Eye Candy

He twists a cable tie around the light cord and glances over at me. When he does that, when those eyes hit mine, my stomach flutters. That’s a feeling I never thought I’d get to experience again. Not after what Terry did. In fact, I doubted that I’d ever be able to trust another man again, but I am trying, and this feeling I have as Oliver looks at me makes me have a bit of hope.

“I’m a motorbike mechanic. I do four days a week there, and then the rest of the time I spend here, fixin’ shit, helpin’ Kenai and Marlie when they need it.”

“That’s admirable.”

“It’s a good place.” He shrugs. “It’s for a good cause. I’ve always got time for things like that.”

Yep, I like him all right. There is something so real and genuine about him. Something I haven’t seen in a lot of men. I like that he cares. I like that he takes pride in what he does.

“There you two are!”

We both look over to see Marlie bounding up the stairs, looking flushed. No doubt this is taking its toll on her. It can’t be easy organizing all this, no matter how many helpers she has. Marlie is beautiful, without a doubt. Steel gray eyes set in a delicate, beautiful face. Her hair is honey colored, and she radiates the kind of strength and beauty that makes you want to be around her all the time. She’s the strongest person I know. Enduring what she has, and then opening this place with her sister Kaity, was a selfless thing to do.

“Hey, Marlie.” I smile at her as I fix some of the lights.

“Marlie.” Oliver nods her way.

“We’re probably going to be at this all night to have it ready by tomorrow.” She sighs, running her fingers through her hair. “So I was thinking, if Kenai and I provide pizza and drinks, will you guys stick around until we finish?”

“Sure,” I say, without hesitation. “I’m all in.”

“Got nothin’ else to do,” Oliver says, shrugging. “I’ll stay.”

“Gosh, you guys are gems. Thank you so much.”

“What else do you need us to do?” I ask, attaching another light. “Give us a list, and we’ll get to it.”

She claps her hands together. “Just decorate as much as you possibly can. Kenai and Kaity are on the food and drink run right now, and I’m organizing all the tables and chairs. So just keep decorating, and that’ll be great.”

“Can do,” Oliver says.

“Amazing.” She claps again. “Well, I gotta get back downstairs. Thanks again.”

She disappears and I turn to Oliver. “Looks like we’re in for a long night.”

“Goin’ to be even longer tomorrow night, with the amount of people they’re expecting.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “It’ll be a big one. Do you mind if I make a quick phone call? I want to let my best friend know I might not be home until later. I’ll need someone to feed my hamster.”

Oliver’s brows go up. “You got a hamster?”

I smile sheepishly. “Well, yeah.”

His lips twitch with a smile and my heart races. Gosh. He’s gorgeous. “Didn’t pick you for the hamster type, but now that I think about it, makes sense. You’re different.”

I’m different.

Not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.

“Well, ah, thank you . . . I think.”

He makes a snorting sound that I would almost say is close to a laugh. I smile and pull out my phone, dialing Erin and walking down the hall a little.

“Yo, chicky,” she says after the second ring.

“Hey. Listen, I was wondering if you could feed Batty for me tonight. I might not be home until later.”

I glance over at Oliver, who is watching me. Flushing, I walk further down the hall.

“Ohhh,” Erin says. “What’s the big occasion? Date?”

I laugh softly. “No. Marlie asked if I could stay and help to get this place ready for tomorrow night. Oliver and I—”

“Wait a second,” she cuts me off. “Did you just say Oliver and you . . . ?”

I flush. “Yes,” I whisper. “We’re working together. We’ve kind of been talking all morning.”

“Oh my God!” she screams. “How come you didn’t text me the moment he spoke to you?”

“Because I locked myself in a closet and he saved me, that’s the only reason I had the courage to speak to him.”

“Ohhhhh,” she croons. “You locked yourself in a closet to get his attention.”

I groan. “I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Sure, whatever you say.” She laughs. “Tell me more. Is he hot up close? Is he nice? What have you spoken about?”

“I can’t talk about that,” I whisper. “I have to get back to work, but I’ll tell you once all this Halloween stuff is over.”

“You better!” she chastises. “I want to hear every detail. Oh oh oh, kiss him when it’s all dark and spooky. Act like you’re afraid.”

I roll my eyes, even though she can’t see. “I have more class than that. We’re grown women now, we’re not fifteen anymore.”

“Pfft,” she snorts. “We’re only twenty-five, that is still young, and nobody has more class than that when a hot guy is around. Do it, Jade, you won’t regret it when he sweeps to your rescue.”

“Knowing my luck, it won’t be him that rescues me.”

She laughs. “True. Okay, well, get back to it and I’ll feed that crazy hamster. I want details, though!”

“Okay,” I laugh. “You’ll get them.”

“Later, chicky.”

I hang up and join Oliver on the stairs again. The second I stop, he says, “You named your hamster Batty?”

I can’t help it—I burst out laughing. “It’s a long story.”

He raises his brows. “Well, we’ve got a long night. Start talking.”

So, I start talking.

*

“You guys did an incredible job!” Marlie says when we all flop down onto the circle of sofas around eight that night.

“Thanks,” I say, my voice tired as I tuck my feet up beneath me. “It was a big job, but the place looks incredible.”

It looks like Halloween at its finest. Decorations, spooky objects everywhere—carved pumpkins, spiders hanging, ghosts strung up, skeletons in the corners, bats hanging from the fans, cobwebs, and a smoke machine ready to rumble. Marlie got Halloween-themed tablecloths, lights, cups, and plates. Even the food they brought in is all Halloween themed. Yes, it looks fantastic all right.

The event is adults only because we’ll be serving Halloween cocktails, and we are charging admission. All the money raised will go straight back into Sanctuary. We’re raising funds to extend the small back courtyard to a bigger space where we can run more outdoor activities.

“Couldn’t have done it without you guys,” Kaity says, sitting down on the sofa and pulling out her phone. “Let’s hope it’s a success.”

“I think it will be,” Marlie nods, smiling at her sister. “People love Halloween.”

“That they do,” I agree.

“Kenai and Oliver will be back with the pizza and beer soon. I can’t wait. I’m looking forward to having a drink.” Marlie sighs.

“Me, too,” I agree.

“Me three.” Kaity laughs.

“Soooo,” Marlie says after a giggle, looking to me. “You and Oliver looked pretty chatty today when you were decorating.”

My cheeks heat. “We were just talking,” I mumble.

“Mmmhmmm.” Marlie wiggles her brows. “Talking, sure . . .”

“He is super hot,” Kaity points out. “I can totally see why you’d want to talk to him.”

I flush hotter. “I think he’s a nice guy.”

“You should ask him out,” Marlie says. “Do you like him?”