Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Can we stop here first?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Of course. What are we shopping for?” He pulled the door open and held it for her.
“I need a few new shirts for work. Gemma knows what I like. She always makes it quick and easy.”
“Who’s Gemma?”
“The owner,” Nicoya responded, tugging him into the shop.
Axel glanced around as they entered, but moments later, a curvy woman appeared. “Nicoya! How are you?”
Nicoya tugged free of Axel’s hand and rushed forward to hug the woman. When she released her, she turned toward Axel. “Gemma, this is my…boyfriend, Axel Jennings.”
Axel smiled and extended a hand, hoping Gemma didn’t notice or mind Nicoya’s hesitation about what to call him. “Nice to meet you. Your shop is amazing.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Gemma gave Nicoya a hip check. “I didn’t know you were dating someone.”
“Well, Axel is new in town, and he’s kind of my next-door neighbor, and we just sort of hit it off.” She shrugged as though it were no big deal.
He tried not to chuckle. They’d done far more than hit it off. He was already thinking about rings and “I do’s” and how to get her to move in with him permanently. He wouldn’t voice any of that out loud yet and risk scaring her, but in his mind, those things were coming soon.
“I was hoping you might have some new shirts for me to wear to work,” Nicoya inquired.
“I sure do. I thought you might be coming in soon. I set a few aside for you.” She grabbed Nicoya’s hand and led her toward the back. “Give me just a second. I’ll be right back. I put them on a rack in the back room.”
When Gemma disappeared into the back, Nicoya looked at Axel and winced. “Yikes, I almost called you Daddy,” she whispered loudly.
Axel nodded toward the cash register. “Are you sure that would matter to Gemma?”
Nicoya followed his line of sight to see a very well-loved stuffie tucked next to the cash register. Most customers wouldn’t be standing this close to the entrance to the back room with a view of the stuffie.
Nicoya grinned wide. “Maybe you’re right.” She shrugged.
Just then the bell sounded over the door, indicating another customer was coming into the shop.
Gemma emerged from the back and hurriedly handed several hangers of shirts to Nicoya. “Give me a few minutes to help this customer. You can try those on if you want.”
Gemma rushed around them, but the new customer was already approaching. Axel watched the gentleman out of the corner of his eye.
Gemma smiled broadly. “Hi. Welcome to Design Magic. I’m the owner, Gemma. Is there anything I can help you with today?”
The man gave her a slow smile and extended a hand. “Anton Gates. Maybe you can. I need a gift for my sister. I was going to get her a gift card, but then I remembered how much she loves your store, so I thought I’d stop by and see if you could help me choose something for her.”
“Of course. I’d be happy to help. Give me just one second.” She turned toward Axel and Nicoya. “Did you want to try those on?”
Axel took them out of Nicoya’s hand. “I’m sure they’re fine. We’ll just get them all and get out of your way.”
Nicoya made a small sound behind him, but when Axel turned to look at her with wide eyes, she seemed to catch on. “Oh, right.” She hurried toward the cash register. “We don’t have much time anyway. We’re supposed to be meeting some people at Little Cakes. We’ll just get these really quick and be on our way.”
Axel gave Nicoya’s shoulder a squeeze as he pulled out his wallet. It was sweet of her to notice the possible chemistry between this customer and Gemma. Maybe the two of them might hit it off if Axel and Nicoya got out of the store.
“Did you say Little Cakes?” Anton asked.
Axel looked toward him. “Yes. Have you heard of it?”
“Love that place. Thanks for reminding me. I should head there next. My sister would be doubly impressed if I showed up at her birthday party with cupcakes. I wonder if they have any holiday ones yet. My sister is all about the holidays. Even though her birthday is December second, she considers it a Christmas birthday and thinks everyone else should too.” Anton rolled his eyes, but he was grinning.
“That’s so sweet,” Gemma responded as she rang up Nicoya’s shirts with trembling hands.
Axel didn’t miss the way she gasped and pushed her well-loved stuffie farther back behind the cash register. When he glanced at Anton again, he found the man’s eyes twinkling and a smirk on his face. He hadn’t missed it either.
A minute later, Axel and Nicoya were out of the shop. Almost before the door closed, Nicoya was talking a mile a minute. “Did you see how he was looking at her?” She giggled. “Did you see that stuffie? Did you see how she tried to hide it? Did you see how she was shaking while she rang us up and how flustered she was?”