Blow(43)

She set the tray behind the counter. “I need to sweep up the coffee beans that spilled on the floor before Peyton sees them and blows a gasket.”

I laughed at that and took a welcome sip of my latte.

The store was quiet for the first time all day and I took a moment to think about everything that was happening in my life. There were so many strange things going on that the simple fact that a guy I’d just met might be involved with the Mob didn’t really faze me like it should have.

The old butler bell Peyton had affixed above the door to alert us when someone was coming in chimed, and I glanced up to see a man in a blue quilted jacket walking in.

My car. I had completely forgotten about it. Thankfully, Michael must have at least gone to the garage before he had to leave to sign off on the additional repairs.

“I have an auto delivery for Elizabeth O’Shea,” he said.

“That’s me.”

In this moment, it felt more wrong than ever pretending to be my sister. What if that was her in my yard last night? What kind of trouble was she in? Where was she? Did she need me?

“It’s parked up the street,” he said.

I took the keys he was handing me. “Thank you.”

A crowd of women walked in as he left, and the rest of the afternoon sped by with so many customers. Peyton and I never had a chance to talk privately again.

At six thirty, Rachel, Peyton, and I finally walked outside, all complaining that our feet were killing us. Rachel’s boyfriend was waiting for her in his car and as soon as she spotted him, she fled, yelling, “See you Tuesday,” as she got in.

Peyton and I both stood there smiling at her.

I turned to Peyton. “Wow. What a great day.”

“High five.” She raised her hand.

I slapped it. “You were amazing today.”

“No, you were.”

Feeling smug, I lifted my chin. “I do know my shit.”

She threw her arms around me and gave me a tight squeeze. “You are great at this. The soft opening was amazing. Now you have two days off—take the time and relax. You deserve it after the hours we’ve put in getting ready for the opening. I don’t expect to see you here until we reopen on Tuesday. There is nothing for you to do until then. You need a break. You’ve been going nonstop for weeks. I’ll come in tomorrow and restock, and then stop in on Monday to check the deliveries.”

“You sure?” I asked, feeling guilty leaving her to do all the cleanup.

She nodded. “I’m sure. You got any plans?”

“No,” I said emphatically.

“Not going to see Mr. Big Dick?”

I gave her a little shove. “Stop calling him that.”

“Well, are you?”

“Honestly, I have no idea.”

“Hey, he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy to be involved with the Mafia, so I wouldn’t worry about that.”

I smiled at her and answered, “I’m not.” I wasn’t sure if that was true, but wasn’t sure it wasn’t, either.

Peyton had no idea what was going on with my sister. In fact, I’d told her she was in rehab for drug use, like I’d told everyone else. I felt bad lying but knew it was for the best. The fewer people involved, the better.

“Good. If he asks you out, go.” Apparently, Peyton wasn’t finished with the conversation about Logan.

I rolled my eyes.

“I mean it. Just ignore what I said earlier. That was stupid of me to bring it up.”

“Already forgotten.” I winked.

She gave me another squeeze. “Have a good night.”

“You too.”

Her eyes twinkled mischievously. “I plan to.” She made a rather vulgar movement with her hips.

“Not that good,” I added with another wink.

“It’s our first date, and it took him a month to ask me out, so I won’t get my hopes up.”

I had to laugh. “You’ve gone on more first dates in the short time I’ve known you than I’ve gone on in my entire life.”

Not that dating had ever been on my mind.

She responded with a hearty dose of laughter. “What can I say, I love men—just not the same one for long.”

As we started to walk in different directions, I half turned. “Oh, and you’ll call me if any good deliveries arrive?”

There was a wicked gleam in her eyes. “Yes, I’ll call you if the sex toys are delivered. Are you antsy to check them out?” She winked.

“Peyton,” I admonished. “No.”

She shook her head. “Whatever you say. Oh, and Mr. Big Dick would be a great place to start.”

No words. I had no words.

“I’m talking about the dating scene.” She tossed the words over her shoulder with a giggle. “Not the sex toys. But both would work.”

The thought hadn’t escaped me.

But it wasn’t going on a date with him that had been on my mind.





LOGAN


It wasn’t the same table.

The floor had been ripped up and replaced.

Yet the kitchen still held the ghosts of that night.

My father set his fork and knife down. “Logan. What’s on your mind, son?”

I’d been silent about Elle and O’Shea since I’d arrived over an hour ago. I’d even agreed to eat dinner with him, which I never did.