Free Keep the Faith (Bulletproof #1.5) by J. L. Baldwin Page B

café barista boy. I’ll take a cab to the paper,” Anna suggests and before I can protest, she’s out the door in a flash. Goddamn-it. Phoebe told me to take a break from that place but I guess one little visit wouldn’t hurt.
    Making my way down-town to the café, I pass by the shop Anna told me belongs to Zac’s grandmother. The little shop was adorable with its downhome country feeling. I make a note to stop there one day this week. Pulling up to the café, the place looks empty. Looking at the clock, it’s just after eleven which marks the beginning of lunchtime. This place should be full of customers right now. Did I read Leo’s text wrong? I double check it and sure enough, there in plain text was: “Need to count inventory and I can’t find my cousin and you’re the only other one allowed to count inventory.” There was no way I could say no to that. I get in my usual parking spot, and get up to the front. It’s very quiet. The thought crosses my mind that somebody had stolen Leo’s phone and lured me here into a trap. Get it together, Sarah. Stop binge watching those crime shows on Netflix for crying out loud, you’re losing it. But, after everything that has happened, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched. Testing the door knob, it opens easily which strikes me as odd. I tiptoe inside, trying to keep as quiet as a mouse. The whole store is dark which is another red flag.
    A rustle from beneath the counter puts me on high alert. My keys are still in my hand along with the pepper spray I picked up not too long ago. I have it aimed and ready to attack the trespasser who might be back there. A minute later, a head pops up making me drop my keys with a gasp.
    “Hey, oh sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. I should have turned more lights on,” Leo says, sitting a box of coffee stirs on the counter. “I’ve already gotten started, there’s about a thousand stirrers divided between about ten boxes. We should be good on those for a while.” I can’t say a word because I can’t stop staring. He mentioned something about coffee stirrers but that’s not what has me on guard. It’s the fact he’s wearing a tight black tee and somewhat tight denim jeans. Not too tight but holy fuck are they tight enough. He’s wearing cowboy boots and a backwards Los Angeles Angels baseball cap.
    “Sarah?” He waves a box of spoons in my face, snapping me back from my thoughts. Shaking my head, I mumble. “Yeah, yeah sure.” I sit my purse down and pick my keys back up off the floor and look around the room.
    “What?” he asks, looking confused. Hell, I’m confused myself. This was only the second or third encounter with him and I could barely contain my nerves. Something isn’t right when I’m around him. I don’t understand how it makes me feel. It’s almost as if he has this pull on me, making me succumb to him.
    “Nothing, nothing at all,” I say, quickly averting my gaze elsewhere other than in his general direction. God help me get through this day and not go to jail for sexual assault.
    “Umm, okay. Well there is still a lot that needs to be counted and ordered. Phoebe called me after I texted you and said she was busy and couldn’t come in which was fine because I told her I had asked you to come in,” I watch as Leo sits the box down, then picks it back up, then repeats the same motion of sitting it down. “There is still an entire backroom full of supplies that need to be counted and sorted. It may take us a good part of the evening if we don’t waste any time,” Leo steps away from behind the counter and doesn’t look me in the eye. He seems to be struggling with something which is making me even more on edge. I watch as his body shifts slightly, and he turns away from me. Did I do something wrong?
    “Are you okay? You’re shaking,” I ask curiously. Leo sits down the box of spoons he was holding and steps away, shaking his hands at his sides.
    “I’m fine. I don’t think I’ve eaten much