Ask Me Why(52)

The answer is no. But that white tee barely conceals the ridges lining his torso. And his ass in those faded jeans is getting me steamy in all the right places. With his son around, getting turned on is highly inappropriate. Would it be so wrong if I took a quick squeeze? Maybe lower his— He clears his throat. I jerk my gaze off his zipper.

“You can stay.”

“That’s what I thought.”

My stomach dips when he winks at me. Who knew there was swoon hiding behind all those hurtful insults and callous sneers. I think he’s warming up to me. That could be very dangerous. I shove the crazy far out of my thoughts.

“I’m starting to feel guilty. You two always come here. The balance seems off.”

Brance shrugs. “Because you’re always working.”

“That’s hilarious. Take a peek in the mirror, Mister Partner.”

“I make time for what’s important.”

I slap a palm to my cocked hip. “I’m a small business owner. This place doesn’t run without me.”

His eyes flare, eating up my defensive stance. “Retract the claws, Brae. We know, hence our regular presence.”

I avert my gaze, appropriately reprimanded. “Okay. Sorry.”

“For the record, I give Ollie the choice of going anywhere. Thicket is all he wants.”

I glance at him from the corner of my eye. “Does that bother you?”

Brance is smiling. “Not as much lately. I’m reaping some benefits of his infatuation.”

My cheeks flame hotter than a brick oven. “Took you long enough.”

“Same to you, taffy girl.”

I wrinkle my nose. “None of that.”

“Sugar?” His grin is teasing.

I offer one in return. “Stick with Brae.”

“That suits you, among other things.”

“Such as?”

“Definitely not suitable for prying ears.” He lifts his chin to where Ollie sits, twisting toward us with a beaming smile. We exchange a finger wave. Little eavesdropper.

My sigh is a hot fudge sundae with sprinkles on top—paradise for the taste buds. “He’s such a sweetheart. I’m very glad he found my store.”

“The feeling is definitely mutual.”

“You’re my best customers.”

Brance grunts and crosses his arms. “But that’s superficial. It’d be nice to see you outside of these walls more often.”

A swarm of bees high on honey buzz in my belly. “Would you like that?”

Why am I digging?

He squints at me. “Ollie sure would.”

I accept that with a nod. “I’m actually training someone to fill in part time. Kallie is a college student off for the summer. She’s looking for a few hours here and there. I can give that easy enough.”

“It’ll free you up for other things.” His emphasis on the last two words makes me shiver.

“That’s the plan.”

His stare is soul-deep. “What’re your hobbies?”

“You’re looking at it.” I spread my arms out and spin in a slow circle.

He stays silent, those blue depths far too imploring.

I knot my fingers together. “What?”

“I want to know about you. There’s more to your life than this shop.”

With his curiosity, cleaning is officially forgotten. I’m off track and might as well share one of my passions. The old whiskey barrel sits to my right. I scoop up a handful of colorful pieces, letting them filter out between my fingers. “These are Captured Fragments. I make them.”

Brance moves closer, peering inside. “What are they?”

I repeat my funneling process. “Recycled parts of random objects. Most of the items are broken beyond repair and people donate them to me. It feels really good finding purpose for something thrown away. I smash these seemingly insignificant items apart, smooth out the rough edges, and create a unique shape.”

Holding up an orange cube, I let the light reflect off the shiny sides. “Alone, they’re just a single sliver of glass.” I reach in and snag a few more. “But together, they make something special.”

I tilt my palm and catch the sun. A rainbow appears on the ground by our feet.

He smirks. “Again with the rainbows.”

“I like natural beauty.” I lift a shoulder.

“Me too.” He rips his gaze off my face, reaching for a fragment. The piece rolls around in his hand. “They’re like worry stones.”

“Many use them for that.”

“That’d be good for my office. There’s a lot of shit going down on a constant basis.”

I put several dozen pieces in a bag and pass them over. “On the house.”

He crinkles the paper sack. “You’re too sweet.”

Embers glow in my lower belly. “That’s what you said the other night.”

Brance scratches his chin. “Nothing but the truth. Tell me more about you.”

I glance at the ceiling, searching for anything of interest. “I dunno. Trying to think of stuff is making my life seem really bland.”

“Where are you from?”

“Iowa.”

His brow furrows. “I haven’t spent much time there.”