“You don't have to figure anything out because I'm helping you,” Shane said. “That's just how it's gonna be.”
She scowled, not liking this new bossy side of Shane. Still, she did need help, and no one would understand better how to make both the business run smoothly and get the street fair going than him.
“I'll pay you,” she said.
He snorted. “You don't have to pay me. I'm helping out a friend.”
She didn't know why she said that. Pride, maybe. She barely had enough money to pay the part-time cashier she had. That was why her plan to add a café in the space next door just had to work. She needed to make Book It more of a destination to draw people not just from Clover Park, but all the neighboring towns. When she'd brought up the idea of a café to Shane, he'd agreed to be her food and drink supplier. He'd wanted to expand his offerings, but didn't have the room in his ice-cream shop, so the café was a good idea for both of them.
“Okay,” she finally said. “Thank you.”
Shane stopped at a light and gave her a smile. Two adorable dimples appeared. “You're welcome.”
Rachel faced front. Why was she noticing his dimples all of a sudden? He always had a dimpled smile. She was getting punchy. It was late, and she was exhausted from a long and painful day.
A short while later, they pulled into the small parking lot behind her store. Her apartment was on the second floor. Shane fetched her crutches from the back seat and walked around to open her car door. She tucked the crutches under her arms and made her way awkwardly to the rear entrance.
“Thanks again,” she told him. “I got it from here.”
He exhaled sharply. “Gimme the keys. I'm not leaving you.”
She pulled her keys from her purse. “I'm fine. You've done your part. Thank you. Good night.”
He snatched the keys from her, unlocked the door, and slipped a crutch out from under her arm, replacing it with his body. His voice rumbled low in her ear. “Relax.”
She suppressed a shiver. That would've happened with anyone speaking so close to her. Sound waves and physics and neurological stuff. She glanced at him, so close. His eyes were blue with flecks of gold. She'd never noticed the gold flecks before. Her eyes widened as he leaned the other crutch against the building and scooped her up in his arms.
“Careful of my ankle!” she screeched.
He grunted, pushed open the door, and carried her upstairs to her apartment. If her pulse was racing, it was only because of the risk of falling down an entire flight of stairs. He carried her in and set her down gently on the bed.
“Really, Shane, there are easier ways to get me into bed.”
His voice went low and husky. “When I want to get you into bed, you'll know it.”
Her face flushed. She opened her mouth for a snappy retort, but nothing came out. Was he coming on to her or insulting her?
He chuckled. “I'll bring your crutches.”
He left, and she propped up the pillows behind her so she could sit up in bed. He returned and placed the crutches next to her bed.
“I'll take the sofa,” Shane said, “so I can carry you downstairs again in the morning.”
“That's ridiculous. I've got crutches. I can do it.”
“If you don't want me to stay, then call me when you wake up and I'll come over. I'm not letting you tumble down those stairs.”
“You're not sleeping on my sofa.”
“Then call me.”
“Sure,” she said just to get rid of him.
His eyes narrowed. “I'll be on the sofa.”
“No!” She thought fast. How to get him out of her hair? “Sleep in my bed instead,” she offered, lifting the covers.
His eyes lit up. “I thought you'd never ask.”
And to her absolute shock, he scooted in next to her.
Want to read the rest? Bad Taste in Men is out now!
The Clover Park Series
THE OPPOSITE OF WILD (Book 1)
DAISY DOES IT ALL (Book 2)
BAD TASTE IN MEN (Book 3)
KISSING SANTA (A Novella)—late-2014
Acknowledgments
To my three favorite guys who are super helpful and supportive. Love you!
Thank you to my lovely editors Tessa Shapcott and Pauline Nolet, my wonderful critique partners Mimi and Shannon, and my sharp beta readers Kim, Jenn, and Maura. Big hugs and virtual chocolate for all!
A special thank you also to the very famous and fabulous Michael Ian Black who helps me keep this TV stuff real, any mistakes are my own.
And thank you, dear reader, for taking this journey with me!
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks are not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Daisy Does It All: © 2014 by Kylie Gilmore
Excerpt from Bad Taste in Men: © 2014 by Kylie Gilmore
Digital Edition 1.1
Cover design by The Killion Group
Published by: Extra Fancy Books
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the writer, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
ISBN-10: 0991266528
ISBN-13: 978-0-9912665-2-4
About the Author
Kylie Gilmore was lucky enough to discover romance novels at a young age as they were strewn all over the house (thanks, Mom!). She writes quirky, tender romance with a solid dose of humor. Her Clover Park series features the O’Hare brothers, three guys you’d definitely have a drink with and maybe a little more.
Kylie lives in New York with her family, two cats, and a nutso dog. When she’s not writing, wrangling kids, or dutifully taking notes at writing conferences, you can find her flexing her muscles all the way to the high cabinet for her secret chocolate stash.
Click here to sign up for Kylie’s Newsletter and be the first to hear about new releases, exclusive excerpts, and subscriber-only giveaways. You can also sign up on my website kyliegilmore.com or use this QR code:
Kylie can be found on Twitter @KylieGilmoreToo and on Facebook.com/KylieGilmoreToo. Contact Kylie at [email protected].
Daisy Does It All (Clover Park, Book 2) Contemporary Romance (The Clover Park Series) Page 24
