Free Shuttered Affections (Cornerstone #1) by Rene Folsom Page A

decided to eat lunch at a
little café downtown.
    The quaint hole-in-the-wall café was famous for their
coffee, but also offered deli sandwiches and desserts. In the dining area, they
had various board games so people could sit and play with each other while they
enjoyed their lattes and cheesecakes.
    Maddy dropped me back at my apartment shortly after one in
the afternoon, which meant I had roughly two hours to get ready for work.
    I looked around the parking lot of our apartment building
and frowned when I didn’t see Sid’s car anywhere.

 

Chapter 9
    “You’re going to drive the guys wild tonight—you
know that, right?”
    As I stepped into the apartment, I glanced at my phone and
noticed Sid sent me a response to my text.
    Sorry, J- I am tied up with a hair appointment until right
before work. I’m already in my uniform. I’m sorry. We’ll ride together next
time.
    I was a bit bummed I wouldn’t have the chance to see or talk
to my friend before work again today. I missed her. I knew she had a boyfriend
and all, but I needed some serious girl time.
    Just as if something had hit me over the head, my eyes
landed on the note from him and a
creepy shiver rolled up my spine. Maybe I could quickly get ready for work and
get there early so I wouldn’t be alone.
    Quit being a baby,
Julia. Geez.
    Well, I figured should at least take precaution and bolted
the door.
    After my shower, I made sure to curl my hair and let it dry
naturally while I checked my emails.
    I wanted to load the photos of the garden on my blog, but
worried I didn’t have enough time for that right now.
    Excitement coursed through my veins when I opened my mail
app and saw his name.

 
    From:
[email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, March 13 at 10:35 AM
    Subject:
A garden fit for an Angel
    Juliana –
    Pat called me and told me you
stopped by.She seems to adore you,
which is no surprise.
    Pat also said you took great interest in one of her
antiques but she quickly realized you looked heartbroken over the price.She wouldn’t divulge what it was that
fascinated you.I find her honorability
with her customers to be very admirable, but that doesn’t mean my curiosity
isn’t piqued.
    So, if I may ask, what do you
have great interest in, Angel?
    I hope you and your friend enjoyed the butterfly garden.I’ll have to take you back there again, just
to enjoy it together.
    Do you have plans tonight?
    Aiden

 
    I smiled and hit reply.

 
    From:
[email protected]
To: [email protected]
Date: Tuesday, March 13 at 2:47 PM
    Subject:
Re: A garden fit for an Angel
    Oh, Aiden.Pat
is probably the sweetest woman I have ever met!She was so kind and thoughtful.I
never expected to be welcomed so warmly when I approached her about
photographing her place.I can’t thank
you enough for suggesting her shop and gardens to us.
    As far as what interests me, Mr.
Stone, I thought that was quite obvious. ;)
    But, I did see a beautiful, antique mirror, which I
believe, if my art history has helped me any, is from the early 19 th century and may be French.I did not
inquire about the history of the mirror because I didn’t want to fall in love
with it any more than I had.The price
is more than fair, but just too much for me.
    Pat’s garden literally took my breath away.I had no idea such a beautiful place existed
anywhere around here.She deserves some
exposure, but I almost got the feeling she likes her place to stay small, so
too much exposure may ruin that for her.
    As far as tonight, I have to work.As a matter of fact, if I don’t stop
blabbering and get my ass in the car, I will be late!Stocking shelves before my shift at 7.
    Thank you again for the recommendation!
    - Your Angel

 
    After pressing the send button on my too-flirty email, I
bolted for my shoes, and then for the door.
    Since I knew I was stocking shelves first, I wore a tank top
and jeans to work, but brought my nice clothes with me to change. Arriving
right at three, I