Focusing on her food, Lauren took another bite, washing it down with coffee. “Louise, could you pack up my soup? I’ve got to get back to work.” She had to get away from this man, but no one needed to know that.

“Sure thing, kiddo. Gimme a minute.” Louise disappeared into the kitchen, returning with a take-away bowl and lid. “Here ya go.”

“Thanks,” Lauren said, then went through the process of pouring her cup of soup into the plastic bowl. She felt him watching her. Her hands shook. She chewed the sides of her mouth, anything to keep her from doing or saying something she’d regret, like Could you stop staring at me? or something to that effect, as his gaze made her insides turn to mush. Doing her best to ignore him, she packed up the soup, took a ten-dollar bill from her pocket, and, as always, tucked it under her empty bowl.

He reached out and took the ten-dollar bill and held it out to her. “My treat?” he asked.

Lauren was getting all kinds of mixed signals from this guy. Most of them she didn’t need or want. “I can pay for my own lunch,” she said, then tried to take the ten-dollar bill from him. He yanked his arm away, holding it high in the air. The only way she could reach it was to stand on the barstool and rip it out of his hand. No, even Lauren knew what a fool she’d make of herself if she did this, so she said, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, Lauren.” He handed her money back to her and placed his ten dollars on the counter.

Before he had an opportunity to speak, she grabbed the take-out dish and rushed out the door. A few local business owners said hello, but she didn’t bother responding. She wanted to get back to the store, back to her comfort zone. Mr. Hunk was not part of her comfort zone.

Chapter 15

Chapter 15

As soon as she returned to the store, Lauren took down the OUT TO LUNCH sign, bumped the heat up a few degrees, and went to her office. Apparently, Razzle Dazzle wasn’t going to be overrun with customers, so she logged onto the Internet, read her e-mails, and saw nothing of great importance. As she prepared to add a few facts to her file on Globalgoods.com, she heard the bell over the door jingle, letting her know she had a customer. Running a hand through her hair, she smoothed her shirt and managed to put a smile on her face.

Surprised to see her mom and dad, Lauren lit up. “What are you two doing out in this nasty weather?”