Page 57 of Thorn Evermore
“Okay.” His hand lingers in mine even as he moves back toward the door. “I’m really glad you showed up.”
“I always will, Kyson.”
Chapter 17
KYSON
I swear time is passing slower than usual. Maybe it’s because I know Thorn is waiting for me. He never left, coming in at one point to walk around the store and look at items, chatting with some of the workers at the front desk and tossing me the occasional flirty wink or smile.
I stayed up front after all that went down, choosing to rearrange some of the displays I’ve had my eye on for weeks. The less time in proximity to Neal the better. I’m dying to know what was said when I left the room, but whatever it was, it has Neal keeping a low profile.
My chest swells with pride. I don’t think anyone has ever stood up for me before. The logical part of me knows it must mean he likes me. Why else would he come to my job and face off with Neal? It’s just the hurt part that keeps poking at me, telling me not to let my guard down. Believing I could have a guy like Thorn in my life and then losing that would be too much to bear.
“Uh, excuse me, sir.”
I smile, twisting around to see Sandra. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she mocks, giving me a hard look. “What’s with thecryptic text and telling me you’ll fill me in later. YouknowI don’t roll like that. Spill the tea.”
Chuckling, I grab her wrist and lead her to the breakroom. “You won’t believe it.”
“Ooh, this is good.”
We sit at one of the tables and I launch into the whole situation with the district manager showing up and that someone here is stealing from the store.
“It’s Benji,” Sandra says. “A hundred percent. He’s shady.”
“Benji?” I shake my head. “No way. He’s odd, but he’s not a thief. It’s someone we wouldn’t suspect. It’s always someone no one suspects.”
“True.” She taps her fingers on the table. “What a douche though. Neal’s ego is ridiculous. Like you would compromise your integrity to frame him.”
“Right? I told him flat out that the last thing I want is for him not to get his promotion.”
She cackles. “Good for you!”
“But I haven’t told you the best part yet.”
“There’s more?”
“Yep. Neal and I were starting to get pretty heated after he insinuated it was me. The door to his office busts open, and…” I grin without continuing.
“And?”
“It was Thorn.”
Sandra gasps. “Go on.”
“He just busted in like a superhero. Then he asked me to leave and he stayed and talked to Neal. It’s like he somehow sensed the uncomfortable situation I was in.”
“Wait. He talked to Neal alone? What did he say?”
“Don’t know yet, but Neal hasn’t left his office since then.”
“Ooh, now this is juicy. Do you think Thorn threatened him?”
“I do.”
“Oh my god, I love this for you. Someone seriously needed to put Neal in his place.”