Page 14 of The Library of Second Chances
Lucy walked over to the counter, grabbed a book, and tossed it to Taylor.
When Taylor read the title, she laughed. It was a book about how to think like a military leader by a marine general. “You’re like the mad hatter.”
Lucy narrowed her eyes, her brows knitting together. “The mad hatter?”Alice’s Adventures in Wonderlandwas one of her favorite books—it was why the other store cat was called Alice—but she didn’t understand the comparison.
“Yeah, the mad hatter had all those hats and he’d put one on and transform into a character that matched the hat. That’s how you are when you read.” Taylor stood and handed the book back to Lucy. “I can always tell what kind of mood you’re in by what you’re reading.” She winked at Lucy.
“You know what they say, a book a day keeps your problems at bay.”
Taylor laughed. “Who says that?”
“I do.”
“Of course you do. You should get that printed on a bookmark or something. It’s cute. Just don’t read a book on archery or marksmanship or something next. I’m confident you can take him in a war of words.” Taylor smiled and gave Lucy a quick hug. “I’ve gotta run. Poor Jack can’t even drive himself to physical therapy this morning his knee is so swollen. I’ll call you later.”
As she watched her best friend walk out the door, Lucy picked up the book by the marine general and took it back to the counter. The email from Leona was still open on her desktop. She closed the window and wondered how to tell her agent she wasn’t going to write another book and put herself through being rejected all over again. She also wasn’t sure she could bring herself to tell Leona she didn’t really need a literary agent anymore. It was the one part of the journey where she’d been successful—only a small percentage of authors made it out of theslush pile and were offered representation—and she’d clung to that small success.
She’d read the terms of her contract with Leona over and over, and it said either of them could terminate the relationship with thirty days’ notice, otherwise it would continue renewing annually. For now, at least, she could tell people she had a literary agent when they asked about her writing. She didn’t have to tell them she didn’t think she had another book in her.
Seven
Lucy
When Lucy exited the bookstore to try to catch Bob before she had to open for the day, she nearly ran into Logan. She smelled his dreamy cologne even before she looked up to register who it was.
“You’re here early.” He gave a small smile as he backed away to put some distance between them. With his leather messenger bag slung across his body, he looked more like a bike courier than a slick salesman today. “You were on my list for later today, but there’s no time like the present. I think we got off on the wrong foot.”
Lucy frowned, backing up another step to try to avoid his intoxicating scent clouding her thoughts. “Are you just going to be everywhere I go from now on?”
“Well, it is a small town.” He held out his hands and shrugged, looking around as if to say there was nowhere else for him to be.
“Yeah, what do you know about small towns?” Lucy crossed her arms. “Isn’t this a big step down for you? We’re not exactly Phoenix or St. Louis.”
“Ever heard of Berlin, Wisconsin?”
“No.”
“It’s never heard of you either.” He laughed.
Lucy stared back at him.
“Just something funny my friends and I used to say. Basically, it’s in the middle of Wisconsin. Population of about five and a half thousand. It also happens to be my hometown.”
Lucy was surprised. She’d imagined Logan had grown up in a high-rise in Manhattan or Chicago or some other big city. She could hear Annie reminding her not to judge a book by its cover.
“Interesting. Why’d you leave?” She already knew the answer. Greener pastures and all. That was what everyone who left Heron Isle said.
“I wanted to get out and see the world.” He shrugged. “I went to undergrad at USC and then law school at NYU.”
Lucy huffed. Of course, Los Angeles and New York. Figured.
“What about you?” His eyes were fixed on hers. “Did you ever leave Heron Isle?”
“Yes, of course I left Heron Isle.” Lucy rolled her eyes. She might not have traveled the world, but she hadn’t remained on the twelve-square-mile island her entire life. “I went to the University of Florida over in Gainesville and then I worked in Ocala just south of there for a few years.”
She’d never been ashamed of living in Florida her entire life—she loved her state—but she figured he must think her life was small compared to his. He’d lived in virtually every region of the country by the sound of it.
“A Floridian through and through.” He smiled, his single dimple in full display.
