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Goddamn him!

Thankfully my hands didn’t shake too much as I unlocked the front door to hts and locked the door behind Michael as he stepped inside My wedged boot heels made a dull, soft sound across the blue-painted floorboards but Michael’s footsteps echoed loudly as he wandered around the store When his footsteps stopped, I turned in the doorway that led to lass display cabinets where my jewelry sat nestled on black velvet trays

When he leaned toward it to get a better look, my breath hitched He stared for a while and then lifted his head in awe “You made these?”

Pride caused a rush of hot blood to my cheeks I nodded

Michael’s gaze turned tender His expression was disar “They’re beautiful, Dahlia”

Emotion thickened my throat, and I whispered my thank-you Unnerved by his demeanor and my reaction to it, I turned away and disappeared into my workroom

After switching on the bright overhead lights—necessary as hardly any natural light filtered in through the shallos along the top of the far wall—I shrugged out ofand felt him stop in the doorway to the rooaze involuntarily swung to him He stood, feet braced, arms casually at his sides as he took in my workspace

There were two long benches in theneatly on it along with s The other bench had thethe far end ere cabinets that held the plethora of tools I’d collected over the years On the back ere the safes that held my supply of metals and precious and semiprecious stones

On the side of the roo units filled from top to bottom with stock There was a door at the back that led to the toilet and a small kitchenette

Michael wandered over to the bench closest to him and studied my work tools “What are these?”

Seriously? He wanted to talk about my work?

I glared at him

He shrugged “Indulgeabout how you do what you do”

Recognizing that little twinkle in his eyes, I surht if I took the tiitation I crossed the room and walked around the opposite side of the bench

“Blowtorch,” I snapped as I tapped it