Page 32 of Austen Persuaded

We were all silent for a while. Finally, Joel asked, “Something in publishing?”

“I really don’t know … maybe.”

“Just tell me you won’t be a cashier at the bookstore,” Rafael said, waving his hand imperiously. “You can’t gothatentry level.”

My eyes widened ever so slowly as the idea took hold.

Yes!

The voice inside was quiet but firm. I took another sip of iced tea. “Hold up. I like that idea, Raf. Don’t be a snob. What’s wrong with working the bookstore counter? I could learn more about book sales. You’re right that it’s entry level, almost likepre-entry level, but I’m fine with that. Everyone has to start somewhere.”

Rafael’s nose wrinkled in distaste, and Joel nudged him. “Hey, she’s right. Don’t be a snob, love.” Then he turned toward me with an encouraging smile. “I think it’s a great idea if that interests you!”

Rafael sighed. “All right, sorry, it’s snobbish, you’re right. I just have such grand plans and dreams for you, girl. But everyone has to start somewhere, or so the cliché goes.” He clasped my hands, pulling them across the table towards him. “You’ll be amazing at this, and before you know it, you’ll be running the place. Or, like, starting your own.”

With a playful tilt of my head, I flashed a brilliant smile at him and then Joel. “Oh, heck yes.”

“Bye, Fatima!” I called out to the receptionist while swinging the door open to leave. I’d just finished teaching a grueling advanced ballet class, and for the second time this week, I felt chastened that I was far more out of breath than the teens in this class. I was heading home to shower because even though Rafael’s studio had a shower that the teachers and a select few dancers could use, I much preferred bathing in my own home. Besides, it wasn’t a long walk home,maybe a mile.

I slid my sunglasses over my eyes and felt an ache in my legs, so I stopped to do a quick quad stretch. Once I started walking in the direction of home, my mind started drifting to Rafael’s happy news. Despite sharing a love of dance, not to mention talent, he and Joel were so different. Sometimes it was hard to see how they’d found love, but I was so glad they had. Rafael deserved that. So did Rainn, and I hoped that he’d find it someday.

A pang of guilt stabbed me in the chest as I remembered how I’d refused to help with the wedding planning. Not my kindest moment, but Rafael deserved the best and more, including from me. I resolved to talk to Rainn later that night to see how we could help Rafael with the wedding. I didn’t know a thing about wedding planning, but I’d thrown many amazing parties, so surely that would count for something.

With a self-satisfied smile, I started to round the corner at the end of the block.

I’ll plan the most gorgeous wedding, and they—

The upper half of my body slammed into something solid, unforgivably hard, and then it bounced back, and so did I.

Trying to catch my breath, I glanced upward with wide eyes at the thing—no, the person—I’d collided with. Upward because he was tall. And panting, just like me. As my eyes traveled upward above his wide neck, a slightly tingly feeling pulsed through me. I noted first his strong set jaw, covered in at least a few days’ worth of stubble, and his tanned skin, complementing his head of short, dirty blond hair. He wore a winter hat pulled low over his eyebrows, almost concealing his eyes, whose color was in shadow.

“I’m sorry,” I managed, still out of breath, putting my hand on my heart. “I was a little lost in thought.”

As soon as I started speaking, the man froze in place, his full lips open slightly as if he’d been about to speak. Then, before I could blink, he mumbled a curt apology and brushed past me.

I’d never seen a man run away from me so fast.

Or at all, actually.

What the …

I turned to stare at him as he speedwalked away. Sure, I was a little sweaty from dance class and maybe not looking amazing, but surely I didn’t look horrific.

Ignoring the tight feeling in my chest, I shrugged, about to turn back and continue on my way when I saw his steps slow, and he turned around.

Time … stopped.

It can’t be.

I’d know those steel-grey eyes anywhere.

Kylan.

This time, with his face out of the shadows, I could see his features more clearly even though he was farther away. The full lips I’d kissed, so many times. The fluff of hair at his neck that I’d always liked running my fingers through. The nose he thought was too big. The eyes … I could drown in their beauty, shining with the love he’d had for me.

Past tense.

Oh,Kylan.

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