Handled by Angela Graham & S.E. Hall

Author:Angela Graham & S.E. Hall [Graham, Angela]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“You seem…” Harlow digs around her mouth for the right word, “happy?”

What with my downright bubbly personality and insatiable hunger to “chat with a few girlfriends,” I toss out a small titter and shrug as I stow my bag under the counter. “What can I say? If my epicenter’s feeling good, it shoots out sunshine signals to the rest of me.”

Poor Harlow is baffled silent, obviously debating if I’m being a snarky bitch or truly have the driest sense of humor on the planet.

Little of both.

Can’t help it. Genetics or something.

“So what’s new with you¸ blondie?” I ask, guilt propelling me to relieve the wrinkle in her brow.

“Well, um,” is all she gets out before I’m attacked…she’d probably call it a hug. There’s sobbing, blubbering, and lots of snot; it’s not pretty.

Another fine example of why I never pledged Chi Kappa Crybaby. But seeing as how she’s likely to remain attached until I say something, I clear my throat and take a stab at it. “Harlow,” stiff pat on her shoulder, “is there someone I can hurt for you?”

“Wow, you’re worse at that than I’d have guessed.” The slick, baritone pester from behind me sends a dash of zest up my spine and I manage, amidst Harlow’s clinging limbs, to turn my head.

“I thought you were off for a few days?” I ask one simpering Vaughn Stone, obviously getting mass enjoyment over my newly acquired Siamese twin…or more likely, the agonized scowl I know I wear.

“Get her off me,” I mouth to him in pleading desperation, earning his deep, rumbling laugh, but he does move to help.

“Harlow?” he asks in a soothing voice, coming behind the counter and approaching us slowly, disengaging her tentacles from around me. “Let’s turn Paige here loose and let her get to work before she sinks those fangs of hers in. Whaddaya say?”

Freed, I take a few hurried, large steps back, sighing in relief.

“She only likes it when certain people touch her,” he explains to Harlow, but lifts one side of his talented mouth and winks at me.

With concerted effort, I give him a dramatic gag and eye roll before starting to switch out the register drawers. “Harlow, you have to go cash out. And where the hell is Viv?” Honestly, I don’t know why I bother asking anymore.

“She called in. Date with Marcus,” Harlow peeks out with a sniffle and weak smile in Vaughn’s direction. Yeah, cause he’s the one with your mucus streaks on his shoulder. “Just you tonight. Will you be alright?”

“I don’t know,” I scoff. “She’s just so darn helpful when she is here, I’m not sure I can manage without her.” Probably not the best of ideas to admittedly call in for a date, versus sickness or death of a fictional family member…but I’m secretly glad to hear she’s giving McCreamy a chance.

I don’t miss the hard set in Vaughn’s jaw. “Not safe,” he practically grunts. “I’ll stay with you.”

Magic Mouth said what?

He can read my face or mind, ‘cause his unfairly enticing eyes alight with traces of smug victory and his shoulders bounce.

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