Page 29 of Maid in Heaven

“Oh yeah? What’s she like to read?”

“She adores those little interactive choose your own adventurekindabooks? Remember those?”

“I used tolovethose.”

“They’re making a bit of a comeback.”

She smiled, remembering back to when she was a child, like a mouse in a maze, searching for the right ending. If only she could go back to thechapter before she married Daniel,and do it over again to make therightchoice…

“I recently just finished re-reading Journey to the Center of the Earth.”

“Oh God, I haven’t read that one since junior high.”

“I love the classics. Movies, too.”

“Pffft. You likeclassics?”

“Yeah.”

“Like… black-and-white movies?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Idon’tbelieve you.”

He chuckled. “Why?”

“You look like an action movie or sports drama kinda guy.”

“What?!”

“You’re buff as hell. You look like you haveFriday Night LightsandRudymemorized.”

“Rudy’s not bad, but it’s noCitizen Kane, that’s for damn sure.”

“YoulikeCitizen Kane?” Her tone was incredulous. She’d fully turned on her saddle stool to face him, body poised in disbelief against the bar.

“Yes. Why is that so unbelievable?”

She smiled. “Because I love classics, too.”

“What? No, you don’t.” He waved her away playfully. “You’re a double-feature ofLegally Blondefollowed byMiss Congenialitykinda woman.”

“I find that downright offensive,” she joked. “If I’m watching a double-feature, it’s going to be something likeManhattanfollowed byThe Last Picture Show. Or back-to-back Ingmar Bergman flicks.”

His eyes opened wide, stunned. “I don’t want to be crass, but now you’re just talking dirty to me.”

She laughed.

“Oooh, baby. Say Ingmar Bergman again, but, like, real slow and sensual, like you just did.”

The grin he flashed made her feel a rush of heat blast through her. “Alright, which is better?The Seventh SealorSmiles of a Summer Night?”

“Trick question. The answer isWild Strawberries.”

Ava gasped and clutched her chest. “Wow.”

“You alright over there?”

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