Page 56 of The Luminosity of Loriana Harper

Whatever it was, she hid it well.

She offered what he thought of as a shy smile. “You ready to leave?”

“I am.” She slid from the booth and put on her coat.

He slid from the booth with his coat in his hands and slipped into it as well. He glanced outside. Hey, frost on the window pane. He put on his gloves.

As they wended their way back to the front, he put his hand to her lower back. An instinctual gesture, and one he didn’t necessarily recognize. He’d never done it before, but it felt right in this circumstance. He wasn’t laying claim to her—but he was putting her under his protection.

Except Loriana was possibly the woman least in need of his help.

And yet, for all her tough exterior, he sensed a vulnerability.

They waved to Sarabeth as they exited the restaurant. Loriana unlocked her car with the remote and they both hopped in as a blast of frigid air blew through.

“I haven’t checked—is there more snow expected in the forecast?” Mitch pulled his seat belt across his chest and buckled it.

Loriana blew a little puff of air. “I haven’t checked either.” She slanted him a glance. “I’ve been preoccupied.”

No missing what that look was for. He swallowed. “Thinking about me that much?”

She turned the engine on. “It’ll take just a moment to warm up.” While the car idled, she fluffed her hair, and then tapped the tip of her nose. “Are you coming over to my place, or am I going to yours?”

Bold.

But not unexpected. The entire night had been little touches. Light brushes. Sly glances.

Pretty remarkable that Marnie hadn’t picked up on it—hadn’t commented. Maybe she’d thought it impertinent to say something. On the other hand, he didn’t doubt for a moment that Loriana’d get an earful later. The younger librarian was reticent about expressing some things, yet had no problem speaking up on other occasions.

At least her skittishness around me is lessening.

Yes, there was that. He’d take that as a win.

Uh, I haven’t answered her.

“My place isn’t nearly as charming as yours. Think utilitarian. Plus, won’t Plato have missed you?”

She snorted. “He’ll be pissed at having missed dinner. Other than that? No, he’s good.”

Note, that hadn’t actually resolved the issue. “Seriously, my place is boring. Your place holds charm.”

“It’s cluttered.”

He thought back to the nice little house. “It’s where I’d choose to live, if I had a choice.”

She eyed him. “Mission City real estate prices are getting ridiculous. We used to be a cheaper alternative, but not anymore. My place has shot up in value. Not that I ever plan to sell. No, I did nicely.”

“You have a great place. Cozy.” It held many of the same attributes as his childhood home when his mother’d been alive.

“Cozy it is, I guess.” She put the car in gear, checked over her shoulder, and backed out of the space. Soon she turned onto Railway Avenue. Within moments, she was climbing the James Street hill to take them to her house.

He glanced at his condo as they passed it. Would it ever feel like home?

Eventually.

Right?

God, he hoped so. Fifty years was a long time to live in a place and not feel like he belonged.

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