The Heart System

Chapter 864: Chapter 864

When Layla called me in for a date, I never would have imagined I’d end up spending most of it helping her organize a sex shop.

Yet here I was, standing in the middle of the store with a fifteen-inch dildo in my hand.

”There?” I asked, looking toward the shelf.

”Yep. You can put it there.”

I carefully placed it where she pointed, then stepped back to look at the shelf. It was finally starting to look organized instead of like someone had emptied half a warehouse into the store and walked away.

I wiped my brow and let out a tired breath. It had been a surprisingly exhausting day. Layla had needed help moving several boxes from the storage area, unpacking new merchandise, sorting everything by size and type, restocking the shelves, and rearranging some of the displays near the entrance. I’d also spent a good chunk of the afternoon carrying boxes that seemed to get heavier every time I picked one up.

At least I could finally sit down.

Layla was behind her desk, watching me with an amused smile. She was wearing a simple dress that fit comfortably around her pregnant belly, and I caught myself looking at her for a little longer than I should have. I quickly shook my head, realizing I’d been staring, then clapped my hands together.

”So, that’s it,” I announced. ”I have to say, best date ever.”

”Oh, I bet.” She chuckled. ”But seriously, thanks for helping. I couldn’t have done it without you. There was a discount on those dildos two days ago, and they sold out the same day.”

”Sold out?” I snapped my fingers. ”Oh, that reminds me. I bought you something.”

”Oh?”

”Yeah. Be right back.”

I walked outside and headed toward my car. After unlocking it, I grabbed the small bag sitting on the passenger seat and locked the car again before returning to the shop.

Once I was back inside, I reached into the bag and pulled out the small box.

”Nursing pads,” I explained as I handed it to her. ”I grabbed the last box they had. These should help with... you know, the milk coming in at inconvenient times.”

Layla stared at the box for a moment before looking back at me. ”Oh... thank you.” She sounded genuinely surprised. ”Wow. You really didn’t have to do that.”

”I was hoping it wasn’t creepy.” I walked closer to the desk and held it out to her. ”Here.”

”Thank you again.” She took the box and turned it over in her hands, examining it. ”I hope they’re soft.”

”Oh, they are. Don’t worry.” I nodded toward the packaging. ”It literally says it right there. Super soft.”

Layla looked at the box again and giggled. ”Oh, it really does.” She smiled as she placed it on the desk. ”Well, I can’t wait to try them.”

”Hmm.” I rubbed the back of my head. ”I, uh, should probably go. Thanks for the date. I think I actually lost some weight today. Definitely counts as a workout.”

”Mm.” She cleared her throat quietly before looking at me with a playful expression. ”Well, we should make sure these pads are working, though. Right?”

”Y-yeah?”

My eyebrows lifted, and I looked at her properly.

”Can you... help me put them on?”

I stared at her for a few seconds, completely caught off guard by the request. Layla had a small smile on her face as she sat behind the desk, watching me process what she’d just said.

After what felt like forever, although it was probably only five seconds, she suddenly burst out laughing. Damn. That had to be a joke. I had actually stopped and considered it seriously enough to make myself look like an idiot.

”You...” I shook my head and laughed. ”Yeah. Good one.”

Layla wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still smiling. ”I couldn’t resist.”

”Yeah. My poor heart.”

”But jokes aside, thank you.” Her expression softened as she looked at the box again. ”And I’m sorry I made you work so much today.”

”Ah, no problem.” I waved it off as I headed toward the door. ”It was actually fun. Just a lot more lifting than I expected from a date.”

She laughed. ”I’ll remember that next time.”

I opened the door and looked back at her. ”See you, Layla. Stay safe. You and that little baby.”

”We will!” She waved at me, still holding the box. ”Bye!”

I left the shop and headed straight for my car, slipping into the driver’s seat and letting out a heavy exhale. There wasn’t any work left at TechForge; the company was tied up in a massive meeting with Carrie, the board, and Nala, naturally. I had planned to relax and head home early... but fate had other plans. Apparently, arranging adult novelties on display shelves was how I was spending my afternoon.

Eh, no regrets. I helped Layla out, and that was more than enough. Plus, I managed to rake in five interest points from her. Not bad. If stacking sex toys was all it took to earn interest points, I’d gladly do it every day of the week.

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WOMEN - INTERACTIONS

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Jasmine: Interest: 40 / 60

Kayla: Interest: 38 / 40

Tessa: Interest: 40 / 60

Kim: Interest: 100 / 100

Delilah: Interest: 100 / 100

Cora: Interest: 100 / 100

Mendy: Interest: 24 / 40

Nala: Interest: 100 / 100

Penelope: Interest: 25 / 40

Minne: Interest: 38 / 40

Ivy: Interest: 25 / 80

Eleanor: Interest: 25 / 40

Amelia: Interest: 14 / 20

Esme: Interest: 72 / 80

Carrie: Interest: 4 / 20

Layla: Interest: 29 / 40

Emma: Interest: 20 / 40

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”Alright,” I muttered, buckling my seatbelt. ”Next stop... Cora.”

Hoping that I could talk some sense into her, calm her down a little bit, and, most importantly, avoid getting murdered in the process, I turned the ignition. The engine purred to life, doing little to soothe the knot tightening in my stomach.

Yeah... this was shaping up to be a thoroughly complicated day. A very, very complicated day.

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