Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
“The clothes never call me out.” I sigh and rub my face against the wool legging. “So soft. So beautiful.”
“Creepy!”
“The leggings never call me creepy.”
“Sometimes I worry about you, Alina.”
I laugh and continue my circuit of Sistine. The boutique’s been open for an hour and so far foot traffic’s been pretty light. That’s normal for this time of day. We’ll get more shoppers midday and after work, and there are a few private slots reserved for high-end clients after we shut the doors at six-thirty. Kira handles those unless I’m specifically requested, which is less often these days.
When I first opened Sistine, I figured it would be a fun distraction. I didn’t really take it seriously. I mean, I’m just some random girl, right? I didn’t know anything about operating a successful retail space.
But I got obsessed. That happens sometimes. The numbers aspect of the job made sense, and Kira’s always been really good at marketing. Together, we built a really good stock of rare and hard-to-find brands and started to build a reputation for cutting-edge style. I try to keep prices as reasonable as possible, and Sistine has still managed to pull in a profit year after year, growing every single quarter.
I love it. I know I’m a lucky nepo baby and this never would’ve happened without my family’s money, but still. I got my start and I ran with it, and now Sistine is my everything.
“You know nothing’s changed since you last touched everything, right?” Kira gives me a look as I join her up front. I pull up our accounting software on the computer and start going through the numbers.
“I’m aware of that, thank you.”
“How’s life with the husband? Do you fold his underwear yet?”
I glare at her. “I don’t touch his clothes.”
“That’s shocking. I honestly can’t imagine you living with someone else and not constantly organizing all their stuff.”
I steadfastly stare at my screen. “We don’t live together.”
“You don’t? I thought that was happening?”
“It’s coming, but we haven’t exactly agreed on the logistics.”
She looks like she wants to answer, but the door opens and the bell chimes. A man enters, walking in with a slight swagger and confidence, and it takes me a moment before I recognize him.
Finn Whelan. Seamus’s younger brother. He’s handsome and charming. We’ve spoken a few times but only at the wedding. I don’t actually know him at all, and I have no idea what he’s doing here.
“Hello, newest member of my family,” he says as he walks over. The guy oozes confidence. I’m actually kind of jealous. “How’s business today?”
“Everything’s doing great. Uh, is everything okay with Seamus?”
Finn waves a hand. “Who knows? Who cares? I’m here to check out the shop. Mind if I browse?”
“Please, go ahead.” I share a look with Kira. Her eyebrows are straight up to her hairline.
Who is the hottie? she mouths.
I nudge her with my elbow.
Finn whistles as he moves through the store. Once he’s around the corner in the smaller men’s section, I lean in and whisper, “That’s my brother-in-law. Remember him?”
Kira shakes her head. “Wedding’s a blur, honestly, on account of the murder and the general weird vibes.”
“That’s fair. His name’s Finn.”
“Know anything about him? Like is he single and looking for a pretty young girlfriend to spoil?”
“Please don’t hit on him.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.”
I glare at her. “Kira. I’m serious.”
She puts a hand over her heart. “You wound me, madam. How dare you cast aspersions on my honesty.”
I narrow my eyes. “Kira. I’m serious!”
“Good day to you.” She turns her back on me. “I will be helping the young gentleman shortly.”
“I know you’re lying when you start doing your weird Victorian England impression!”
“Balderdash!!” She glides away after Finn, and I’m left alone up front groaning to myself.
This can’t be good. Seamus’s family has never come to my boutique before, and no part of me thinks Finn’s here just to get to know me. That means something’s going on, and now I have to wait for the axe to drop.
Kira stays with Finn for a little while, and I do my best to ignore them as she gives him a tour around the store. I glare at the numbers, pissed at them for not calming me down like they normally do. Eventually, Kira chooses a bunch of clothes for Finn to try on, and I swear she’s about to invite herself into the dressing room with him.
It doesn’t come to that.
“I like him,” she says with a deep sigh. “Tall. Handsome. Very Irish.”
“Criminal,” I mutter.
“Aren’t we all criminals underneath the thin veneer of civil society?”
“It’s amazing how philosophic you get when it comes to thirsting after a hot guy.”
“To thirst or not to thirst—that is not really a question because I am parched.”
“Seriously. Kira. What’s he doing here?”
“I really don’t know,” she admits, sitting down on a stool and leaning her elbows on her knees. “Maybe he just needs a new wardrobe?”