The Gift of Strength by M.A. Innes

Author:M.A. Innes [Innes, M.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-18T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12

Payton

“No, this is not the time or the place.” I refused to even look at the romance or erotica sections as I headed toward the self-help books.

I had a job to do and it wasn’t researching my new self-discoveries, but I had to admit I was tempted to wander in that direction for just a moment.

It couldn’t hurt. I’d just—

“If you keep saying such weird shit when you talk to yourself, I’m going to start asking what you’re talking about.” Amanda’s stern voice had me nearly jumping out of my skin but the grin she was wearing when I whipped my head around said she was just fucking with me. “Either plan your grocery list like the rest of us or stop tempting me.”

Grasping at the flimsy excuse for my mental wandering as I held up the nutrition books I had stacked slightly precariously in my hands, I raised one eyebrow. “This isn’t the time or place to be evaluating my diet or dinner plans.”

There really wasn’t anything wrong with wanting crap once in a while no matter what the book on top wanted to make me think. Dreaming about a steak and fabulous mac and cheese all afternoon did not make me weak.

Her smirk said she didn’t believe my excuse for a second but she nodded anyway since she knew she’d been beaten. “It’s a stupid book but it sells incredibly every holiday that’s based around food and guilt.”

She was insane but probably not wrong in this case.

“Then in a few weeks, we do a window based around goals and turning your year around?” I could work with that. Maybe throw in some easy fitness books and something about rewarding good habits.

Amanda’s nod made it easier to stay on track and out of the romance section. “That sounds great. I’ll keep an eye out for anything that would work. Oh, there are some new cookbooks coming out soon. They’re not my biggest sellers but I’ll see if anything might work for the theme.”

We talked for another minute about ideas and plans for the rest of the evening. I thought I was in the clear but as I started to walk away because the books were fucking heavy, she sighed dramatically. “You’re not even going to give me a hint, are you?”

She was persistent, I’d give her that.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” That was true since I wasn’t sure if she was talking about my new friendship with Bex or if it was about my ridiculous rambling when she’d walked up.

But since I wasn’t going to help her out with either, I looked down at the books. “These are going to kill me. If I’d known there would be a quiz, I’d have brought the cart.”

She actually looked guilty, so I could only guess that she’d forgotten what I’d been doing to begin with. “Sorry.”

“No problem.” The interrogation wasn’t unexpected but I took the excuse to walk away without feeling guilty. “I’ll get some ideas together for the window and show you early next week.

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