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"Yes, but Dad said I can only have three."
I glanced up at Zach, who shook his head, telling me he had said nothing of the sort. I smiled. "Alright, well, three is still a good number of books. So, let’s get these checked in and those checked out, okay?"
Once I had finished, I got up and came around the counter. "Have a good night, Grace."
She continued to the door and went to push it open when Zach stopped her. "What do you say, Grace?"
"Thanks, Iris. See you next week."
"See you, Grace. Enjoy those books, okay?"
Grace stopped walking and turned toward Zach. "Are you coming, Dad? We don’t have all day,"she said, putting her hand on her hip.
I tried hard not to laugh.
"I'll be right there. Go climb in the truck,"Zach said, then glanced over at me and smiled.
Zach and I watched as Grace made her way over to his truck. "Sorry about that. She's got..."
"Spunk?" I asked.
"Attitude. I was going to say. Just like her mother."
I laughed. "Yeah, that she does have." I winked. "It’s not much different from my two, to be honest. I’m sure she will outgrow that."
Zach stood there, shifting from foot to foot. Clearly, he wanted to say something.
"Well, it was nice to see you again. I guess I will see you next week at the next reading." I smiled, stepping away and heading back toward the desk. When I sat down, I noticed he was still standing there, fidgeting. "Is there something else?" I questioned.
He glanced over to where Trinity stood speaking with another customer before making his way over to me, then leaned on the counter. "I thought maybe we could get lunch or coffee sometime, if you aren't too busy, but I totally understand if you are, because well, just because I do,"he said quietly.
I smiled again and looked down at the counter, my cheeks getting a little hot at his question. Just then the bells above the door chimed and in walked Carol and her daughter, Mizzy. Carol glanced between the pair of us and gave us a nod, then made her way over to where Trinity stood with Peggy. Their mumbled words were barely audible as they talked amongst themselves while looking over at Zach and me.
"If you aren't interested...just forget that I asked. I think I may have overstepped my bounds," he said, placing his hand on the door and pushing it open.
"Wait, one minute," I said, coming back around the counter and making my way over toward Zach. We both stepped outside, the fresh air welcoming. Immediately, I spotted Grace staring at us through the truck window, a tiny frown on her face.
I shoved a folded piece of paper into his hand and met his eyes. “My number. I think dinner sometime would be wonderful, and I’d love to have a coffee afterward,” I said, smiling up at him.
Zach nodded and lifted his eyes to mine. "I like food with coffee." He winked.
"Okay."
"Alright. I'll see you soon."
"See you soon."
I watched as Zach headed toward his truck and climbed in. Within seconds, the engine fired up, and the truck pulled away from the curb. I jumped when I felt someone pull on my arm.
"Mom...can we please go home?" Noah said, looking up at me. "Dylan and I want to watch our show and it's on soon."
I turned my attention to my boys, who now stood beside me, and smiled. "Of course. Let’s get our things and get going."
I made my way back into the store, while Dylan and Noah went to the car. The instant I stepped inside, Trinity and Peggy questioned me.
“What was that all about?” Trinity asked, a knowing smile on her face.
“Oh nothing,” I answered, my cheeks heating.
