Indulgence by Mahalia Levey

really think I’d not do the same here or anywhere else?”
    “Your sister? I thought, well, I don’t know what I thought.”
    “I remember the word irrelevant coming out of your gorgeous mouth. Being that you said what I was doing there was none of your business, you don’t get to be mad at me.”
    Zoey crossed her arms. “I don’t understand why you didn’t tell me she was your sister, when I accused her of stealing my customers.” Thinking before speaking prevented her from accusing him of spying on her to help his sister’s business. He wouldn’t need to do that, considering what he did for a living. Still, omissions were a type of lie.
    “It’s killing you, isn’t it? That brain of yours is going a mile a minute while you process in your pretty head what you don’t want to think about. The fact that the incident in my office took place, how you don’t want to want me, but can’t help the driving force pulling us together. I knew the moment you saw me with my sister without even looking in your direction. I’ll be brutally honest with you. I feel the same way. You’re one big-ass complication I don’t need, but damned if I can get you out of my head.”
    Zoey made change in the register and slid it over to him, avoiding physically touching him. Khristos’s thumb grazed the side of her hand. Tiny electric frissons tingled up her arm, giving her the chills. Her world teetered upside down and inside out. The scent of his cologne washed over her every time he leaned into her, making her want to burrow her face in his neck and inhale, saying “fuck the complications.” Deep down they felt right, he probably knew it, and she did too, but fought tooth and nail, using any excuse to keep him at arm’s length.
    “The beauty of feeling like I’ve known you forever is knowing when to back off instead of push. My family is having a brunch this week, and my mother has requested that I bring the woman who’s been on my mind.” He pulled out a business card. “Take my number and call me any time, any day, any hour. I’ll answer or call back if I’m unavailable. Have a good day, Sunshine of mine. This week has been stressful without your pretty face.” He leaned over, brushed his lips over hers, trailed a hand down her jawline, stepped back, and with one hand holding his coffee, his other in his pocket, he strolled out of her shop. He used his back to push open the door, his gaze never leaving hers. After a brief nod her way, he headed for his sleek, black sports car.
    When he pulled away, she gripped the counter and took a deep breath. The business card taunted her on the burgundy countertop. She picked up the card stock paper and flipped it over to glance at his scrawl. His personal number, and the address for the brunch faced her.
    Marie reappeared and silently moved up to stand behind the counter with her to fill orders as customers streamed in. They worked in companionable silence until the rush passed. With a few straggling customers conversing or perusing the newspapers she kept on hand daily, Zoey turned to her friend. “I’m sorry. What I said was rude and just plain bitchzilla. You’re right about me punking out. Friends, still?” she held out her pinkie finger.
    “Always.” Marie hooked her finger around Zoey’s in their standard after-fight make-up, friendship pinkie swear.
    “Your man looked good enough to eat with those black slacks on, and that crisp dress shirt, and olive-green tie. Who knew olive looked better on anything other than the outside of a house? Are you going to the brunch? Lysandros called and invited me to go. Personally, I really think he only did it because if I go, most likely you’ll go.”
    “Nah. He’d be crazy not to want you there with him. Just don’t bring the wedding scrapbook examples just yet,” Zoey teased.
    “Puh-lease. I’ve been updating that book since I was like ten. No one sees it but me. Ever.”
    “You should go. He’s a decent sort. If you