Read Find You in the Dark for Free Online Page B

wasn't listening. “So where are your parents then?” I asked, following him again as he moved down the rows of books. “They're in Florida. Where I'm from.” He answered. Okay, he was not very good with the details. “So, you're not living with them because...?” I trailed off.
    Clay turned around and looked at me. His cheeks had two bright blotches of red and he looked annoyed. “Look, I'm not trying to be rude or anything. But I don't really know you. I'm not one to vomit up my life story to random people.” I felt my gut twist. I tried not to be hurt by his words. He was right after all. He didn't know me from Adam and here I was grilling him about his life. I was the one being rude and invasive.
    “Sorry, Clay. I'm not trying to be nosy. I'm just interested in getting to know you is all.” I told him sincerely. The tension left Clayton's shoulders and he seemed to relax. He turned back to shelving the books. “Why are you so interested in me?” He asked quietly. Hmm. How to answer that one? I didn't want to tell him that I thought he was the most gorgeous creature I had ever seen and wanted to have his babies. That might be a little much. So I gave him the next true statement that came to mind.
    “I would like to be your friend. If that's all right.”
    Clay looked at me strangely. I couldn't read his expression at all and he stood quietly for a moment, studying me. “Yeah. That would be cool.” He said after a few minutes. I smiled tentatively at him and he returned my smile with one of his own.
    After following him around the back of the store for another fifteen minutes, engaging in casual chit chat, I finally got up the nerve to ask him the question I really wanted answered. “So when do you get off work? Do you want to go grab a cup of coffee or something?” I braced myself for his rejection. I was being really ballsy today.
    Clayton looked up at the clock on the wall. “Actually I'm not technically working today. I just came in to help Tilly with stocking the shelves.” Clay indicated the twenty something girl who manned the cash register. The girl looked up when she heard her name. She was pretty, in that hippie sort of way, with long red hair and a colorful gypsy skirt.
    I tried not to get eaten alive with jealousy when she gave Clay a full toothed smile that clearly said she liked him saying her name. “Tilly, I'm gonna take off now. You cool?” He asked, walking behind her to grab his jacket. Tilly flicked her hair over her shoulder and straightened her loose blouse that was covered in tiny bells. “Sure, Clay. You going to be in tomorrow?” She asked with barely concealed hope in her voice. Clayton bestowed a beautiful smile on her and the jealousy raged wildly in my stomach. I wanted that smile directed at me, damn it!
    “Nope, I'm off until Tuesday.” Tilly's smile fell. “Oh, well I guess I'll see you next week.” She said with disappointment. She finally looked at me and I could see jealousy flash in her eyes when she realized Clayton was leaving with me. Take that bitch! I thought unkindly. Wow, where did this harpy come from? I was becoming a jealous shrew and he wasn't even my boyfriend.
    Clay gave Tilly a final wave and ushered me through the door of the shop. Once we were outside, I took off my fleece and tied it around my waist. The sun had come out and it had warmed up since I had been inside. We stood on the sidewalk looking at each other. “So, coffee?” Clay asked. I nodded. “Yeah, let's do that. There's a great place down the street. They have the best biscotti.” I suggested. Clay rubbed his stomach. “Mmmm. Biscotti. My favorite.” He licked his lips and I suppressed a groan. This guy was going to kill me.
    As we walked down the sidewalk, not saying much, my heart beat a mile a minute and my palms were sweaty. I discretely wiped them on my blue jeans. Clayton made me feel nervous and giddy all at once. I liked it.
    When we got to the coffee shop we both headed