Page 43 of Accidentally Yours
Paige took another sip to hide her blush. Also to stop the irrational urge to ask if she could keep it. Maybe she could sleep in it every night?
They sat in silence for a long moment, soft and sweet, before Ethan took a sip of his coffee and glanced toward the window. “Beautiful sunrise this morning.”
“I need a better look,” she said, rising to her feet and stretching.
Ethan stood with her. Queenie gave a disgruntled snort, but didn’t follow as they crossed the room to the tall window on the opposite side of his desk.
Outside, the city was stirring—trains clattering in the distance, early risers heading to work, the sky painted with streaks of pink and tangerine. From here, buildings and rooftops stretched in every direction, steel and glass catching the light, reflecting the morning like it was made of gold.
“Wow,” Paige breathed, taking it all in, including the beautifully rumpled man standing beside her. This was . . . nice.
But then something else caught her eye and made her breath hitch.
Just a few blocks away, the familiar silhouette of the Harold Washington Library stood out from the skyline, along with its distinctive mint-green roof. Paige was no stranger to the library, but from this angle, in this light—it looked different. The glass dome atop the building caught the rising sun, glowing like a lantern in the dawn.
A dome that catches light.
“Oh my gosh,” she whispered, as a piece of the riddle clicked into place.
Ethan glanced at her. “What?”
She pointed. “The library. The dome. That could be it.”
He followed her gaze, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Beneath the dome that catches light . . .”
Her heartbeat quickened—maybe it was the view, the clue, or even the caffeine. But Paige was pretty sure it had more to do with how Ethan was looking at her, taking her in. He scanned her with a slow, growing smile. Like he knew she was right. Like he was in awe of her. And suddenly Paige wasn’t thinking about the riddle or domes or, frankly, anything but Ethan.
She grinned back at him.
This was so easy. Being here with him. What would it be like to wake up like this every morning—with coffee, and wrapped in his warm sweatshirt? With someone who looked at her like she mattered?
In what alternate universe could this be real?
The scent of basil and garlic wrapped around Paige like a hug as she smoothed the red-and-white-checkered tablecloth covering the table at the front of Gigi’s market tent. Alice helped her situate it just perfectly and then added mason jars for silverware and napkins. At the back of the booth, Gigi and her boyfriend, Harris, were unloading crates of pre-made pasta dinners, placing them into coolers.
It was a beautiful day to be outside. Around them, the Saturday morning buzz of the farmer’s market was in full swing—fresh-cut flowers, golden sun hitting rows of produce, and a hundred conversations layered over each other like Gigi’s delicious lasagna. The scent of sun-warmed tomatoes drifted over from the next stall, mingling with the sweetness of kettle corn and powdered funnel cakes.
“How much more did you make than last week?” Alice asked Gigi, as she filled the mason jars with plastic silverware.
“Twenty percent more spaghetti,” Gigi said, opening another cooler as Harris unloaded a crate from the dolly. “And thirty percent more cannoli.”
“I still think you’ll sell out,” Harris said, flashing her a warm smile. “Everyone raved about both last weekend. You sold out by noon.”
Gigi gave a satisfied shrug and smiled back. “Then I’ll be done early, and I’ll have more time to get ready for dinner. You sure I can’t bring anything? You know I’d love to.”
Harris shook his head. “Dean is grilling, Dad’s bringing the wine, and I’m making a charcuterie board.”
Gigi went up on her toes and kissed Harris on the cheek. “Can’t wait. We’re leaving for your brother’s at five?”
“Yep. We’ll pick up Nonna on the way,” Harris replied, referring to Gigi’s grandma. Then he unloaded the last carton before taking hold of Gigi’s waist and pulling her to him for a kiss that almost made Paige blush.
“You two are disgustingly cute,” Paige said, teasing. They pulled back from their kiss and smirked at her.
Gigi and Harris were perfect for each other. And Paige loved that Gigi and her grandma had become so close to Harris’s family. She was happy for her friend, and wouldn’t be surprised if Harris got down on a knee before the end of the year. Actually, she hoped he would.
“You sure you don’t need me to stay and help?” Harris asked Gigi, reluctantly letting her go.
Gigi shooed him off. “No, go. I’ve got plenty of help. Go, watch your nephew’s baseball game, and make sure he knows I’ll be at the next one.”
