“Come on. I know you’re into her.” Austin stalks into the kitchen behind me, tossing his beer into the trash. I glare at him as I pull the bottle out of the trash and toss it into the recycling under the sink.

“Sorry, gramps,” Austin quips, holding his hands up in surrender. I pop the tops on two new beers. “What do you have to lose by giving this thing with Jessie a shot?”

“You lose your balls when you turned into cupid or you just tuck them up your ass so they fit in that diaper?”

Austin keels over with a laugh. I stalk over to the living room. Sinking into the couch, I flip on the TV and try to ignore my dumbass best friend.

“Fine. I’ll leave it alone,” he claims from behind me. “But don’t come crying to me when she’s got someone new chasing after her.”

I groan and turn up the TV.

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Devin

I slide my key into the lock of the shop door early as fuck Tuesday morning, only to realize it’s already been unlocked. My shoulders tense and my senses are on alert. I know this door was locked last night because I was the one who locked it. Something’s not right.

I ease into the shop, set my gym bag on the seat and step in without making a sound. I search the space, looking for signs of damage or something missing. Nothing seems out of place. Soft voices draw my attention to the back office. I notice for the first time that the light is on. Someone is here.

I ball my fists up at my sides and stalk over. The door is cracked, so I peek in, trying to get an idea of what I’m stumbling into. My pulse skyrockets when I see Jessie’s beautiful smile and bright eyes. She’s leaning close to someone and nods in silent encouragement. I drink in the sight of her, from her bright green toenails to her sunshine yellow hair. My mouth curls into a snarl at the sound of a man’s voice.

Kicking the door open, I glare at Jessie and her early morning companion. They both jump, startled at the interruption of their private meeting. Jessie’s breath catches in her throat and she slams a hand across her heart, that I hope is racing as fast as mine. I turn my accusing gaze to the man. Mikey? What the fuck is Mikey doing here? At the ass crack of dawn? With Jessie?

I narrow my eyes at him and wait for an explanation. He raises his hands and opens his mouth.

“Jesus! You scared the crap out of me,” Jessie pipes up before Mikey can.