That Second Chance (Getting Lucky #1)(21)

“That was sweet. Thank you.” I hand him my card as well as Brig’s 20 percent off discount, enjoying that I get to see him in his element. “How often are you in here working?”

He spins the iPad around for me to sign. “Almost every day. I’m usually here with my sister, Jen, and when I’m called out by the station, my parents come in to help, or one of my brothers covers for me.”

“That’s sweet. So you kind of get the best of both worlds.”

“Exactly. Receipt?”

I shake my head. “I’m good.” I take the box and bags. “Thank you. I really appreciate it.”

“No problem. I’ll see you around, Ren.” He points to the door to the right of me. “If you go out there and turn left, you’ll see a little path; it’ll take you back out to Main Street.” With one last parting smile, he walks back to the bustle of the store, leaving me with a skyrocketed pulse and a thirst for more.





CHAPTER SIX





GRIFFIN


“Hell, if she was my algebra teacher, I would have done a lot better than a C minus.” Reid is washing down the pastry cases, unable to shut up about his run-in with Ren. “I would have asked for all the extra credit, if you know what I mean.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me like a douche.

“Are you still talking about the new girl?” Jen asks, making her way from the back, where she was packaging up all the pastries and fudge.

“Yup. She’s hot. Definitely a teacher I would have paid attention to. Those pubescent boys aren’t going to know what hit them this fall.”

I’m counting out our register drawer, trying to stay focused on the numbers whipping through my head, but it’s difficult with Reid’s constant small talk. I jot down another tally mark on the paper in front of me and set aside a stack of bills. I’ve already accounted for all credit card transactions, which we only accept in the back; the front counter is cash only. We make sure that’s known with a bunch of signs around the shop and an ATM we conveniently have next to our front door.

“Hello, are you listening?” Reid asks, sounding annoyed.

“No. I’m counting.”

“Well, I’m talking about you, so you might want to lend me your ear for a second.”

Huffing, I set the cash on the counter, knowing my very persistent brother won’t be quiet until I give him my full attention. “What’s up, Reid?”

Satisfied, he smiles. “You should ask her out.”

“Ask who out?”

“Ren.”

Yeah, that’s not going to happen. “No.”

I go back to counting, but Reid starts snapping his fingers at me. “Hey, I wasn’t finished.” I look back up at him, not even slightly interested in this conversation. “I saw the way she was looking at you today. I think she likes you.”

“You’re confused. She was probably just being nice, since I’m the guy who pulled her out of the window of her car. And even if she does like me, which I highly doubt, there’s no interest on my end. So that’s the end of that.”

“Bullshit,” Reid and Jen both say at the same time.

Christ. My two most nagging siblings are ganging up on me. Just what I need when I’m trying to get home and relax.

“Can we not make this into a dissection of my personal life, please? I’m not in the mood, and I want to get this done so I can go home.”

“Griff, she’s pretty, she’s sweet, and she’s smart. She’s new to town and, I’m sure, could use a friend,” Jen says just as the door opens, its bell chiming through the space. Brig pops in, grease all over his shirt and a smirk on his face.

Uh-oh. There’s only one reason why he’d be smirking at me that way.

“What are we talking about?” He rubs his hands together and takes a seat on a barstool near the window. “If it’s about the hot new teacher in town, I want in on this conversation.”

“We’re trying to convince Griff to ask her out.”

Brig slow claps his appreciation. “Novel idea. I think they’re a perfect match. It’s like Cupid struck both of them in the ass down in that ditch.”

“I’m not asking her out,” I huff, giving up on the register and leaning against the wall behind me, arms crossed. There’s no way I’ll be able to concentrate on counting while these three are yapping in my ear.

“Why the hell not? She’s perfect for you,” Brig says, a little insulted at my rejection. “Before you even say no, you should at least get to know her a little. I told her today she could borrow your truck while her car is in the shop.”

I count to five before answering, tamping down my temper. “Why the hell would you do that?” Okay, maybe I didn’t tamp it down enough.

“Uh, because she lives three houses down from you?” Brig rolls his eyes as if I’m the stupid one in this conversation. “She needs some help, so be a knight in shining armor, dude. Help out the damsel in distress and then make out with her on the beach. Maybe cop a feel; get some for once.”

“I’m not doing that,” I answer, going back to the money, letting them know this conversation is over.

“And why not?” Jen asks.