Page 70 of The Bookbinder's Guide to Love

“Why else do you think I’m always trying to get in your pants?”

“My charm?”

She laughed. “You don’t always lead with that.”

“We can explore this topic later. We only have a two-hour time slot. Want to start on the left or the right?” he asked.

Since she stood on the right, she indicated she’d take that side. He nodded and they both went to search through the boxes of books. The estate sale management company had provided them labels to use for the books they wanted. Sera had set a budget for herself. Otherwise she’d probably be tempted to take out a loan and buy them all. The first hour went by quickly.

She’d found lots of good stock for the shop, and some weathered books she was pretty sure Wes could repair, which she stickered in case they ran out of time and he didn’t get to them. She also found a collection of Beatrix Potter books and remembered her client. Wes was helping her track down a copy of the specific book, but so far hadn’t found one. One was an early edition, fan folded book that had seen better days. She stickered it for Wes.

Sera knew some rudimentary book repairing skills, but that sad little volume needed Wes’s care. She’d enjoyed watching him work on repairing books at nights when they were home together.

She’d sit on one side of the kitchen table when they were at Ford’s old house and Wes on the other. She’d been cutting papers or making covers for journals. There was something soothing about being with him surrounded by the bookbinding work they both loved. And that was the only reason she’d even allowed herself to think about saying yes to his proposed trip to London.

Wes came over and noticed the book she’d stickered.

“This is for you. I don’t think we’re going to get through the room in two hours.”

“That’s what I was coming over to say. I’ve marked some things for you too. There was an entire box of old Western paperbacks that will be perfect for your shop.”

She smiled at him. “Thanks. I’ll keep working through this side, I guess.”

She bent down to place her sticker on the book and he patted her butt before he walked away.

Were they becoming a couple? Was this what it felt like to be in a relationship? She only knew she wanted to trust that this could last. That Wes was going to be here in the fall. But a part of her, that horrible inner voice she wished would go away, warned he might not. Reminded her that no one stayed in her life forever.

Especially men. Look at Ford.

She shook off those thoughts. She was coming with leading lady energy. She’d stood up to Wes when they first met. Negotiated this relationship with him. She was with Wes because she wanted to be with him.

Which was honestly the most terrifying thought she’d ever had. She had finally admitted she wanted him in her life forever.

And that excited her. She continued working through the boxes, and she and Wes only had one row left when the estate company staffer came to find them. Wes turned to the woman and smiled, asking her if they could have a few more minutes to look at the last row. She granted it since the next appointment was still up at the house looking at the bookcases, warning them they’d have to leave when he was done.

He wasn’t afraid to ask for what he wanted. Which of course she’d known from the beginning, but this time...she’d seen he wasn’t someone who accepted life as it came. He made it his own.

So maybe—no, definitely—he’d asked her to go to London in the fall because he wanted her there with him. That thought made her feel warm and fuzzy inside.

Wes arranged to have the books sent to a storage unit he’d rented in Birch Lake so they could sort them. But Sera kept the beat-up Beatrix Potter title and handed it to him when they got to the Range Rover.

Of course, as soon as she pulled it from her bag and handed it to him, he couldn’t help the feelings that washed over him. She was making it harder and harder to remind himself he was better on his own. He wanted to find a way to show her his feelings. He knew just saying the words would be best, but that wasn’t him.

So instead he took the book from her. “Thank you. I got one for you too.”

He pulled a copy ofThe Scarlet Pimpernelfrom his bag. It was a 1930 edition, hardcover, and inside it had an inscription.

May our love be as strong and true as Percy and Marguerite’s.

B.

She opened it and let out a soft “oh” as she read the inscription. He knew she’d love it, and she did. He watched as her curls fell forward, as she ran her finger over the faded ink. His gut tightened, and that word he was trying so hard not to say was right there.

Not now.

He couldn’t deal with those feelings. He wanted to simply exist in this sunny end-of-winter afternoon with Sera. Just existing was his sweet spot when it came to life. Until Sera proved he might enjoy having someone along for the ride.

“I love it. I wonder who B is?” she asked as they both got into his car. He turned toward her from behind the wheel.

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