Beautifully Hurt (Beautifully Broken)

Eli’s family bought the hardware store when Joshua retired, and renamed it Jackson’s Hardware. So, I’m able to continue my drooling over the oldest Jackson brother without him knowing.

The Jackson’s live on the outskirts of Southport. Even though they like to keep to themselves, there’s not a single person in our coastal town who doesn’t know who they are.

Eli and his younger brother, Ethan, both take after their father. Everyone knows not to look for trouble with them. Their mother’s quiet, but whenever our paths cross, she’s always friendly.

A smile curves my mouth as Eli steps out of the hardware store. He leans back against the wall and glances up the road.

Again… sigh.

His over six-foot, muscled body has featured in many of my fantasies. But his eyes… God, his baby blues render me speechless.

Eli’s head turns in my direction, and I almost knock a vase from the display shelf as I pretend to make some adjustments to an arrangement of red roses.

My breathing’s instantly out of control while my cheeks go up in flames. My poor heart’s beating a mile a minute.

I let out a soft chuckle at how silly I’m being.

The doorbell jingles, and glancing up, pins and needles rush over my skin while my eyes widen.

Baby Jesus in a manger.

“Hey,” Eli says, his voice low and deliciously deep.

I lift a hand and wave lamely at him, unable to open my mouth.

He’s here.

In front of me.

Holy crap.

My heart leaps to my throat, effectively disabling my vocal cords. My eyes devour every solid inch of him, and damn if he doesn’t look hot in his worn blue jeans and a black t-shirt.

Eli glances at the flowers. “Do you have any peonies?”

With my voice still missing in action, I nod before rushing to the back room where we keep most of our stock. Picking up a bundle of yellow peonies and a bouquet of pink ones, I will my heart to slow down.

Calm down, Quinn. Be cool.

The smile strains nervously around my lips as I head back to the front of the store. Eli’s eyes lock on mine, and they’re so freaking intense there’s no way on God’s green earth I’m going to get a word out.

Like an idiot, I just hold up the selection of peonies, and it draws his gaze to the flowers. “The yellow ones, please,” he murmurs.

I nod and quickly place the pink flowers in water before wrapping the yellow one’s up in paper. I ring the amount up, and then my eyes widen slightly.

Crap.

Freaking talk, Quinn.

I clear my throat, and keeping my gaze on the flowers, I say, “That’ll be thirty dollars.”

Eli hands me the cash, and taking hold of his purchase, he tilts his head to catch my eyes. The moment mine lock with his baby blues, my mouth grows dry, and my heart goes from racing to thundering against my ribs.

“Thanks, Quinn,” he says, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly in a way too hot grin.

That’s it. I can die happy now.

“You’re welcome,” I reply, my voice soft but strained.

You’re so freaking welcome. Please come again.

Eli’s eyes linger on me for a couple of seconds, enough time to make the world stop spinning, and then he walks out of the store.

I suck in a desperate breath of air, and placing my hand over my heart, I stare dreamily at his retreating broad back.

Nina, Eli’s mom, pulls up to the Jackson’s Hardware, and I watch as Eli wraps her in a hug before giving her the flowers. Nina smiles happily at her eldest, and then they talk as they head inside their store.

God, is there anything more perfect on this planet than Eli Jackson?

Katie comes in, and when she places my vanilla latte down in front of me, she teases, “Someone saw Eli.”

“Better,” I say, grinning widely. “Eli came in to buy peonies for Nina.”

Katie’s eyebrows shoot up. “You actually spoke to him?”

Pulling a disgruntled face, I pick up my latte. “No, my voice decided to stop working again.”

Katie comes around the counter and gives me a sideways hug. “Don’t worry, you’ll get another chance.”

“Which won’t help if I can’t bring myself to talk to him.” I roll my eyes. “He must think I’m a naïve little girl.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t,” Katie tries to comfort me.

I take a sip of my latte, then shrug. “I’ll just admire him from a safe distance. Eli’s way too much man for me.”

A burst of laughter from Katie has me glaring at her.

“He’s too much man for any woman in this town,” she states.

I let out a sigh. “If only dreams came true.”

Katie heads to the back room, then calls out, “We should grab a drink after work. You need to get out more.”

“I get out plenty.” I walk to the doorway between the front and back so I can see Katie, where she’s taken a seat at her desk. “But a drink sounds good.”