“I’m glad. You scared me there for a moment. I thought you were going to kick me out on my arse.”

“I just—” She leans back far enough to look me in the eye. “I’m still learning.”

“It seems we both are, darling.”

“How long are you in town for?”

“A week,” I say and return her wide smile. “I’m thinking of bringing this fall’s retreat to New Orleans, so I thought I’d look at possibilities and spend some time with you, if you’ll give me some. My agent is going to book a couple of radio shows while I’m in the area, and I can do my other radio show from here.”

“You’re bringing your business to New Orleans.”

“Just for the week, so I can see you. I can’t take the week off completely, Charly. I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry.” She shakes her head and hugs me again. “Are you exhausted from the flight? Hungry?”

“Both.” I grin as she pulls away and finds her cell phone. “What are you doing?”

“Calling in some help. I’m taking the rest of the day off. I’ll help you get settled.”

“Are you certain?”

She simply winks at me and listens as the phone rings against her ear. “Hello, Linda? It’s Charly. I could use some help at the shop today. Would you be willing to come in and stay until closing?” She nods and adjusts a display as Linda talks. “Perfect. No, that’s just fine, sugar, thank you. I’ll see you in an hour.”

Bloody hell, her accent just about brings me to my knees.

She hangs up and turns to me. “Are you really here?”

“It appears so.”

“Linda will be here in an hour. Are you already checked into your hotel?”

“No, I came here first. Why don’t I go do that while you get things handled here, and I’ll pick you up in an hour?”

“I’ll come get you. Where are you staying?”

I cross to her and pull her in my arms, rest my forehead on hers, and say, “If you come to me, we won’t leave the hotel room, love.”

She shivers. “Okay, you pick me up. I’m hungry. And I’m not that easy.”

I kiss her gently. “I’ll see you soon.

Chapter Nine

~Charly~

He’s here.

Simon is in New Orleans. The minute I saw him, my tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth and I was just…numb.

I haven’t felt like an excited teenager over a boy since… Well, ever. I’ve never felt quite this way before, and I’m not quite sure what to do about it.

And I’m not going to overthink it now.

Because he’s here.

“Thanks for coming in, Linda.” I smile at the other woman and finish the display I’d started when Ben came in. “It’s been pretty tame today.”

“Oh, I don’t mind at all.” She grins and ogles a new pair of orange sling-backs. “Being surrounded by beautiful shoes is never a bad thing.”

“That’s the truth.”

The bell over the door dings, and in walks Simon. His dark hair is damp from a shower, and he’s changed into a Henley T-shirt and cargo shorts and good God, I want to climb him like a tree.

He flashes a smile at me, and I hear Linda gasp.

“Is this why you need the rest of the day off?” she asks, not bothering to whisper.

“Yes.”

“Good girl.” She offers her fist for a bump, which I accept with a laugh and wave at Simon.

“I just have to grab my bag.”

“No problem,” he replies and admires the display. “You did all of this while I was gone?”

“It doesn’t take long.” I shrug and duck into the workroom to retrieve my things. “I plan it out ahead of time, so putting it together goes relatively smoothly.”

“It’s a work of art,” he says, his hands on his hips as he stands back and stares at the wall. “The way the colors flow, how you have them arranged. I like it.”

“It’s just a shoe display,” I reply.

“Charly isn’t good at taking compliments,” Linda says and I feel Simon’s gaze turn down on me. “Just smile and say thanks, honey.”

“If you need me, I have my cell,” I reply, ignoring her comment. “Call for anything at all.”

“I’ve got this,” she says, shooing us away. “Have fun.”

“Shall we?” Simon holds his arm out for me, and I slip my hand through, loving the feel of his strong bicep under my hand.

Good God, what he does to me.

“Did you eat?” I ask when we’re on the sidewalk.

“Nope, I waited for you.”

“Good, I’m starving.” I stop and glance around. “Where’s your car?”

“I walked.”

“You must be staying nearby?”

“A few blocks away.” He takes my hand and links our fingers. “Lead the way to something delicious.”

Café Amalie.

I haven’t been there in ages, and I just heard that they’re serving lunch on the weekdays.

“I know a place.” I wink up at him before slipping my sunglasses on my face.

“I’m sure you do.” He takes a deep breath. “I thought it would be hotter.”

“Have you been here before?”

“Once, but only briefly.” He shakes his head and stops to look at some artwork in a storefront window. “It’s a beautiful city.”

“It really is,” I reply with a nod. “It’s been a mild summer. The afternoons will get hot, but it cools off nicely at night. In another few weeks it’ll be miserably hot most of the time.”