That Secret Crush (Getting Lucky #3)(30)

I like Melanie. She’s a sweet girl, but after spending ten minutes sniffing candles while she interjected with facts about every last ingredient used in the wax, I thanked her for the coffee beans but told her I needed some privacy to sniff on my own. I couldn’t care less what’s in the candle—I just need it to smell good.

Visiting Sticks and Wicks is the last thing I want to fucking do right now, but I know Eve really likes candles, and since the harbor carries a pretty dangerous old-man-ballsac smell sometimes, I thought it might be beneficial to get some scented candles for the houseboat in case the smell of the harbor bothers her. Not that she’s said anything, but I like to be preventative.

And you know, candles set the mood and shit.

Setting the mood means sex.

Sex with Eve is out of this goddamn world. And I would obviously like more of it, so this means candles.

I’m buying all the fucking candles.

If I happen to find a candle I like, maybe I’ll get one for her too. That’s what boyfriends do: buy crap for their girl. Plus, it’s buy one, get one half-off in the store, and Daddy loves a good BOGO. I spotted the sale ad in the newspaper when I was scanning it for anything about Eve and me. Luckily, my family members have kept their mouths shut. Surprising, since Brig has sent me texts every day “gushing” about my newfound relationship.

Pretty sure he’s trying to live vicariously through me.

Weirdly, I let him and give him details that his “nipples get hard” over. He and his goddamn hard nipples. Such a fucking weirdo.

I pick up a green candle, liking the color, and glance at the label—Flannel.

Huh, interesting.

How does one capture the smell of flannel? In my head, it’s going to smell like a man who’s been chopping up wood for two hours.

Tentatively, I pop open the lid and take a deep breath.

Big mistake.

“Oh fuck.” I cringe and put the candle right back where I found it while blowing air out of my nose, trying to expel the scent. Clutching the coffee beans, I bury my nose inside the mason jar and reconsider the whole candle thing. Flannel just about singed every hair in my nose.

“Reid?”

Crap. Spotted.

Turning on my heel, coffee beans still clutched to my chest, I find Ren, Griff’s girlfriend, with a small basket in hand and a confused look on her face. I don’t blame her; I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m caught in the newspaper tomorrow with the headline Abnormal Spotting: Loser Knightly Sniffing Candles with the subtitle Has He Finally Hit Rock Bottom?

I give her a small wave and then stick my hand in my pocket, all of a sudden feeling awkward as fuck. “Uh, hey, Ren. What’s up?”

“Hey, I’ve never seen you in here before.” With a conspiratorial look, she says, “Trying to avoid your dad again?”

It’s a known fact Ren is obsessed with Sticks and Wicks. Griffin has bought her so many things from this quaint little shop, which is nestled in the heart of Main Street. It’s full of candles, incense, and all good-smelling things, so you’re likely to find any number of Knightly women perusing the stock on any given day, which I should have taken into consideration when coming in here.

“I’m always avoiding my dad, but this time I thought, you know, I might check out some candles.”

She glances over my shoulder. “You tried Flannel?”

“Pretty sure they captured twelve pairs of sweaty balls and added a hint of mint to it.”

“That’s quite accurate.” She walks up to me and bops me on the nose. “You’ve got a good sniffer. You’re in the wrong area, though. These are on sale for a reason. No one ever buys them.” She takes my arm. “Come on, I’ll show you the good stuff.”

“But is the good stuff included in the sale from the newspaper?”

She winks at me. “The ad didn’t specify, so when you go to check out, tell Melanie, and she’ll have to honor it.”

“You know, Ren, I don’t think we hang out enough.”

She throws her head back as she laughs and guides me to the left of the store, where all the candles are color coordinated. I didn’t come over here because it looked too fancy. “I’m pretty sure Griffin would hate it if we hung out more.”

“Why? Because I know all of his secrets? He should be scared, and since he’s not here right now, what do you want to know?”

Ren glances around before leaning in. “How about a candle for some intel? Is that a deal?”

“You don’t even have to get me the candle. I’ll tell you whatever you want.”

“But then I would feel guilty. Come on, tit for tat.”

I raise an eyebrow. “If Griffin knew you were offering me your tit for my tat, I’m pretty sure he’d lose his mind.”

She shoves my shoulder. “You know what I mean.” She holds out her hand. “Is it a deal?”

I’m not a stupid man, and I want a nice candle, so I shake her hand, ready to throw my brother under the bus. Hey, I’ll do whatever it takes to impress a girl. I mean, Eve did say that I was adulting, and she noticed my matching dish towels, so imagine her reaction if she sees a candle burning the next time she comes over.

“Deal.” I rub my hands together. “Candle first, though. I want something that smells fresh and clean, maybe a little manly . . . nothing flowery.”