Page 107 of Bookworm

"Good one. I'd probably pick Mercury—Ami is a powerhouse. Though I do love Serena."

"And she gets to be with Tuxedo Mask."

We both sighed on that one, and I knew I'd found a kindred spirit.

"Sorry if I was staring before," I said with a laugh."Usually, Mrs. Lee is right there when I walk in."

Mi-Cha gave a solemn nod. "Clocking your time?"

"Yep."

"Yeah, that's just Mrs. Lee," she said. "She had ameeting today but told me she'd be back before close."

I nodded, walking over to the window, gazing at it with awe.

"Did you do all this?" I asked.

"Yeah," she said with a smile. "I love art,so Mrs. Lee lets me come in every few weeks to do my thing. She even pays me."

"Yeah, I can see why." Her work was bright and beautiful,colorful swirls in all differentshades of lavender and plum with white highlights. It looked like real flowers hanging from the top of the window, cascading down, soft petals clinging to small vines. "Wisteria, right?"

She nodded."Ialso do roses, tulips, orchids, anything really."

"This is amazing, Meech," I said, turning my gaze back in timeto see her blush. "You're a wonderful artist."

"Thanks," she mumbled, "but I'm really not."

"How long did this take you?"

"Twenty minutes, give or take."

"Seriously?It takes me that long to dry my hair in the morning—andmost days it still turns out terrible."

A door slammed, and Bo came in from the back then, startling us both, with Shin following right on hisheels. They were carrying bags of what looked like soil. Bo had two and didn't seem to be struggling. In fact, I noticed he wasn't even wearing his brace. But Shin, whowas shouldering one, panted a bit as he dropped it to the floor.

"I still don't get whyHalmeoniwon't spring for more workers," he said.

"Because we can handle it," Bo said.

"Speak for yourself," Shin mumbled.

"And hiring people to do the manual labor would cost too much."

Bo had a point.

Labor (aka movers) didn't come cheap. I'd researched that very subjectfor weeks, hoping to find an option for A Night Out with Austen.Buteverything was so expensive.We'd planned to bring in tables, chairs, and various regency props to set the mood. The budget was at maximum capacity.Looked like my girls and I were in for some heavy lifting.

If only I had my fake boyfriend's physique, I thought, I'd be set.

My eyes betrayed me, latching onto him, watching the ripple of his biceps as he grabbed a towel to wipe dirt off his hands.

Hands that had held mine in a firm grip.

Solid.

Just like the rest of him.

A sigh escaped my lips.

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