Read Online Worth It by Nicki DeStasi - Free Book Online

I’ll say or do something stupid, and he’ll run screaming.
    Stop the dramatics! I smirk. My inner voice can be a blessing and a curse, a voice of reason or a demeaning perfectionist that says I can’t do anything right. This time, she’s right. I need to relax.
    The ringing phone snaps me out of my rambling thoughts, and I answer, “Village Pizza, what can I get for you?”
    “Anna?” a deep, sexy voice asks.
    “Yes, this is she.” Who the heck is this?
    “Hi, Anna. It’s Jed.”
    Just like earlier, my heart skips a beat, and butterflies battle around my insides. I close my eyes, and I smile as I lean against the wall. Just because I don’t think it would be a good idea to get to know him, that doesn’t mean I can’t daydream about his hotness.
    “I just wanted to call and make sure you were still getting out at nine tonight.”
    “Um…yeah, nine. I can meet you out front if you want,” I say, picturing his smile.
    “No need.”
    I can hear his suppressed laughter through the phone.
    “What?” I ask, confused. Is he unable to give me a ride now? Shit, I’ll have to—
    “I’m already here.”
    My eyes snap open, and my heart stops completely before decompressing so hard that I feel dizzy. His magnificent body is leaning casually against the counter, and his dancing eyes are zeroed in on me. His sensual lips tip up into a knowing smile.
    Oh, son of a bitch! My face heats, and my shoulders tense as I realize that he must have seen me get all hot over his voice. Kill me now!
    I slam the phone on the wall base so hard that the receiver decides to tumble from its cradle onto the floor with an exaggerated clatter. Fuck you, phone! My cheeks flame even more as I snatch the phone off the floor and return it carefully to its rightful place.
    Without glancing up, I rush around the corner and begin scrubbing dishes like my life depends on it. Mortified, I focus carefully on each speck and spot, hoping they will help me forget the last thirty seconds. Instead, those stubborn specks laugh at me. Assholes.
    “You go now, Anna,” Christos’s Greek accent interrupts my weak attempt at distraction. “Shop slow down. We no need you anymore.”
    “Um…” This has got to be some sort of joke, and my ass is not laughing. “I still have ten minutes left.”
    “Is okay. You go now,” he says as if he’s doing me a favor.
    Fucker. “Okay. Thank you.”
    “No problem. See you morning,” he chirps brightly, oblivious to my flaming face.
    I nod with a weak smile and dry my soapy, wet hands on a towel. When I’m done, I toss the towel with the dirty ones. I close my eyes and breathe in deeply in preparation to face the beautiful man who makes me a jittery mess. I count to ten slowly to calm my nerves before I round the corner to face the impending embarrassment.
    Without meeting his penetrating gaze, I grab my coat and purse from where I tucked them underneath the counter. I walk around the counter and peek up briefly to see where he’s standing. I wish I hadn’t chanced a glance. His smile makes my breathing shallow and my heart race, and I nearly trip as I approach him. I feel the flush starting again, so I redirect my attention to my worn sneakers.
    “Um, hi,” I mumble to my shoes.
    When he reaches out to tilt my chin up, I flinch, and he drops his hand. Part of me wants to be touched by him, but that gesture sends ice down my spine and threatens to open my locked-up memories.
    “Sorry.”
    My head snaps up at his sad, frustrated tone, and my eyes meet his.
    He continues, “I just wanted you to look at me. I know we don’t know each other, but just relax. Okay?”
    My heart stutters and then warms at his soft tone, but I simply nod to show my understanding. I give him a shy smile, and he returns it. I follow him out the door to his truck, which is a big blue F-150 that can’t be more than a few years old.
    I can almost hear Donnie’s voice when he asked if I minded if Jed gave me a ride and encouraged