CHAPTER FIVE

AVERY

After my unexpected interaction with Dominic, I'm dreading work as I park in the same spot as yesterday. I'm not sure if he and Mike have a meeting today, but my fingers are crossed that they don"t.

Because Dominic Stone confuses the hell out of me.

It took forever to fall asleep last night because all I could do was wonder why he seemed so intent on talking to me. And how good he'd looked in his casual henley, rolled up to reveal a surprising array of tattoos, and jeans. The scent of his cologne tickling my nose. His heat warming my skin even from a distance.

You're ignoring all those pesky feelings, remember?

His overbearing manner should concern me, not send my heartbeat into overdrive.

Shutting the car door, I realized a second too late that everything I need is still inside the passenger seat.

My phone. Keys. Wallet.

Crap, not again.This is the second time in the past month I"ve locked myself out of my car. Because I get so stuck in my head thinking about the past or future that the present is completely forgotten.

Last time, the sheriff"s department sent a deputy out to unlock my car while I was at a friend"s house in Everton. Hoping this county does the same thing, I dial the non-emergency phone number from Design Time's landline after punching my timecard.

"Suitor's Crossing PD. How may I help you?"

After explaining my situation, the operator says to call a locksmith before dismissing me. "Dammit." This is all I need. Paying to have my car unlocked because stupid Dominic distracted me.

Breathe.

It's not the end of the world. People lock themselves out of their cars all the time. I"ll just deal with it on my lunch break.

"Everything okay?" Julie asks, stepping into the tiny storage closet where our timecards and extra inventory are kept. She's a recent high school graduate who works part-time as a retail associate, and the days when she's scheduled are my favorite because that means I'm off the hook managing both the front and back of the store.

"Yeah, I'll figure it out. The cops can't help me, unfortunately."

"Ugh, that sucks!" Julie squats down to search the bottom shelf of cardboard boxes. "Do you know if we have any more of those Suitor's Crossing Alumni tees? I need a 3XL for a customer up front."

"There are a couple stashed beneath the register. I moved them because so many people came in asking for sizes we were already out of. Sorry I forgot to let you know about the change."

"No worries. I'll check to see what we have left."

After she leaves, I give myself a second to relax before heading back to the embroidery machines and officially starting my workday. Kristina nods in greeting, focused on folding and packing a rush order of embroidered Carhartt jackets that need to go out with today's FedEx run.

The clock above my machine reads 9:09 AM. Only four more hours until lunch.

Time passes slowly without my phone available as a distraction. Once a machine is set for an order, there's not much more for me to do in between runs. Just sit and watch for any random mistakes like skipped stitches or a broken bobbin thread.

It's a boring as hell task without a little reading or social media scroll thrown in every so often.

When 1 PM finally rolls around, I clock out and call a locksmith—who says it's going to be about forty-five minutes because he's handling another job in High Ridge. Fuck. Why didn't I call earlier to put myself on his schedule?

Now, I'm stuck starving without the means to buy lunch, and by the time this guy arrives, my break will be nearly over.

"Why me?" I groan and lay back on the sun-drenched sidewalk on the opposite side of the alley where my car is parked, closing my eyes against the brightness.

Maybe I can take a nap, catch up on the sleep I lost because of Dominic—who did have a meeting with Mike this morning. Now that he's renting an office space, I don"t think I"ll ever be free of him.

Suddenly, a shadow dims the sun beaming down on me. "What are you doing?"

Speak of the devil…

Keeping my eyes shut, I wave my hand haphazardly in the air to ward him off. "Resting. You can leave."

Of course, he disregards my edict and sits beside me instead, his leg brushing against mine. I shuffled over the concrete to put some distance between us. Dominic's already caused me enough trouble. I don't need to feel the strength of his sturdy thigh resting along mine, too.

"Resting. On a sidewalk," he drawls. "Ignoring the fact that it's the middle of the workday, don"t you have a bed?"

A beleaguered sigh follows his question.

Clearly, Dominic can"t tell when he's not wanted. Or he can, and the nuisance just likes annoying me.

"Yes, I have a bed. Unfortunately, I can"t get to it at the moment because I locked myself out of my car. I"m waiting for a locksmith." Now that he has the full story, maybe he"ll leave me alone to languish from hunger and sun exposure.

"When did he say he"d be here?" After I relay the time, Dominic stands and holds his hand out to help me up. "Follow me. I"m pretty sure I have a wire hanger in my car. We can open it that way."

Pushing his hand aside, I rise on my own. "Have you ever done that before?"

He nods, leading us to his silver sedan parked a few yards down on the intersecting street. A click of a button later has the trunk popping open. "Of course. You think you"re the only one to ever lock your keys in a car?" He grabs the hanger before we retrace our steps to my Nissan, and he maneuvers the metal wire through the window.

"You"re sure you know what you"re doing?" I don"t want him accidentally breaking my window or anything. My hand braces against my forehead to block the sun as I cautiously hope this works.

"For the last time, yes… You're incapable of relaxing, aren't you?" He continues moving the hanger around until the lock clicks. "There. Satisfied?" The hanger slides out, and he opens the door with a flourish.

My lips twist into a saccharine smile as I brush him aside. "My knight in shining armor." Placing a knee on the driver's seat, I reach across the console to grab my phone and call the locksmith to let him know he isn't needed anymore.

"Have you eaten lunch yet? A sub from Pickle Rye sounds good."

He's right. It does.

But I'm not having lunch with Dominic.

My stomach growls in protest.

"Guess that answers my question. Come on." His large palm lands on my lower back and gently pushes me forward. Maybe I should fight him, but what's a sandwich together?

It means nothing.

Absolutely nothing.