All this to say that I’m basically a fucking Pavlov’s dog at this point. If my phone rings or a text comes through or the door to the Book Nook opens, my stomach clenches and my nipples get hard in anticipation of being with Jasper again.

I spin on my heel, prepared to launch myself at Jasper if it happens to be him, but come to a sudden stop when another handsome man fills the space inside the entrance.

“Connor. Hi.” I greet him, beyond thankful I remembered his name. “How are you?”

I look behind him, bracing in case this is another ambush and my dad is hot on his heels.

“Don’t worry. Andrew isn’t here.” He reads my thoughts. “I haven’t spoken to him since that day in the store.”

I’m sure there are people out there who are better humans than me who would feel bad hearing this. I mean, it did seem to be a business deal and I shouldn’t wish bad things on anyone and their livelihood. Especially not my own flesh and blood.

But what can I say?

I am my father’s daughter and I’m def not that good of a person.

“I’m a little biased, but that’s probably for the best.”

“You aren’t wrong.” His brown eyes sparkle with laughter and his smile widens. “I wish I knew that before I wasted all my time on the phone with him and giving you a bad first impression.”

“Oh please.” I wave a hand in front of my face. “You aren’t the first and you won’t be the last person who gets pulled into my dad’s shenanigans.”

As the offspring of Andrew Young, who very unfortunately shares his name, I know not to hold anyone else accountable for his selfish actions.

“Glad to hear that.” He moves deeper into the store, a shy smile making his boyish features look even younger. “I wasn’t able to look around like I wanted to the last time I was here and it would’ve sucked to get kicked out twice.”

I already knew he was attractive, but away from the stench of my father, I can appreciate it a little more this time. He’s still not Jasper—nobody is—but now I see the adorable little dimple pop out in his right cheek. He’s in jeans and a T-shirt, but he’s wearing them with the same confidence he wore his suit and tie with. There’s a swagger about him that’s a stark contrast to the good, preppy-boy persona he gives off, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t intrigued.

“That would’ve sucked.” I nod in agreement. “But I think you’re safe this time.”

His eyebrows reach for his hairline. “You think?”