Page 93 of Hollywood

He cut sausage into smaller pieces for Ruby. “Good. Knight came by and I gave him a trim. He tried to talk Clint into getting a tattoo of some scissors and a razor. The old guy laughed himself silly.”

“Maybe you should get one.” I eyed him. “Some ink would be hot on you.”

“Yeah?” Color climbed his neck and brightened his ears. “Maybe.”

Hollywood was still a little shy, despite being the more experienced of us two. The more experienced with men, anyway. I’d been with a lot of women, but none seriously. I hadn’t really wanted a relationship. That seemed like a red flag now. Because I actually loved all this domestic shit. I hadn’t ever been this close to a person, male or female.

We finished up dinner, and I did the dishes while Hollywood took Ruby in for a bath. He loved spending this timewith her, and I got her all day, so I didn’t mind the break. When they came back out, Ruby’s skin had pinked up from the heat of the bath and she was snuggled into an adorable towel robe with a hood that had a duck’s bill on it.

“Quack!” she said.

I gasped. “Is that a duck? Where’s Ruby?”

She laughed as if it was the funniest thing she’d ever heard. Hollywood rolled his eyes, less impressed with my humor.

“See? This is why I love kids,” I told him. “They’re easy to please.”

“I’m easy to please,” he said, giving me a look that made me want to say to hell with work and stay home.

I groaned. “It’s mean to put those thoughts in my head right when I have to leave.”

He grinned. “Well, feel free to wake me when you get home.”

“I will.” I leaned in and kissed Ruby’s cheek. “Make your daddy behave while I’m gone.”

She giggled again. “Daddy always be-aves.”

“Oh, he does, huh? Well, I guess you should too.” I grabbed Hollywood’s chin and gave him a quick peck. “See you soon.”

I got to Wilde Roots just as regular store hours ended. Ken was still there, emptying the register and updating inventory before he headed out. He brightened when he saw me.

“Hey, Tex. Great work last night. I thought that new inventory would take much longer to move in.”

“I’m a beast,” I said.

Helena passed by. “Got that right. He’sbeastlyand boring!”

Ken flapped a hand. “Don’t mind her. She’s in a mood today. Says all I ever do is talk about you. But, seriously, Tex,you’re doing great work. I value employees who value my business.”

“I appreciate that. Uh, actually, I have a question…”

“Shoot.”

I braced my elbows on the checkout counter. “Do you offer a discount to employees?”

“Oh.” He blinked. “Well, to tell the truth, most of my employees are family. They automatically get a family rate. But hell, Tex, why not? You work harder than most of them, anyway.”

“I know I haven’t been here long, and if it’s not your policy, it’s fine.”

“How does fifteen percent off sound?”

“Even if I had a fairly large order to make?”

He frowned. “What exactly are you planning to do, son?”

My stomach tightened. “You know what, never mind. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Are you sure?” His forehead creased. “We could figure something out.”