Ash’s expression soured at that. “I don’t think love letters would work in this case.”

“Why not?”

He put his hand on her shoulder, giving her the this-conversation-is-over look. “Because this girl is not an option. She’s with someone else.”

Kincaid’s lips parted, the words hanging between them. Her mind started to scan girls who were in relationships at school, but before she could process all that, the door in the back creaked, and heavy footsteps sounded on the worn wooden floors of the shop. “What’s taking so long, babe?”

Ash quickly removed his hand from her shoulder and took a big step back, almost stumbling backward over the top of the kiddie tent.

Kincaid turned her head as Graham’s voice drifted over the shelves, and the floorboards squeaked with her boyfriend’s approach. “In the kids’ section,” she called out. “Ash needed help getting some inappropriate material off the shelves.”

Graham appeared at the end of the aisle, all blond hair and big, brown eyes, his smile going warm and wide at the sight of her. “There’s my girl.”

Kincaid’s stomach did a little flip as Graham walked over and gathered her to his side, kissing the top of her head. She’d dated a lot of guys throughout high school, usually briefly and disastrously, but she’d never had a boyfriend like Graham. One who wasn’t shy about giving affection or declaring sappy things about her. One who loved her. Like for real. Not just because she had big boobs and was on the dance team.

“Hey, baby,” she said, leaning into his side. “Sorry. I was about to head back out. But—”

“You started rambling on and completely forgot that I was sitting out in the cold,” he said knowingly. “And now we’re going to be even later. Kincaiditis strikes again.”

He delivered the words with a light tone, like he was teasing, but they still made her wince inwardly. Lately Graham had been on her about how flighty she could be. She was trying to be better, but…well, she really did have Ooh, squirrel! syndrome pretty badly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“It was my fault,” Ash said, cutting her off. “I needed her help. I didn’t realize you were waiting outside.”

“Haven’t you spent enough time with my girl already today, Isaacs?” Graham teased. “If it were anyone but you, I think I’d have to be jealous.”

Ash gave him a droll look. “Gee, thanks, man. Glad I’m so nonthreatening.”

Graham chuckled and gently punched Ash’s arm. “Aww, don’t get all offended. You know what I mean.”

Kincaid leaned into Graham, inhaling deeply. His hair smelled like the tea tree shampoo she’d bought for him. “Yeah, he’s like the annoying brother I never had.”

Ash made some sound she translated as sarcasm as he turned away to straighten the area he’d been reading in.

Graham glanced over at Kincaid. “So, did you find your purse?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Oops, I sort of forgot to keep looking when I ran into Ash.”