Page 7 of Lordes

You. You. I’m looking for you.She didn’t mull over my name. That never happens.

“Uh, I’m here for a book.” My mind went blank.

“I thought so. What genre?”

“I think it’s an autobiography or it could be a memoir.”

“Okay, follow me.” She started her journey across the store to the left and a little further back in the corner. I was on her heels and checking her out from behind because I was a man with excellent vision and certain needs. I was caught off guard when she whipped around and faced me. Her curls bounced on her shoulders. “This is the right section, I hope.”

“I think so.” I replied without bothering to look at anything other than her beautiful face.

“Are you looking for a specific person, historical figure, athletic, celebrity?”

“Yes, I am, Will Smith.” The reason I was inside the bookstore in the first place was coming back to me in tiny increments.

“Okay, Will Smith.” Her hand touched the table beside her and she lifted a book off the table for me to view. “Is this the book?”

I looked down at the book as she presented to me. “Yes, this is it.” I took the book in my hands, same image Gram sent to my cell.

“Is there anything else you’re looking for today?”

You. You. I’m looking for you.“I don’t know. What are you offering Labria?”

She was taken aback by my forwardness. “I’m offering books, magazines, a few games and a small selection of toys.” She grinned. She found me amusing or charming. I would take either.

I hoped she would offer her body but I could never be that lucky. She didn’t appear to be the type. I wouldn’t call her conservative but she definitely had an air of I deserve to be treated like a queen.

“I need three more books, the Will Smith books.”

“I same book?”

“Yes, the same book.”

“You really like Will Smith.” She gazed at me. She probably thought I was gay.

“It’s for a book club.” I explained but she probably didn’t believe me.

“Nice, you’re in a book club.”

“No, it’s not my book club. It’s my grandmothers book club.”

“Your grandmother has excellent taste in books. This is a New York Times bestseller.”

“She’s a voracious reader.”

She stacked three additional books on top of the one I was holding.

“Would you like to look around, or are you ready to check out?”

“I’m ready to check out.”

“Okay great.” She reached for the books in my hands.

“I’m carrying the books.”

“Okay. Follow me.” The corners of her lips lifted into a smile that made my heart skip a beat.

I walked behind her making sure I could get another good look at all her assets. I placed my books on the counter by the register. She reached for the book that was on top of the pile and scanned the barcode.

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