Page 57 of Hot Girls Date Shifters

“Get it together, Elsie. Do your job. Run your store.”

I point at myself in the mirror.

“You own this place. You are a professional. You are absolutely not going to embarrass yourself.”

Satisfied with my pep talk—well, satisfied enough—I smooth my dress, tuck a loose strand of blonde hair behind my ear, and head back into the shop.

The moment I open the restroom door, there he is.

Standing a little closer than where I'd left him.

Except he isn't browsing.

He's looking toward the hallway.

Toward me.

Concern softens those incredible green eyes.

“Are you okay?”

The question catches me completely off guard.

Not because of what he asks.

Because of how he asks it.

Like he genuinely wants to know.

Like my answer matters.

Something inside my chest squeezes unexpectedly.

How long has it been since someone asked how I felt?

How long since someone looked at me like that?

Really looked.

“I'm...”

I swallow.

“... yeah. I’m okay.”

I nod.

“I'm fine.”

Except I'm absolutely not.

My hands are trembling.

My pulse won't slow down.

And for reasons I cannot begin to explain...

Every instinct I possess is suddenly urging me to close the distance between us.