I grinned at the mix of excitement and awe on her face. “I wasn’t aware you even knew Clara Parker.”
“Oh, I don’t, but the gossip around town is that she passed out at Thanksgiving, and the whole family went to the hospital with her.”
“Oh my gosh. Is she okay?”
“I have no idea. The whole family was there all night, and no one around town knows anything yet.”
I frowned at the revelation. “That’s strange.”
“I know. Not even Georgia has any information.”
Georgia was known for having all the latest gossip, and since her daughter was married to Liam, it was even stranger that she knew nothing. And on top of that, Sam had been at the Parkers’ on Thanksgiving, but he hadn’t mentioned a thing about Clara. Then again, I had bigger issues at my house that night.
“Well, I hope she’s okay. Is she home?”
Alyssa nodded. “She got home late last night.”
“Well, no news is good news. At least, that’s the saying. So, what are you up to today?”
She sighed heavily, leaning on the counter as if she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. “I have to look for a job.”
“Are you ready for that?”
Though I knew very little of Alyssa’s past, it was clear that she’d been through some very rough times. I’d seen plenty of moments at the shop where Alyssa completely zoned out, didn’t hear a word I said, or even remembered what happened in the previous hour. She always pretended she was just thinking about something, but I had the feeling it was her trauma sneaking up on her, taking her back to places she didn’t really want to go.
“I have to be ready. JR can’t take care of me forever.”
“He’s your brother. I hardly think he cares. In fact, I would guess that the only thing he wants is for you to be happy.”
She smiled brightly at me, refusing to look defeated. “Well, if I’m going to be happy, I have to make myself happy. No one can do that for me.”
“Any guys on the horizon?” I asked, though the answer was always the same.
“Nope, and I’m perfectly happy with that. Though I do miss orgasms.”
Sam’s face flashed through my mind, but I quickly tucked that sexy smile away for a time when I was alone and could think of the way he used my body so well.
I wouldn’t get a single thing done if I stood around here thinking about Sam and the amazing things he could do with just a simple touch. So, I snatched some books up off the counter and carried them over to the non-fiction section to shelve.
“Any idea where you want to work?”
When she didn’t immediately answer, I turned and caught her gnawing at her bottom lip.
“What is it?”
“Well, it’s just…I had an idea, but…”
“But what?”
She opened her mouth, but never got a word out before the door chimed and Ellie walked in, her eyes darting to every corner of the store before she took a hesitant step forward.
“Good morning, Ellie!” I beamed, hoping to come across as friendly and not overbearing. I’d told her she could come in anytime she wanted. That didn’t mean I wanted her to feel like I was going to gush over her whenever she came in. That would only make things worse for her.
“Hey.” She shot me a hesitant smile, but didn’t come in any further. The uncertainty in her eyes was killing me. I would give anything to be able to help her, but I had no idea what she needed.
As she wrung her fingers together, I took a step forward, hoping she would open up to me a little.
“Um…is it okay if I…hang out?”