"Tell me one thing. Did Sophie ever date Drake?"
Parker’s smile falters into a frown, and I no longer want to know the answer.
THRIFTY BUSINESS
CHAPTER 6
***
Sophie
The door chimes a few minutes after five.
“That you, Sebastian?” I call out from the backroom. “I’ll be ready in a second.”
I’m washing up, wishing I had a spare set of clothing stashed in the back room. The Santa’s Surplus, the thrift store a few blocks away, closes in an hour. There’s no time to run home for a change of clothes. It’s not like this is a date or anything. We’re two shop owners searching for winning decor, that’s all.
“No rush. I’m ready when you are.”
My pulse ticks a little faster. I glance at the mirror and pull the ridiculous Santa hat from my head. I quickly finger comb through my hair and let out a sigh. It’s been a long day, and though I’m grateful for the foot traffic, I wish I had time to spruce up properly.
I grab my fluffy coat and shove my arm through the sleeve on my way through the doorway. I struggle with the second sleeve, trying to feel for it as it dangles behind me.
“Oh, here. Allow me.” Sebastian hurries to my side with tinkling jingles following his footsteps.
“Literally with bells on?” I smirk as he holds my jacket in place, helping me with the elusive sleeve.
“I’m a man of my word.” He leans over my shoulder with his lips close to my ear. His words tickle and warm me, sending a zinging thrill across my entire body. “You’re a sight for sore eyes this evening.”
I laugh, sure I smell like sweet cream and a dash of salty sweat.
“Oh, this old thing.” I wave my hand in the air and spin like it’s fashion week and I'm modeling at the end of the runway.
Sebastian eyes every inch of me with his pleasure on full display. My ego eats up the attention, which in turn bolsters my confidence. It isn’t a date, but that doesn’t mean I can’t flirt.
I finger the cluster of metal bells clipped to his belt loop. They jostle and jingle, tinkling against the quiet hum of the ice cream freezers.