“Someone’s asking for you,” she says and in the same breath she turns her back on me and walks back to the front before I have a chance to ask if she means a customer or a friend. If it’s a customer, it will be my first one. What if I’m terrible at convincing people to buy exquisite things?
The light on the ceiling above me flickers for a moment or two returning me to my senses. I work here now and I can deal with anything that’s waiting for me out there.
I step out of the small supply room and take the few steps to the counter where I’m supposed to greet the customers. I slow down just a couple steps away from him. I recognize his long, unruly hair and his old, shabby navy blue jacket.
“Nate?” I say in disbelief. “Everything okay at the shelter?”
In a split second, I manage to imagine all sorts of catastrophes. I end up stuck on the image of Annie, the little honey brown setter that Nate and I adopted when she was brought in at the animal shelter missing an eye, an ear and a big chunk of fur a couple months back. Next, I remember that I have to work at the rescue shelter tonight. I didn’t mess up, did I? I didn’t mix up the dates or anything and ended up missing a shift?
“Is it Annie?” I say, fearful that the little eight-month old cutie pie I’ve fallen in love with might be in trouble.
“No,” Nate says, staring at Ashley who stares back at Nate disapprovingly. He does look out of place in the elegant shop with his unwashed long hair and scruffy facial hair, his plain old clothes that are a size too big, his puffy eyes and the black ink designs across his knuckles, but that doesn’t give Ashley the right to be rude.
“How did you know where to find me?” I say in an attempt to get Nate’s attention back from Ashley.
“You mentioned this place the other day.”
He’s right. We were washing Annie and talking about random things including the fact that I’d be starting to work at the Essence of Life shop.
“You said you’d start today,” Nate goes on. He stops to look at me and then offers a smile. His perfect teeth are an unexpected contrast to his otherwise grungy look. “You sounded excited which made me curious.”
Ashley grumbles before walking off to tend to the window shelves.
“So, did you come to wish me luck?” I ask Nate as I begin to organize some blank index cards on the counter in a deliberate fashion.
“I need a favor,” he says, taking a deep breath. “Can I crash on your couch for a few days?”
Okay, I wasn’t ready for that. Nate and I get along fine at the animal shelter where we are both volunteers. We have a few laughs. He’s a man of few words and is uniquely dedicated to what he does, but this? We’ve never met outside of the shelter before. “Oh, am I your first choice?” I ask slowly.
He shrugs. “There aren’t many people still willing to help, Grace. It’s as simple as that.”
The sincerity of his gaze is unsettling because I know exactly what he means. It will be hard to turn him down but not too smart to say yes.
The door opens and Taylor walks into the store. She grins from ear to ear when she sees me and then winks. She probably thinks I’m with a customer. I’m sure Ashley will correct that misunderstanding promptly.
Taylor’s steps are light and effortless, almost as if she’s riding on wheels, with that unique air of satisfaction and confidence of hers. She’s all legs and long, luscious dark blonde hair, and she dresses in long skirts and flowery tops with low cuts. Taylor is so naturally pretty she causes an auto smile reflex in anyone who lays eyes on her.
I turn to Nate to study the impression Taylor has made on him but he has managed to ignore her existence completely. Unless he’s doing a darn good job of hiding his curiosity, he couldn’t care less about Taylor’s charms.
“I’ll understand if you say no,” he says rubbing a hand against his cheek, almost compulsively.
“I’ll have to think about it,” I say. “We can talk it over at the shelter tonight.”
“Denise didn’t think you would be there tonight,” he says.
“I changed my mind,” I say. “I’m just not ready to give up my time with those little darlings yet.”
“Good,” he says. “You would be missed greatly.”
“Really?” I say, suddenly noticing a shy quality about him.
“The animals,” he says and clears his throat. “They would be lost without you. I’m sure they’ll be happy to see you.”
His eyes drop and look away. I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure what is making it so hard for him to talk to me.
“I’m late,” he says. “I have a thing. I’m expected. See you down there.”
As he walks out the door, I can’t help but feel that he must have heard the word no often as an answer to this request. Which makes me think there might be a reason people in his life aren’t willing to help him anymore.
“I’d do him,” Taylor says as she brushes by me.
“Excuse me?” I honestly have no idea what she means by that.
“Your friend,” she says sticking her tongue out. “He’s kinda hot and awkwardly delicious.”
“Nate?”
“Is that the one who just left?”
I nod.
“Then, yes,” she says. “He’s muy caliente.”
Leave it up to Taylor to find hotness in anything that walks in a worn out jacket, an old pair of boots and a three day stubble on their cheeks.
“What? You don’t think so?” she says, sensing my reluctance.
“I’m with Grace on this one,” Ashley says. “The guy is creepy.”
Now this is taking it a bit too far. Nate is not exactly a movie star but he’s kind and laidback and there’s nothing creepy about him. “He’s actually a really cool guy,” I say.
“Oh, c’mon Grace! He’s more than cool. He’s tall, dark and mysterious and has smoldering blue eyes and a cute butt.”
“I can’t listen to this,” I say rolling my eyes.
“You wouldn’t mind introducing us then?” Taylor can be relentless. I’ll have to end the conversation myself.
“He’s all yours,” I say, opening my arms wide. “If you can get him to even notice you.”
“You didn’t really just say that,” Taylor protests.
“He’s gay, Taylor.”
“Oh well, his loss,” she says. Her disappointed expression tells me my little trick is working.
I pat the top of her head. “You idiot, I don’t know what he’s into. I barely know him outside of the rescue shelter.”
A flash of recognition flashes onto her face. “That’s the guy you like working with at the animal shelter. The stoic one.”
I nod. “He’s quiet and loves animals. That’s all I know.”
“My bad,” Taylor says with an apologetic smirk on her face. “I should leave your shelter boys alone.”
Although I enjoy watching her attempt at humility, there’s work to be done. On one level, I’m happy Taylor’s arrival cut my conversation with Nate short but on another I wish I had been more patient with him.
I myself have run out of people I could turn to when in need. Taylor has always been the bright exception. “I’m going to like working here,” I say. “And I have a few questions for you about the bottles and vials back there.”
“I thought I explained everything?” Ashley cuts in, obviously alarmed by my request. Maybe she thinks I’m here to replace her?
“If you knew Grace like I do,” Taylor says with that benevolent smile of hers, “you’d know she’s all about details and getting to the bottom of things.”
Taylor leads me to the supply room and immediately begins waving her toned arms around in her blue and pink flowery shirt with her long, perfectly polished nails pointing at this oil and that perfume, laying out a long line of beautiful, intriguing names for me: angelica and cedarwood, marjoram and thyme, roman chamomile, sandalwood and peppermint.
“What was your question?” she says tilting her head.
“Hmm?
”
“You said you had questions about my babies here.”
“Oh, that. No, not really. I just wanted to stick it to Ashley.”
Taylor’s face gets serious. “Honey, please don’t tell me you plan to get into catfights with Ash. This is a tranquility shop. We all need to be civil.”
I keep quiet, whispering as many essential oil names as I can remember in my mind. It seems it’s not just the oils that are magic. The names themselves can actually soothe one down.
“I know Ash can be a bit overbearing and suspicious but she’s a good kid. And she needs the money,” Taylor goes on.
“Don’t we all?” I blurt out.
Taylor’s disappointed expression grounds me instantly.
“Taylor,” I say. “I’m not going to cause any problems. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work here and pay my rent. I’ll be a doll to Ashley. Promise.”
“I know you will,” Taylor says giving me a hug. “Now, what’s up with Jack? Has he repaid that loan yet?”
My good mood darkens instantly.
Continue reading Nathan and Grace’s story now.
###
About the Author
Alison Foster loves reading a good love story almost as much as she loves writing one. She spends her time dreaming up strong heroes and even stronger heroines and she enjoys finding unexpected strengths within her characters when they are in the most unexpected places.
She believes that passion makes the world go round and that a sexy grin is as sweet as candy. She loves interacting with readers, so feel free to drop her a line.
Website: http://authoralisonfoster.wix.com/alisonfoster
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAlisonFoster
Twitter: https://twitter.com/alisonsreads
Books in the Everlasting Series
NATE (Prequel)
BEAUTIFUL RUIN (Book 1)
MAGNIFICENT RUIN (Book 2)
EVERLASTING RUIN (Book 3)
UK Links
NATE
BEAUTIFUL RUIN
MAGNIFICENT RUIN
EVERLASTING RUIN
All books are interconnected, standalone novels, featuring many of the same characters.
More links here
Magnificent Ruin (Everlasting Series Book 2) Page 22
