Without thinking, I climb out of the car and jog across the street, hurrying into the bookstore.
It’s reckless and silly. There is no reason to be doing this, but I can’t help myself.
She glances at me as I walk in, but only for a fraction of a second. “We’re just about to close, but there is no rush because I’m still busy here. Just shout if you need any help with anything specific, and I’ll be right there,” she says politely, her eyes turned down onto her paperwork. Her perfume catches me as Iwalk past the desk she’s standing behind. Sweet, like Magnolia flowers. It’s captivating.
“Thanks, I appreciate that,” I say. But she isn’t paying me too much attention. She’s frowning at something, scrunching her nose as though she’s noticed an error.
This is the first time I’ve spoken to her, and for some reason, it has my heart beating a little faster. She is even more beautiful close up. I’ve been watching her through windows for days.
Seeing her without a glass between us is quite different. The details of her face become richer. Her dark lashes, the softness of her skin, the soft flush of peach on her lips.
Realizing I’m staring, I turn toward the closest bookshelf and start browsing.
What the fuck am I even doing in here? Just leave.I’ve been so busy tracking her that I haven’t even gone through the information I got from Lucas’s phone the other day. My entire plan was paused. Not that I mind delays. Delays only increase the satisfaction when you do eventually reach your goal.
Through the open shelving, peering between books, I watch her tidying up the desk and packing away today’s sales documents.
“Blair, we can close up now,” a guy’s voice calls from the back somewhere. I hear his footsteps as he makes his way to the front of the shop. Her colleague. Tall, skinny, dark hair, and a wide smile. I guess one could call him a good-looking nerd. He doesn’t come to the front of the shop often, not since I’ve been watching anyway. He tends to stay hidden in the back.
“We still have a customer,” she whispers, gesturing with her head in my direction.
The guy nods and lowers his voice. “What are you doing after work?”
“I’m making avocado and prawn salad and reading the last few chapters of The Silent Patient.”
“You’re reading that one again?” he laughs.
“Third time. It’s really good. You should stop singularly focusing on your fantasy and dragon novels and try expanding your taste a little,” she teases him.
He shifts nervously and clears his throat.
“Listen, Blair, I was wondering if maybe you wanted to get dinner with me tonight?”
My body spikes with annoyance. Did the guy just ask her out? My shoulders go tense, and I freeze, listening intently for her reply.
“Um, like dinner? Um, a date?” she stammers hesitantly.
“Yes,” he laughs. “Like a date. If you’re free?”
She glances down at what she’s wearing. She looks back at him, biting her lip as though this is a very big decision. Finally, to my horror, she replies, “Ok, sure. But I want to go home, shower, and change first. I can meet you somewhere?”
Jealously snakes through me in an unexpected surge.
I don’t want her to go on a date with this guy. I don’t want her to go on a date with anyone!
