Page 33 of Bookworm

"She was," Natalia agreed, and I shot her a look. "But now, I have so many questions. Who was it?"

"Have we met him?" Casey asked.

"Why are you thinking about him now?"

"Does he play sports?"

"Is he nice?"

Casey sniffed. "Come on, Nat. This is Lottie we're talking about.Of course, he's nice."

"You're right," Natalia chuckled. "He's probably allsunshine, sweetness, and sparkles just like her."

I gave a mental laugh at the description.

Bo was definitely more shade, broodiness, and raindrops.

"Wait, wait. Is he real or fictional?" Casey asked suddenly.

Natalia cocked her head. "Good question. Most days, I actually prefer fictional men."

"Same, but I really wanted him to be someone we can meet."

"Me too."

With their eyes on me, I felt the need to respond but wasn't sure how.I was thinking about Bo Stryker—you know, the guy who worksat the flower shop across the street? The one who comes in, frowns at everybody, and checksout swoony romance books? The one who kissed me breathless the other day when you were both out sick?Yeah, I definitely wasn't opening that Pandora's box. In the end, I ended up giving an awkward shrug.

"It's okay, Lottie," Casey said and handed me a stack of books. "Why don't you take some time for yourself, maybe read a little? Nat and I will keep coming up with plans for the event."

Natalia smiled. "And when you come back,you can tell us your ideas. You alwayshave the best ones."

Nodding, I eagerly left to complete the task(and escape more questions about Bo). I knew the library like the back of my hand, so locatingthe right aisleswas easy. After that, Iwent about reshelvingeach and every book. Making sure the books made it home, placing them back where they belonged,was one of my favorite things.It was my version of therapy. Climbing the library ladder was also something I loved.Even with my five-foot-five frame, it allowed me to reach the highest shelves.I pushed the ladder into position, stepped up to the third rung, and replaced the final book.

A few others had somehow gotten unalphabetized, so I made sure they were in the proper place as well.

Once it was done, I smiled.

There.

Now, everything was perfect.

Contentment settled over me, and I wasn't ready to return to the front desk just yet. So, I took Casey's advice.Still on the ladder, I spotted a romance novel right at eye level, pulled it off the shelf, and opened to chapter one. Reading never failed me.Unlike people, books were reliable; they always provided a welcome escape.

And I needed that now.

As my eyes drifted over the pages, I thumbed through the book and became engrossed in the story.

Lady Sophie and the Duke ofWinchester were so deliciously wrong for each other. A once rich heiress turned servant girl out for revengepaired with the man who ruined her family andwho might also just be her soulmate? The chemistry was scorching,andthe banter fed my soul. Gah, it had everything.

And then I got to the kiss.

A stolen one.

In a library of all places.

Was it really any wonder I began picturing myself as Lady Sophie and Bo as the Duke?

He had always stared at her with contempt, disdain, or even worse, indifference.

---