Captivation Read Online Free Page B

the door open for her, and headed straight for the counter. When she finally lifted her head to face the person standing behind the computer, she groaned inwardly. The girl’s name tag said, Kaylee. Wonderful, why couldn’t Chris be back from his deliveries? Or any one of the other staff members that she knew well, who would certainly clear up the mistake immediately?
    She realised that Kaylee was staring at her, waiting for her to speak, not bothering to offer any form of greeting to start the conversation.
    ‘Hi,’ said Juliette. ‘I called earlier. My books were delivered this morning but it was the wrong order. I came to collect the correct ones.’
    Kaylee frowned. ‘Where are they?’ she asked.
    ‘Excuse me?’
    ‘Where are the books that you got. The ones that are wrong?’
    ‘Well, they’re back at my apartment.’
    ‘You’ll need to bring them in if you want to exchange them.’
    Juliette felt her shoulders tense. The only good thing about this altercation was that Kaylee’s irritating manner was bringing out Juliette’s more assertive side, stopping her from being too shy.
    ‘No,’ she said firmly, ‘it’s not an exchange. They’re not the books I ordered. You can have someone come and pick them up later. In the meantime, I want my books so that I can start reading.’
    Kaylee looked ready to argue with her further, but thankfully a voice exclaimed from behind.

    ‘Juliette, it’s so brilliant to see you here in the shop. You haven’t been in for such a long time!’
    Juliette swung around and sighed with relief. It was Suzanne. She would get everything straightened out immediately. Juliette would have her books and be out of the shop in minutes. She couldn’t help glancing back at Kaylee, and was pleased to see that she was looking suitably impressed by her boss’s enthusiasm for Juliette. She knew full well that Suzanne only reserved her (albeit fake) voice of delight for certain customers. Juliette threw a look of superiority at Kaylee and then turned her attention back to Suzanne.
    ‘Yes, I’m here because of a problem though. My book delivery—’
    Suzanne cut her off, ‘I know darling, I’m absolutely furious. Chris actually managed to mix up three different orders today, can you believe it? Yours is right back here. I’ll have Chris walk back with you and carry them inside for you. Give me just one moment.’
    Juliette smiled, this was exactly what she wanted – her problem fixed and to be on her way to the apartment as quickly as possible.
    Within two minutes, Suzanne had returned, Chris by her side holding Juliette’s new box of books, an apologetic look on his face.
    ‘Umm, they’re not really that heavy,’ said Juliette, ‘I could just take them back myself.’
    ‘Nonsense,’ said Suzanne. ‘I’m absolutely mortified that you had to come down here at all, chasing up your order. We must get together for a coffee some time, Juliette,’ she added, the suggestion holding as much sincerity as a casino owner wishing you the best of luck on your bet. Then she leaned in to kiss the air to the right of Juliette’s cheek, before turning and flouncing away.
    Juliette smiled politely at Chris. ‘Okay,’ she said with a shrug, ‘I guess you’re coming with me.’

    He followed her out of the store and she headed down the street, setting a brisk pace, glad that Chris seemed to be keeping up despite the box of books he was carrying.
    ‘Hey, I’m sorry about this,’ Chris said as they walked. ‘Just been getting over a bad summer cold. I think that’s why my brain’s been scattered.’
    ‘No worries. It’s all taken care of now.’
    She tried to keep a note of finality in her voice to avoid any further conversation as they continued to stride back towards her apartment block. It seemed to work – or perhaps he was just out of breath from trying to keep up with her. She supposed she shouldn’t really have kept walking so quickly, since he had said he was getting over