Her exhaustion was reflected in Blair’s immaculate face, and Noah’s casual lean against the nearest bookshelf. Quinn was sure he looked just as tired because he felt like a thirty-year-old Slinky with no slink left.
‘I can’t thank you all enough.’ Quinn fell back into his armchair, feeling like he needed cracking like a brand-new book.
‘Thank us? Thank you!’ Blair leaned against the bookshelf next to a poster of himself advertising today’s event. ‘That was the most fun I’ve had in a long time!’
‘More fun than presenting the six o’clock news?’
‘So much more fun!’
Ivy made her way to the signing desk, calling as she went. ‘I think tomorrow’s signing will be just as busy. Quinn, do you have Noah’s books?’
‘They’re in the confessional booth.’
‘Blair, would you be so kind as to help me set them up?’
‘Of course.’ Blair followed Ivy to the back of the shop, looking like a golden retriever who was fetching his ball.
‘I can do that later, Ivy,’ Quinn called. ‘You need to rest.’
‘Nonsense,’ Ivy dismissed. ‘You rest. I’ve got this covered.’
It left Quinn with Noah at the front of the shop. Noah smiled, walking towards Quinn. He sat on the edge of the counter, a mere few feet from him. The messages from last night, the feeling of him a few hours ago, all came back to him.
Noah looked good today. His hands were in his pockets, and he let his feet dangle off the table, waving them back and forth. How such a simple action could make Quinn want to explode with admiration was beyond Quinn’s comprehension.
‘My jumper.’
‘I hope you don’t mind.’
‘No, it looks good on you,’ Quinn said. ‘You should keep it.’
‘Oh no, I couldn’t…’
‘Seriously. Suits you better.’
Noah brushed at the jumper, somewhat self-consciously. Quinn admired him and the way his hair fell over his forehead.
‘I’m looking forward to tomorrow,’ Noah said.
‘I’m glad. Me too.’
‘Today was a success.’
‘It was.’
Noah’s eyes drifted to the window, no doubt taking in the castle above them. Quinn wanted to follow his gaze, but right now he couldn’t allow himself to think of the castle, and what the opening meant for his shop.
From the back of the shop came a tumble, and Ivy yelped.
‘We’re okay!’ Blair called, and then there was laughter. ‘Ivy dropped some boxes.’
Noah smiled at Quinn.
Quinn sunk back into the armchair. ‘What?’
‘You’re just…’
He said nothing more. Quinn was a fish on a hook, being drawn in, even though he didn’t want to be. ‘I’m just what?’
