Page 22 of You Can't Fight Lightning
But I kept sneaking looks at him. He was like a magnet, and I was a bar of iron that couldn’t keep a safe distance. Although I doubted that iron was a death knell for the magnet.
When his food was ready, I brought it over.
Z was bent over a book, reading. His hand fiddled with the straw from his drink, and he barely even noticed when I slid the bowl next to him.
“What else do you need?”
He looked up, turning the book over on the bar, then at the food. “That smells delicious. Thank you.”
“What are you reading?” I peered at the book, tilting my head to get a better look at the title.
It had a woman in a flowing blue dress on the cover. She held a bouquet of flowers.
“Once Upon a Marquess?” I looked at him.
His cheeks were definitely red.
“What sort of research is this?” I’d read the book—all the books in the series, in fact. The entire series was fantastic. The author, Courtney Milan, was a wonderful writer, who was inclusive and believed in true love for all people. I loved that, even if I wasn’t one of those people.
Z mumbled some words, his head bent over the bowl of chili.
I recognized the signs and left him alone. He was clearly in the middle of Something. Like, a big Something.
That’s what my mother had called it when you were stewing in your thoughts, trying to puzzle things out. A big Something. I had long ago puzzled out my issues. But that didn’t mean I didn’t love or believe in romance.
Just not for me.
I couldn’t keep away from where he sat, however, engrossed in the book. “She’s a great writer. You should read the whole series.”
I was gratified to see his eyes fly to mine, and widen in obvious surprise. What, I didn’t look like the kind of woman who read romance? I felt like I should be offended, but I wasn’t. After all, I was the one who’d sworn off romance. I’d turned down his offer of a date.
I kept my eye on him. When he finished the chili, I took the bowl. He didn’t even look up.
“Hey, Z?”
He looked at me then, the question in his eyes. Along with a little irritation.
I didn’t laugh. That meant he was at one of the good parts of the book.
“Over there? In the corner?” I pointed to a corner beyond the pool tables.
He glanced behind him and then nodded at me.
“There’s a bookshelf. We trade out books here. You should read some. The ones with the really ratty covers are the best. Best sex, best romance, best cheesy romance… there're all sorts. If that’s the research you’re doing.” I kept my face neutral.
“Thank you.” His words were stiff.
“My pleasure.” I gave him a big grin, giving up on trying to be neutral. My first smile of the evening. God, I would love to know what sort of research included romance series. I saw him a bit later, standing in front of our bookshelf, his head tilted.
He had a great ass.
“That is one fine looking man. Front and back.” Loretta breezed by. “Nicest I’ve seen in a long time.”
“Thanks, Loretta.” I didn’t even bother giving her any pushback.
Z left before my shift was over that night, and I found that I wished he’d stayed.
Which was why it was better that he left.
