A snorted laugh sounded from behind me that I knew was Taylor.
Bridgette’s eyes narrowed over my shoulder. “Taylor,” she clipped.
“Nice to see you, Bridgette.”
Bridgette huffed and turned her gaze back to me. “So, about that tour…”
I fought the grimace that wanted to surface. “You know, I’m pretty busy these days.”
Bridgette stepped in close enough that our bodies were almost touching. “I’m sure I could make it worth your while to take a little break from whatever you’re working on.”
This time, both Taylor and Jensen laughed. At least Jensen attempted to disguise hers with a cough. Bridgette straightened and glared at the two women.
I took that as my cue to make a hasty escape. I pulled out my wallet and handed Taylor my credit card. “Here, get us a bunch of stuff, I’m going to find a restroom.”
Bridgette’s jaw fell open as if no one had ever rejected hertouraround town. I might have been rude, but I just didn’t have patience for people like her at the moment. I side-stepped her shocked form and headed towards a hall that led away from the shop’s main room.
I didn’t need a bathroom, but I sure as hell needed out of there. I glanced back to see Bridgette and Taylor in a heated conversation. At first, I felt guilty about leaving Taylor to deal with the girl, but then I saw the smirk on her face. She’d be fine.
I rounded the corner and slammed into someone.Shit.My hands instinctively went out to steady the person I had just body checked. My fingers encircled slim arms. “I’m so sorry—”
My words cut off because the woman shrank away from me with such ferocity, I felt like a monster. I gentled my tone. “I’m so sorry, ma’am. I wasn’t looking where I was going. Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
Her hand shook as she brushed dark brown hair away from her face. “I-I’m fine.”
I froze. She was gorgeous, there was no denying it, but what had me hypnotized were her eyes. They were a color I’d never seen before, something that hovered on the border between gray and purple. I shook myself from the stupor. “I’m glad you’re okay.” I slowly extended a hand. “I’m Liam.”
She studied my hand for a brief moment before accepting the shake. “Tessa.” She held my palm for only the moment it took for her to say her two-syllable name.
I felt the loss of heat as soon as she moved away. “Can I get you a tea or something to apologize?”
Tessa’s throat bobbed as she swallowed. “No, thank you. I really need to get back to work.”
“Okay—” Again, my words were cut off, this time by her retreating form. I shook my head, trying to clear it from the odd encounter.
I peeked back around the corner to see if my admirer from earlier was still there and breathed a sigh of relief.
“The wicked witch is gone, you can come out now.” Taylor’s voice sounded from a table in the corner.
I made my way towards her. “She was, uh, interesting?” It came out as a question.
Taylor let out a laugh. “She’s the worst. But, hopefully, now that she knows you’re friends with me, she’ll leave you alone.” I arched a questioning eyebrow. “Long story, but I’m not her favorite person. Hopefully, you’ll be less desirable to her simply by association.”
I broke off a corner of some kind of baked good. “See? Your friendship does have perks.” I popped the piece into my mouth. It was some berry concoction of pastry nirvana.
“Good, right?”
“Amazing.” I turned back to eye the hallway. “I accidentally ran into someone back there.”
Taylor eyed me. “Okay…”
“I think she works here.” Violet eyes flashed in my mind.
“Oh, Tessa probably.”
I broke off another piece of berry goodness. “What’s her story?”
Taylor’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. “What do you mean?”
