Chapter 170
Chapter 170
“Nice weather today,“he said as Jules scanned the water.
She glanced out the big window next to the counter. It had been drizzling rain all day, and while it had let up a little, it was still windy, gray, and wet outside. She glanced back at the man, uncertain as to whether he was being sarcastic. He hadn’t said it in a sarcastic tone.
When she met his gaze again, his face seemed slightly flushed compared to before. He grimaced faintly. “Actually, it’s not very nice, “he amended. “Is it? I mean… it’s alright p>
“Are you asking me?“Jules was confused. Why did he seem so flustered? Had she done something wrong?
“No. I mean, yes. You can say what you think. About the weather. And then I can reply.“He winced again, the flush deepening. “Because that’s how conversations go, “he muttered, sounding agonized.
Very, very slowly, it dawned on Jules that he was nervous. Nervous to talk to her? But why?
“Um, it’s alright,” she finally answered, still uncertain as to what was going on. But that was okay, because her anxiety had mostly been replaced by confusion. “I like the rain, actually. It’s kind of cozy p>
The stranger nodded earnestly. “It’s fresh. Washes the world p>
That was unexpectedly poetic. “I never thought of it that way,“she admitted. She liked the darkness. How the cloudy sky made the world feel smaller. Like she was a rabbit snugged up in a burrow.
“It doesn’t rain much where I’m from,“the stranger said, gazing past Jules to look out the window. “We get a lot of snow. But the warmer months are pretty dry p>
“Where are you from?“Jules asked reflexively, surprising herself by maintaining a conversation.
“Alaska. The interior p>
“Oh, wow. You’re far from home. What brought you to Wisconsin p>
“Visiting friends, “he said. “What about you p>
Jules blinked. “Me? I live here p>
“Right. Of course.“He flushed again, and now Jules was certain–he was nervous with her. But why?
An awkward silence lapsed until Jules realized she was still holding his water and hadn’t told him the total. “Oh! Um, is there anything else you need p>
He hesitated. “No,“he finally said, seeming frustrated.
He paid with cash again, and this time when his fingers brushed Jules’s hand, she didn’t flinch. She felt the rough pads of his fingers against her palm as his golden gaze held hers. It took the space of a second, but it felt prolonged and intimate. She nearly dropped the money again. Overheated, anxiety rising, she tore her gaze away from him and focused on putting the money in the till. She counted out his change and dropped it into his open
palm without touching him.
“Thanks for stopping. Have a nice day,“she told him with practiced politeness.
He stood at the counter, holding his change and his water bottle, looking oddly reluctant. He didn’t speak, simply gazed at her, brows drawn together. The silence turned uncomfortable, and Jules felt the panic rising again. She tried to batten it down, to let logic overrule emotion, but it wasn’t working.
The man stepped back suddenly, casting his gaze downward. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to-“He swallowed whatever he’d been about to say. “Never mind. I. uh… thanks. Bye p>
And then he was gone.
14:06
Caught Naked By My Alpha Neighbor! Now I’m His–No Escape.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.