and hide. It’s childish, but I've always been this way when faced with confrontation.
At the same time, I have to say something. "Plus the coffee shop," I murmur quietly. “Monday mornings I always get a hazelnut latte."
Her lips twist as she glares. "Fine. Keep everything under control here until I get back." She sends a couple of texts, then grabs her bag and leaves without another word.
I wait until I see her car drive away. Then I lean out the door and wave to the two men who were trying to come in earlier. “She's gone now. I'm so sorry about that."
They breathe deep sighs of relief before coming in and purchasing a pair of work boots and dress shoes each. At least sales will be up for the day.
There’s no question I’m going to ignore her stupid grounding. But if she finds out, is Aunt Blaire going to kick me out?
Then again… Do I even care anymore?