She's Got Dibs Read Free

second time. Dibs affirmed her choice with a nod.
    She pivoted on her toe to fully face him. He jerked his head toward the register.
    “Here.” She smiled when they met near the counter. “I’ll trade you.”
    “No way.” He shifted away from her.
    Wait… That suggestion wasn’t even in the realm of appropriate. “You’re buying my clothes.”
    “I’m buying these things I picked out.”
    She shrugged. “Okay, fine. Then I’m buying the things I picked out.” She swung the robe and shirt onto the counter. “Good luck fitting into that negligee,” she muttered.
    “Oh, no, I’m giving them to you. I’m just paying for them first.”
    She guardedly studied his eyes. Too bad he was such a whack job…
    “As a gift.” He smiled pleasantly.
    “So…we’re exchanging gifts now?”
    “Sure, why not?” He leaned an elbow on the counter, close enough her arm brushed the lapels of his suit coat.
    “All right, we can exchange gifts if you want to. Just don’t expect anything for Christmas or your birthday.” She signed the credit card receipt and stepped to the side.
    He pushed up from the counter and the woman behind the register froze. “Uh-h-h…” She blinked at him over the top of her half glasses. “Did you find everything all right, sir?”
    He faced Tessa, deadpan. “Did we find everything all right?”
    Widening her eyes, she rolled her lips together to stifle a laugh.
    “Yes, it was fine.” Chuckling, he pulled a thick gold money clip from his pocket and slipped two one-hundred-dollar bills off the roll.
    Aha! He was an international jewel thief…or maybe some sort of Wall Street guru.
    The woman’s cheeks flushed when she handed Dibs his change. “Thank you, sir. Have a nice day.”
    Hmmm… Tessa wrinkled her brow as they walked together toward the exit. “Why is it, do you suppose, she didn’t ask me if I found everything all right?”
    “It’s my dashing good looks.” He scrubbed a hand across that dangerous chin of his.
    She scowled. “Well, it certainly isn’t your stellar personality.”
    “Hah! I like you. You’re funny.”
    “You sure it isn’t just my dashing good looks?”
    He shrugged. “Well, there’s that too.”
    Okay, smarty pants. She pointed toward the sundries shop next door, tipping her head to indicate the woman behind the register as they entered. “Here, let’s test your theory.”
    “Fine.”
    “Good.”
    A quick shuffle through the travel size deodorants and toothpaste and she rejoined Dibs—carrying his personal items—and together they approached the counter.
    “Hi.” Tessa placed her purchases beside the register, smiling brightly.
    “Hello.” The woman snapped her gum as she scanned the items.
    “How are you today?” Tessa asked. Dibs’s low chuckle rumbled behind her. She tossed her elbow back and caught him in the ribs. He sputtered, and then laughed again while she maintained the false pleasantries. “Nice weather we’re having, huh?”
    The woman grunted, dropped Tessa’s purchases in a plastic bag and slid it across the counter. “That’ll be $34.78.”
    As she handed Tessa her change, the woman glanced at Dibs. She whipped her chin in his direction. “Hi, there.” Her terse demeanor instantly evaporated.
    “How are you?” He set his items on the counter.
    “I’m just fine, thanks. How are you?” The cashier stared at him a moment longer before ringing up his purchases. She returned her gaze to him as often as possible.
    “I’m fine.” He cocked an eyebrow at Tessa.
    She squinted and bobbled her head.
    “Did you find everything you needed?” The woman slowly placed his items in a plastic bag.
    Tessa groaned and left the register, waiting for him at the store entrance.
    “It’s a curse.” The sober set of his lips didn’t hide the humor dancing in his beautiful steel-blue eyes.
    She feigned a gag of disgust. “Unfortunately, you’re still a whack job.”
    “Come on.” A knee-weakening grin lit his entire face