Page 55 of Falling for Them

“We’re going to a bookstore?” Either way, I was excited he’d brought me to a place I loved. I mean, who wouldn’t want to go to a bookstore and browse all the pretty books?

“Of course, unless you’d like to go somewhere else.”

We stopped inside the entrance, and he pulled me to him, kissing me gently. “Anything you can fit in a basket is yours.”

I stared at him, mouth agape. “Are you serious?”

He nodded, his smile widening. “Absolutely.”

“Books are expensive, and-”

He cut me off with another kiss. “Libby, I think I can handle a basket of books.”

“Are you sure? I don’t think you understand how quickly the total can get out of control.” I didn’t want to pick out a bunch of books and have his eyeballs pop out at the register.

He grabbed a basket and handed it to me. “Go, princess.”

With a giddy laugh, I took the basket and made a beeline for the romance section. This was like being a kid in a candy store, except so much better.

I started pulling books off the shelves, barely containing my excitement. The latest release from my favorite author? In thebasket. That enemies-to-lovers story I’d been eyeing for weeks? Definitely in. The omegaverse romance everyone had been raving about? You bet that made the cut.

Leo was wandering nearby, picking up books and reading their back covers. The sight of him with a book in his hands, sleeves rolled up, and tie loosened, made me want to find a dark corner and thank him.

He looked up, put the book he was holding back on the shelf, and walked toward me. “What’s that look for?”

“Nothing. Was just writing a naughty bookstore fantasy in my head.”

Leo raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Here, let me carry the basket.”

“Thanks.” Our fingers brushed as he took the basket from me, and it sent tingles up my arm. With that brought mixed feelings about what we were even doing on a date. I knew at some point I needed to bring it up. “So… are you actually serious about dating Ethan too?”

He looked surprised at my question. “I wouldn’t have made a fool of myself asking you both out if I wasn’t.”

“But you two don’t get along.” It seemed they had both forgotten how they were at each other’s throats.

“He has a lot of reasons not to like me, but I don’t have any to not like him. I figure that’s a start, and it helps that you are open to trying this.” He leaned in and kissed my cheek. “You’re an amazing woman.”

I took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to voice my concerns. “I’m glad you’re open to this, but I’m not sure how it’s all going to work.”

Leo set the basket down at his feet and gave me his full attention. “What’s worrying you?”

“Ethan and I have gone from friends to more than so quickly, and it’s amazing, but it’s also a big change. I’m worried abouthow bringing someone else into the mix might affect that, especially with the dynamic between you two already.”

He nodded, his expression thoughtful. “That’s understandable. It’s a lot of change all at once on top of moving and starting a new job.”

“Yeah.” I was relieved that he seemed to get it. “But I do feel better knowing that Ethan agreed to go on a date with you. It makes me think maybe this crazy idea could actually work.”

A small smile played on Leo’s lips. “I’m glad to hear that. I promise I’ll do my best to make it work.”

“Oh, you better. And let me tell you something, mister.” I poked him playfully in the chest. “You better have a damn good date planned for Ethan. He has high standards for who he lets into his heart. He doesn’t want some polished, perfect version of you either. He wants to see the real Leo.”

He looked more than a little nervous. “And what if the real Leo is a disaster?”

“There’s nothing wrong with being a disaster sometimes. Be yourself. If you remember that, Ethan will come around.”

And I really hoped he would.

Chapter 20

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