Page 25 of Love By the Book
As I reach my apartment, I realize I’m still smiling. Whatever happens tonight, one thing’s for certain—this experiment is already changing me. And I think I like it.
That is, until I open my closet and the reality of the situation hits me like a ton of leather-bound books.
What does one wear to a karaoke bar?
I stare at my wardrobe, a sea of muted colors and sensible fabrics, and feel a wave of panic. The tweed jackets and button-down shirts that usually bring me comfort now seem to mock me.
“Come on, Lancaster,” I mutter to myself, rifling through hangers. “You can identify a 15th-century manuscript at twenty paces, surely you can find something to wear to a bar.”
I pull out a sweater, then immediately stuff it back in. Too librarian. A suit jacket? Too formal. A t-shirt with ‘I’d rather be reading’ printed on it—a gag gift from Piper—is quickly discarded.
In desperation, I call my sister.
“Pipes, help. What does one wear to a karaoke bar?”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, then an eruption of laughter. “Oh, Brubba,” she wheezes, “please tell me you’re not planning to show up in a bow tie and loafers.”
“Of course not,” I lie, kicking said loafers under the bed.
Fifteen minutes and much sisterly teasing later, I’m dressed in dark jeans, a navy button-down with the sleeves rolled up, and the least professor-like shoes I own.
As I give myself a final once-over in the mirror, I shake my head. All this fuss over clothes, and for what? It’s not like this is a date. It’s just a night out with Rhianna and her friends. Rhianna, who probably isn’t giving a second thought to what I’ll be wearing.
I take a deep breath. It’s just karaoke, just a night withfriends.You can do this, Lancaster.It’s then that I realize I’ve started calling myself by my last name the way Rhianna does.
As I head out the door, I grin. Rhianna Wilder has already changed how I dress, how I spend my evenings, and even how I talk to myself. I wonder as a cool ocean breeze reaches me what else she might change before this adventure is over with.
Rhianna
The Tipsy Mermaidbuzzes tonight, all neon lights and laughter. I’m nestled in our usual booth, sandwiched between Alex and Rachel, when I spot him: Eli Lancaster looking like he’s walked straight out of a J. Crew catalog.
I wiggle my way out of the booth and wave him over. “Well, well, well, Lancaster, look at you all dressed up.”
Eli’s smile falters but then his eyes skim over me. “You as well.”
I scoff at my shimmering sea-foam colored top and jeans. His gaze lingers on my bare shoulders a moment before jumping back up to my eyes. I smile and grab his arm to weave him through the crowded room. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
As the rest of our crew files in, I rattle off names, but I can’t help but notice how Violet’s eyes linger on Eli a beat too long. Something twists in my stomach. And I use the rest of my brainpower to convince myself it’s just the questionable package of cookies I munched on as I got dressed earlier. Still, I focus with my magic—just enough to check. It’s with a quiet flood of relief that I can tell their energies don’t match atall.
Violet is fire and precision. Eli’s energy is more reserved than I’d realized—quiet in a way I wouldn’t have noticed if not for the contrast.
Definitely not a match.
Not like… well.
I shove that thought down before it can finish forming.
Eli slides into the booth next to me and shakes Tom and Grant’s hands. His smile is smooth, his countenance relaxed, but I understand what he meant about his date now. He’s so quiet, scarcely giving single word answers to questions the group peppers him with.
“Ethan didn’t want to come out tonight?” I ask Alex, trying to divert attention from Eli and also distract myself from the way his knee rests against mine.
Alex shakes her head. “You know baker’s hours. He says he can’t manage on three hours of sleep anymore.”
“But Zoe is here!” I whine playfully, gesturing to our resident firecracker who has braided her hair into a French crown and donned shimmering emerald lipstick.
Zoe grins and wraps an arm around Mia’s shoulders. “That’s because fun is always the priority over sleep. Tomorrow-Zoe will hate me, but tonight-Zoe plans to sing her heart out. Besides, Mia can sleep in for the both of us.”
Mia rolls her eyes affectionately. “She acts like the bookstore doesn’t also open early.”
