Page 51 of Austen Persuaded

How did I fail so spectacularly at marketing this simple FREE thing?

Finally, at 7:04, people started streaming in, some with coffees or other drinks purchased from the cafe. Most didn’t even ask if this was the book club; they just took a seat in the circle. I exhaled in relief and gazed around at the diversity of people in attendance. Only one man though. Well, more of a boy, actually. He looked about Sai’s age.

Speaking of Sai, where is she?

I spotted her off to the side, her eyes darting between her phone and the young man. Very interesting. A crush?Then shedisappeared.

As people filled in the seats, my smile widened. I decided to go in search of Sai and more chairs. But first, I introduced myself quickly to those gathered and told them I’d return soon.

I found Sai lingering in the back room where the extra chairs were stored. “Sai, what are you doing? You disappeared rather mysteriously. And now you’re just standing around?”

Sai glared at me. “I’m not … I … the chairs.” As her voice faltered, her eyes went downcast, and she mumbled, “Sorry. Just got distracted.”

I narrowed my eyes but softened my tone. “It’s OK. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine!” she snapped, her old fire returning.

“OK then. Let’s bring out some more chairs. Lots of people have shown up. I’m so excited!”

Sai rolled her eyes but helped me grab as many chairs as we could. When we returned, I asked her to fix the chair arrangement because I’d forgotten my contact sheet and needed to retrieve it from the back office. Hakeem had wanted me to pass along a sheet so everyone could sign up for the bookstore’s email list.

Contact sheet in hand, I was walking along a row of bookshelves close to the book club circle when suddenly my heart caught in my throat, and my feet stopped moving.

It can’t be.

That’s … that’s …

My chest felt tight as I tried to breathe and form a coherent thought.

What … is … he … doing here?

I guess he’s buying books.

He’s by the circle. My circle.

No, not the book club. NOT MY BOOK CLUB!

Why is he so damn attractive? I’m not the only one staring at him.

Oh no. I’m …

Staring.

At him.

And he’s watching me stare at him.

Besides my bulging wide eyes, I couldn’t imagine what awful expression he was seeing on my face at that moment.

Deer in the headlights? Hungry like a wolf? Lovestruck like an …

In panic, I dropped to the floor and pretended to search through the books on the lowest shelf. I prayed no one would come over and see that they were pregnancy books. Taking some deep breaths as best as I could while crouched down, I tried to calm myself and think through the haze.

Most people were likely looking at him, not at me. I can just grab one of these books and then casually walk over, like it’s no big deal, probably. Maybe.

I can say the book is for a friend. Or—

I inhaled softly.

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