Page 25 of Firefly Effect

Looking back at Lucy, I kneel to match her height. “Do you like books, Lucy?”

Her big blue eyes shine brilliantly as she nods.

“What kind of books?”

She just stares at me as if she isn’t sure how to answer.

“Can I show you some of my favorites? I think you might love them.”

Again, she nods but doesn’t say a word, her eyes fixed on mine. I stand and hold my hand out. Lucy takes it without an ounce of hesitation, melting my heart with one touch.

Francine gestures for us to go on without her. “I think I’ll take a look at your menu.”

I make eye contact with Kyle and send him a silent message—take care of my friend. He nods in return, an understanding and a promise.

Then I turn my full attention back to Lucy and grin. “All right, let’s go.”

The girl follows me to the other end of the room to a nook with bench seating and a corner bookshelf behind it. I pull out a handful of classic fairytale books and scatter them on the table for Lucy to see. She immediately grabs Sleeping Beauty then pushes it into my hands.

“Read, please.” She tilts her head sweetly, like she knows exactly how irresistible the move is.

I smile. “My pleasure.”

Lucy curls up next to me while I read the book to her, playing up the accents and voices like I’m in my own theater production and Lucy is the only audience member. She seems riveted, her eyes glued to the illustrations as I turn each page.

We’re halfway through the next story when Lucy’s little voice squeals with delight.

“Daddy!”

I look up to find Lincoln approaching our table and sinking down beside his daughter so she’s sandwiched between us.

“Hey there, sweetie.” He wraps an arm around her small body and kisses the top of her head. “Whatcha reading?”

Lucy steals the book from my hands, causing Lincoln and me to laugh. “This one, Daddy. Ariel the mermaid and Eric the prince!”

Lincoln’s amused eyes meet mine and linger. “Who would have known you had kids’ books tucked away in this small corner?”

I smile back into his deep-emerald gaze. “You wouldn’t know it by the looks of it, but Firefly is a family establishment. All ages are welcome.”

“Well,” Lincoln says, taking the book in both hands. “Thank you for helping Lucy find her happy place. She loves books.”

“My motive was entirely selfish, I assure you. Books are my happy place too.”

“Good to know.”

The way he says those three words, like he’s keeping a mental note for later, creates a fluttering effect in my chest. I push my way out of the booth to give the father and daughter some privacy and make my way to where Francine was mingling with Kyle at the bar.

“Did you know your friend here was a burlesque dancer back in Chicago?” Kyle asks as I approach.

Francine waves a hand like he’s giving her too much credit. “In the seventies, darling. It’s been a lifetime since then.”

Kyle points at her as he starts toward the other side of the bar, where one of our regulars just sat down. “I bet you’ve still got it, Francine.” He pretends to tip an invisible hat as he grins.

“Hardly,” Francine mutters, but she smiles at me. “My daughter was a much better performer than me. Unfortunately, North Carolina wasn’t the best place to develop talent like hers. She gave up on theater after high school graduation, then she always wondered—what if?”

I lean my elbows against the counter, heart heavy after hearing the story. “That’s so sad.”

“You’re telling me.” Her eyes flicker from her hot tea to the bottle of Tennessee Fire on the counter. “Can I try some of that?”

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