If lying here and hoping my flaming arousal cools off a little counts as rest, then yes, I will be resting. I’ll be resting for at least as long as it takes him to shower.

  He nods and rakes a hand through his hair, leaving it stuck up in the wildest directions, and somehow that’s both sexy and cute at the same time.

  I consider biting down on the blanket to save my lip from some of the pain, but he closes the bedroom door behind him and I’m alone.

  I hear the shower water turn on, and I take one deep breath and savor it. I’m in his bed. My skin still remembers the heat of his hands. This was as close to Franco as I could ever hope to be, and in a few minutes, it will all be over.

  I’ll be back to my real life, whatever that turns out to be. I’d been so hopeful and open to whatever Star Falls had to offer when I decided to come up here and check out my aunt’s café.

  But after a night in his arms, the idea of making a life for myself, from scratch, all on my own, no longer feels like such an exciting adventure.

  Excitement is what I feel with him, around him. Too bad the only adventure is finding out how many ways a gorgeous, unattainable man can break my heart.

  Within the hour, even though I showered last night, I’ve showered again and joined Franco down in the kitchen. He hands me a mug of hot coffee, and I don’t know, but I feel like he’s looking at me differently today.

  He’s got a list written in front of him, and he looks almost excited to share it with me. I notice he’s set a spoon and a sugar bowl on the kitchen table.

  “I figured I’d let you put in the sugar for yourself,” he says, and then he sits down beside me and starts talking.

  I’m looking between him and the spoon and wondering how the heck the man knows I take only sugar in my coffee. But then I realize I had coffee at his parents’. Did he actually pay attention to how I preferred it?

  I stir in the sugar and only catch up to Franco’s voice when he stretches a hand across the table and rests it on my arm.

  “You okay?” He’s studying my face. “Did I upset you? Too much?”

  Wait, what?

  “I was a little lost in my thoughts,” I admit. “Sorry. Start over?”

  He looks concerned but not angry, which is an upgrade from last week, at least. He points to the handwritten list he’s put on the table. “So, I called out of work today. I don’t know how you’re feeling about going back to the store, but I’ve made a list of things you probably need to do. We can do them together, or…” He pauses. “Were you feeling up to opening the store today? I sort of assumed you’d want to close the store and…”

  “You called out of work?” The sweet coffee is strong, and the way it hits my tongue makes me smile. Or at least, I tell myself it’s the coffee.

  Franco nods. “I’m fired up as hell. You need a cell phone, and you probably need to check in with your mother,” he says. “If something like that happened and I didn’t tell my mom for a couple days, she’d…” One side of his mouth curls up. “Well, you know my mother. You know how that would go over.”

  I nod, but the topic of my mother makes me go silent.

  “Hey,” he says, a question in his voice. “I’m sorry. Did I touch on something there?”

  I shrug, though I don’t look up at him. But then I do. Darn it. I’m tired of hiding. Of apologizing for who I am and what my family is—or, more accurately, is not.

  “My mother isn’t someone I can run to when things happen,” I explain. “I wish she were. My whole life, I’ve held my troubles close to my chest and dealt with them myself. Or maybe not at all. My mom always had enough to deal with just having my dad around. It’s a lot easier not to involve her.” I give him a weak smile. “I’m only sad about it at the moment because I love what you have with your family. It’s the dream, you know?”

  Franco doesn’t seem to miss a beat. “I know,” he says somberly. He takes a sip of his coffee, but his eyes never leave my face. “I know how fortunate I am to have the family I do. I complain about them, but…” He’s serious for a moment. “My family is a huge presence in my life. No matter how much I give them a hard time, I live my life with my parents on either shoulder. Most of the time, it’s a good thing.”

  I’m not sure what he means by that, and I want to ask, but he’s moved on. I don’t want to redirect him. I want to know what he wants to share—and more—so I just listen.

  “Ma will be more than happy to panic, freak out, and butt into everything you’ve got going on. And you’ve got a whole circle of women desperate to mother you until you feel smothered,” he says. “And I’m the oldest of four, so it’s just my nature. I’m the bossy older brother.”

  He jumps up from the table and starts assembling some breakfast. He doesn’t ask me what I want; he just cuts up some fruit and starts scrambling eggs.

  I’m thrilled because I’m starving, and while his back is to me, I can sort out how I’m feeling.

  I realize he’s handling me, I guess, like he’s my bossy older brother. Except when I think of his hand under my sleep tee, hot against my skin. No. There was nothing brotherly about how he held me last night.

  I look over the sheet of paper Franco left on the table. “So, um, what’s on the to-do list?” I ask.

  “Well, I think, first,” he says, “we need to get your phone replaced. And then I was thinking…”

  Of course, I hear nothing after that because I have no way of paying for a new phone. The one I had was five years old, so not new by any means but still decent as far as smartphone technology goes.

  I wonder if Aunt Ann had insurance on the store. I’m sure she did, but the deductible on policies like that is normally very high. And even if I did make a claim, all that will take more time than I have. How long can I reasonably go without a cell phone?

  The coffee starts to sour in my stomach, and I push back from the table. “Franco,” I start. “I…”

  He sets down the fork he’s using to whisk the eggs and looks at me. “What?”

  I shake my head. “The phone thing is going to be a problem. I…”

  This is all just really, really hard to share. I have such shame around the whole situation.

  I need capital. A rainy day fund. And with this unexpected setback? I mean, a serious crime would set anyone back. But I didn’t even lose the money in the robbery. Just my phone.

  At my age, I should have something in savings and far more than a crap car with no gas in it. And yet, here I am.

  “Maybe this is a sign from the universe that I should go home,” I say quietly. “That I shouldn’t be here. That this is not something I can do.”

  “Wait, what?” He looks confused. He sets the bowl of eggs on the counter and joins me at the table. “I feel like you’re not saying what you’re thinking.”

  I’m standing beside my chair, and he comes closer but doesn’t touch me.

  Just cocks his chin and narrows his eyes. “Talk to me, Chloe. What’s really going on in here?” He brings his hand to the side of my face. He taps my temple gently with two fingers to emphasize in here and then sort of caresses the side of my cheek before dropping his hand to his side. “Sorry,” he mutters. “I can’t seem to keep my hands off you.” He’s shaking his head as if he’s scolding himself.

  “You have an all-access pass,” I assure him, flushing hard and laughing. “I’m the one who invited myself into your bed.”

  He smiles, and his whole face relaxes. He lowers his chin and stares at me, and in that moment, I feel like I’m seeing a whole new side of Franco. Not a more honest side. Because I think he is always exactly who he is.

  The grumpy hot guy thing is not a façade or an act, which somehow makes it so much hotter. He’s just always himself. At ease in his body and his life and who he is.

  It’s reassuring to be around, not only because I like who he is, but because I feel somehow like I have permission to just be me. I want to be more like he is in that way.

  Honest.

  No apologies.

  “It’s not comfortable to talk about,” I explain, trying on this more honest version of myself. “I know I need to replace my phone, but I walked to dinner at your parents’ the other night because I’d used most of the cash I had to buy that stupid television. I know it seems like a weird splurge, but I want to start running events at the store. I thought I could… I don’t know.”

  I sigh.

  I lift the list and look over the things he’s so thoughtfully penned. “A cell phone, a security system…” I swallow and meet Franco’s eyes.

  I can do this. I can be brave and honest.

  “It’s all stuff I need, you’re right. But I literally do not have the cash.”

  Franco is quiet for only a split second. “Okay,” he says, nodding. “I get it. Did your aunt leave you anything else? Life insurance?”

  I shake my head. “Just a failing bookstore and whatever is in her apartment. I have the place with no lease until the end of the year, but I’m paying the rent and everything.”

  He seems completely undeterred, nodding again. “All right. So, you need money to replace your phone. Money to do the stuff on this list.” He thinks for a second. “Do you want my help, Chloe? If that’s not what you want, you need to tell me now to stand down. I’m a lot like my mom in that sense, but at least I know enough to ask before I barge into someone’s business.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  He motions for me to sit. His eyes sparkle and he’s got a sexy grin on his face, and since my knees go a little weak at the sight, I have no problem dropping into a chair. “How do you feel about paperwork?” he asks.

  9

  Franco

  “Chloe, this is Jack Miles.”

  It’s around ten on Tuesday by the time we get through breakfast. I take Chloe over to Easy Start just about the time I know Jack will be taking a break.

  He shakes Chloe’s hand and lifts his chin at me. “I thought you weren’t coming in today, man.” He’s looking Chloe over and I know his mind is spinning, but he’s not saying anything.

  Something seems to have shifted in Chloe this morning. She’s still wearing her boots and pants that must be two sizes too big, but after spending the night tucked against her ass, I’m actually happy she’s hiding what she’s got from the world. Under those bulky sweaters, her body is more than what meets the eye. Just like the woman herself.

  When I woke this morning with my hand under her shirt, it was all I could do to keep my fingers from wandering to her breasts, ass, thighs…

  “Hi, Jack. Nice to meet you.” She shakes his hand, and I can tell Jack’s confused, but my buddy’s nothing if not cool.

  They make small talk about Chloe’s aunt Ann and the café, until finally, we get down to business.

  “Jack,” I say, “since your mom’s on temporary hiatus, how would you feel about hiring Chloe for a couple days to get that paperwork sorted?”

  Chloe and I talked about the idea in the truck, so I know she’s down for it. I don’t know if Jack’s budget at the shop will allow him to pay Chloe for some very part-time work, but I have a list of ideas a mile long. This is just our first stop.

  “Listen,” I add, “she needs some capital for some improvements to Ann’s place. Won’t be a long-term thing, but if you and your pops can find some leeway in the payroll, you can help out Chloe, and I’ll bet she can find that purchase order you’ve been wanting me to deal with.”

  Jack’s thinking it over, but he looks dubious. “I’ve got to call my dad, Frankie,” he says, looking sheepish. “Hiring someone’s not that easy. There’s taxes and paperwork to consider…”

  I hold up a hand to stop him. “Look, I get it. If it’s too complicated, no worries. Throwing it out there, that’s all.”

  “Dad’s still fishing,” Jack reminds me. “But I’ll give him a quick call. If it’s a no, you’ll know sooner rather than later.”

  Chloe’s face crumples a little, but I give her a reassuring nod. “Come with me,” I say, leading her to Carol’s desk. “Let’s give Jack some privacy while he calls Earl.”

  She grabs my sleeve as we’re walking away. “Franco.” Her voice is tiny again, the fading flower starting to droop. “I don’t want to cause any trouble…”

  “What trouble? This ain’t trouble,” I assure her. “It’s a phone call. Earl will say yes or no, and then we’ll go from there.” I turn to her and put my hands on her shoulders.

  I meant what I said this morning in my kitchen. I don’t know why, but I can’t stop myself from touching her.

  She doesn’t seem to mind, so I squeeze gently and lower my voice. “You asking for what you need doesn’t inconvenience anybody,” I say. “I mean that. Ask. Speak up. Say what you need. If the answer’s no…” I shrug one shoulder. “Then fuck it. Shake it off and keep going. Around me, don’t ever apologize for asking for what you want.”

  She is nibbling on her lower lip and watching my face like I have all the answers there. I don’t, but what I do know is that the world helps those who help themselves.

  If there’s anything I can do for her right now, it’s to make her realize that.

  “Come on.” I motion toward Carol’s desk.

  I show her the stack of paperwork. Shit that hasn’t been paid or organized in weeks since Carol stopped coming into the shop every day.

  “You’d think that one purchase order wouldn’t be that hard to find,” I tell her. “But I looked and couldn’t find the damn thing.”

  In the time it takes Jack to call Earl, Chloe digs into the mountain of papers on the desk. She’s organized them by date, which…well fuck, I should have thought to do that.

  When Jack comes back to the desk, Chloe’s got things looking neat enough for someone to sit down and work.

  Jack whistles. “Shit, Chloe. You’re hired. When can you start?”

  Her mouth falls open, and she looks from him to me.

  “I’ll butt out,” I say, nodding. “Let you two talk details.”

  I wander around the shop, checking what Jack’s working on while they chatter, but I keep one eye on Chloe.

  She may have been shy and quiet around my family, but she’s looking Jack in the eye and laughing, seemingly totally at ease with him. Seeing her connecting with him like that sets a little ember on fire in my gut. It’s threatening to turn into a raging jealous inferno when she catches my eye over Jack’s shoulder.

  She gives me a saucy smirk and draws her lower lip into her mouth.

  Something tight and hot uncoils in my chest at that look.

  The pouty lips, the light in her eyes. She even tosses a lock of hair over her shoulder, not that I think she does it on purpose. Her body seems lighter, freer, and she’s moving around more. It’s fucking hot. And now that I know what she’s got under those sweaters, I want more of it. More of her.

  “Yo.” Jack turns suddenly and calls for me, so I join them back at the desk.

  Chloe’s cheeks are flushed, and she looks happy.

  Jack looks relieved.

  “Looks like Chloe’s going to fit right in,” he says. He extends his hand to shake hers again, and I almost interrupt to tell him he already did that and there’s no reason to touch her again, but I stop myself and just watch.

  She is practically bouncing as I clap my buddy on the shoulder and let him know I’ll see him tomorrow.

  Chloe follows me back to the truck, but before I can turn over the engine, she reaches across the seats and squeezes my arm. “Thank you,” she says, her voice stronger than I think I’ve heard it. “With what they are paying me, I’ll be able to afford even a top-of-the-line, brand-new, all the bells and whistles phone in about a month.” She looks down at her hand on my sleeve, and if she’s thinking about moving it, she decides against it. She leaves it there and squeezes. “I may shut down the store for a few weeks while I get things sorted out. We’ll see. But Jack said I can make my own hours. I’ll find a way to balance it out.”

  “You’ll be able to afford a kick-ass phone in a month?” I repeat. “That’s great. That’s how long I was planning to extend an interest-free loan for.”

  She cocks her chin and looks at me. “I’m sorry? What?”

  I grin and turn on the engine, then head out toward the mall. “I’m going to buy you a phone today, but it’s a loan. Thirty days interest-free. You can start paying me back once you’ve got some cash flowing.”

  She starts to complain, but I stop her with a hand. “Chloe, what’s the big deal? Are you going to pick the most expensive phone in the place?”

  She shakes her head.

  “Fine. I’m offering to shell out the cash to get you set up today. It’s a safety issue. I won’t be able to sleep at night if I think you’re going around town without even a way to call the cops. While we’re out today, I have a whole list of things to do, remember? So, buckle up and start thinking about what you want in a new phone.”

  She falls silent again, and I’m sure she’s gnawing right through her lower lip.

  “Franco,” she finally says, breaking through the quiet. “Why? Why are you helping me? I don’t think I can do anything to pay you back for all this… I mean, of course I’ll pay you back for the phone. Like, no question about it. But giving me a place to stay last night and making me breakfast and now this… It’s a lot.”

  “When I was in my twenties, I was sloppy,” I say. “I had a big ego. Big balls. Big head. The whole nine.” I laugh and shake my head. “I was a shithead from the word go.” I flick a glance at her.

  She fully turns in the passenger seat, listening intently as I talk.

  “Someone helped me, and now it’s my turn to help you. That’s what friends do,” I explain, but I’m lying to her and myself.

  Sure, we’re friends…but part of me wants to be so much more. And if I’m being honest, that scares the living shit out me.

  10

  Chloe