Twelve

I'll be the first to admit. Seeing Silas in the shop was a relief, especially after the great flood. Don't get me wrong, having Jace here was nice, but there's something about Silas that I can't explain. He calms me when I need it the most. But I'm just not quite there yet regarding romantic relationships. I don't have a timeline for when that might change or even if it ever will—just taking things one day at a time.

I also can't help but think about my masked stalker. Should I tell Silas about him? Or would he think I'm out of my mind? Who are we kidding? I am losing my mind. Why would Silas want to know about something that I might not even know is a problem, I haven't seen my stalker in a few days, so maybe they gave up on me.

But my first issue at hand is getting this shop fixed. When I look around, it turns my stomach, and there's no way in hell the crew can get this fixed on time. I need them to work fast before Nancy shows up, or else we are screwed.

"Teagan, can I have a word before you leave?" The head contractor, John walks over, holding his clipboard like he means business.

I groan when he stops in front of me. "John, it better be good news because I don't think I can handle bad news."

He rubs his greying mustache. "Yeah, you might want to call me the bad news train."

"Fuck balls. Lay it on me." I move closer when he lowers his clipboard.

"We're gonna have to replace all the flooring; we can't find the exact colour."

"Okay, that's not so bad."

He chuckles. "The water damage reached further than we assumed. The only thing that saved you is that the walls and subfloor are concrete. We do have to tear down all the drywall on this wall." He points to the wall to the right, the one I share with the boutique and the one closest to the outside door. "It has the most damage, and your shelves need to be replaced. So, if you wanted to change the shop's layout, this would be the perfect chance."

"Would I need a new permit for that?"

"You would need one, yes."

"And if we don't get said permit?"

He grins and shakes his head. "Nancy will ruin everything."

"I was afraid of that. Let's move ahead anyway, and I'll worry about Nancy. Because let's be real, she probably won't give us the permit to move a few walls even if I wanted to."

"What would you change?"

"I wouldn't mind removing the rental room and opening it up for more space. I know it would suck for the Mom and Tots, but I have to think long term and having screaming children in a bookshop isn't where it's at anymore."

"Build your small café that you wanted the first time around."

John was my original contractor, and he was here when Nancy turned into the devil when she tore through here the first time. And shut down the café idea. But now John is right. I could add a small one if I want to. But do I? That's a lot of work, and then I'll have to hire someone to run it and buy all the equipment, which is not in my budget anymore. But I want to build it in spite of Nancy.

"Don't worry, Teagan. I'll tear the walls down and continue with what we are doing. Head home for the day, and don't worry about a thing."

"Yeah, okay. Thanks, John."

I step outside expecting to feel some sort of relief, but nothing comes; my body is maxed out on stress. I'm not sure what my next step is. Do what John says or have a bigger space. I could ask Mom for her opinion, but she'll say don't aggravate Nancy. Dad will ask what does my finances look like. Because he's a responsible adult. And then Jace will say fuck that bitch.

I stop outside the café and pull my phone out. I only have one option left.

Me: Still up for dinner?

Sunshine: That didn't take you long. Miss me already?

Me: No. But I need to ask you something. Yay or nay?

Sunshine: Wow. Humble me much. It's always yes, Dimples. Did you wanna eat out or eat at my place?

Me: Can you cook?

Sunshine: Sure, not well but I haven't died yet

Me: Hopefully tonight isn't that night. OK, if you need me to bring anything let me know.

Sunshine: Just your sassy sel f

Charmer, that's what he is. Jace always says that a man's charm is his most effective weapon, and I believe it. Silas has a way of making me forget about my troubles. It's refreshing until I stop talking to him, and the world floods back to reality. And that is not a good thing.

I feel terrible showing up empty handed. I should've grabbed a six-pack but what if Silas doesn't drink? Maybe I don't know him as well as I think I do. I'm standing outside his door, debating whether this is right. Perhaps I should've just asked Dad instead.

As I knock, the door swings open, and Silas stands in front of me in his dark-washed jeans, a black Henley long-sleeved shirt, and his dark hair looking tousled without his hat on.

"Dimples. I was getting worried you were gonna walk that little fanny of yours back to your place with all that thinking you were doing."

I roll my eyes and smile. "Shut it. I was wondering how I was going to kick your ass if you tried anything."

He nods. "Sure you were. Come on in before we freeze to death." He moves away from the door and guides me in.

"It's not even cold out here. Don't be such a priss."

"I am a delicate fucking flower, if you haven't noticed."

I step inside his house, and I'm shocked. It's clean for a bachelor living alone. He rests his hands on my shoulder, guiding me to his kitchen.

"I've noticed. Are you hiding a maid in this place?"

He pulls a chair out for me and pushes me down. "No. I know how to clean, and the place doesn't get dirty with only one person living here. Drink?" He gazes down at me with an intensity that's hard to resist. It's tempting to close my eyes as I inhale his earthy scent, but I must stay strong. His playful smirk gives away that he's fully aware of the effect he has on me.

I push back in my seat, trying to clear my head. "Whatever you're having." I watch him move about his kitchen, grabbing two glasses from the cupboard. He peeks over his shoulder and then gets back to work. I have no idea what I asked for, but hopefully, it doesn't kill me.

He places a glass of clear liquid in front of me and laughs. "You asked for what I'm drinking."

"What the fuck is it?"

"Vodka."

"Um, can I have some pop or something to mix with mine?" He winks at me and opens the fridge. "My stomach would retaliate, and we would have a problem if I drank that straight."

"Don't apologize, Dimples. I'll never force you to drink something you can't handle." He pours orange juice into my glass. "I might force you in other areas, though."

Nope, the brain cannot go there. Dinner and talk about the shop. That was the whole point of coming here.

"What's for dinner? I would like to know what my last meal is."

"Don't be dramatic. You aren't gonna die. I made the easiest thing ever. Tacos."

I'd say the most uncomplicated meal. At least I know it's safe. It's the thought that counts; he could've told me no, and I desperately need his input. He's the only outsider I know; he hasn't been jaded by Nancy yet.

"Alright, spill. You asked for this night, so what's on your mind?" Silas asks before shoving half his taco into his mouth.

I wrinkled my nose in disapproval, and just thinking about Nancy turns my stomach. "Nancy and my shop. I need your advice on something, and you are the only one that doesn't have beef with her."

"Okay, shoot."

"The back room is going be coming down. John says to turn it into the café I wanted when I first thought of the shop, and I say leave it for retail or more book space. If we did the café, it would be more money and a permit. To get said permit would be coming from Nancy. I'm not sure what to do."

He sits there, staring past my shoulder for a minute. "Okay. With getting this café, would that bring in more customers to the book side or just to grab food and leave? Would the other café in town get pissed off with you? More work means more employees. Can you handle that?"

"That's what I'm worried about, or would it be easier to have a self-serve coffee bar?"

"That's not a bad idea. Create a reward system where they get a discount on a book or something. This way, it gets Nancy off your back. You don't need a large renovation, the permit shouldn't be needed, and you still have some sort of uniqueness to the shop."

I let out a small exhale. Relief that something has been worked out. "Thank you, Silas. I've been stressing over that all day. "

"There wasn't much to it. I only asked a few questions, and you came up with the solution on your own. What's gonna happen to the Mom and Tot program, though?"

I slump forward and hang my head. "I don't know. I love having it." I glance up at him. "But it's loud, and I'm afraid it's driving away business. You saw it firsthand. It's crazy."

"I'm sure they will understand, especially with the flood and whatnot. They can't expect things to stay the same. You have to think of what's right for your business."

"I guess. I feel bad."

"Don't. Where are they having it now?"

"Down at the community hall."

He shrugs, giving me my answer. It's probably better down there anyway; the kids have more room to run around and won't mess with my books or annoy customers.

"Now finish eating."

"God, you are so bossy."

He chuckles. "You have no idea."

In a way, I want to find out, but something is holding me back. Or is it someone?