“Come on,” I laugh, jumping out of the car and running around to Ronin’s side. After tugging him out, I wind my fingers through his and lead him up to the entrance. “You’ve got to have a little more faith in me than that.”
“Okay?” Ronin replies, drawing out the last syllable like a question. He lets me lead him inside the dimly lit shop. I skip turning the main store lights on since it’s after hours and the last thing I want to do tonight is attract anyone here but Ronin. We make our way deeper inside, weaving between the darkened shelves.
“Is this the part where you lure me into my own grandparent’s bookstore and murder me?” His fingers tighten around mine. “Interesting choice for a birthday present, even for you.”
I shush him. “You’re such a brat.”
I let go of his hand as we approach the back of the store and step to the side, gesturing to what I spent all afternoon setting up.
“Happy Birthday, Ronin. Welcome to a walk down memory lane, Ronin and Mel style.”
Ronin takes in the space, a small smile on his lips. With the help of Evan and Sydney earlier today, we moved some of the shelves off to the side, making room for the couch that’s usually located in our break room. We dragged it to the back of the store—a feat on its own, getting it through that break room door—and set it against one of the walls. A small table sits before it with a spread of snacks and a couple decks ofMagiccards. A large, handmade birthday banner is draped across the wall behind the couch, signed by our group of friends.
“What is all of this, Mel?” He spins in place, finally noticing the television set plugged in against the opposite wall. He shoots me a sexy grin.“The Fifth Element?Nice touch.”
I glance at the screen where the movie isqueued up, memories of the night we shared before college flickering through my mind, and I grin back. “I thought so. It was a night to remember, after all.”
Ronin chuckles. “AndMario Kart?”He crouches down to touch the console next to the television. “Now you’re just spoiling me.”
He stands and pulls me into him, wrapping me in a warm hug. “Thank you, Mel,” he says into my hair. “This is the perfect way to celebrate turning thirty.”
“Reliving all of your awkward teen moments… What could be better?” I smile up at him.
“Literally nothing,” he replies, leaning down to kiss me.
I take a seat on the couch, patting the spot next to me before picking up a deck of cards. “So,” I say, giving him a coy smile. “You playMagic?”
Chapter Thirty-Two
MELLIE
After I’ve sufficiently kicked his butt in games and we’ve stuffed ourselves full of junk food and soda, Ronin and I sprawl out on the couch. My feet are in his lap and his fingers graze the skin around my ankle where it meets my sock.
The soft glow emitting from the strings of fairy lights in the children’s section is the only light other than the TV, which is now playing an old Wes Anderson film. The volume is down so low I can barely hear it, but neither of us are paying any attention anyway.
Ronin runs his hand along my calf, pushing the loose pant legs up, and I giggle as his fingers tickle the sensitive skin under my knee. I gently kick out at him, and he catches my leg with a grin, locking it back in place on his lap and continuing his slow torture.
The moment feels quiet and cozy. I’m content just laying in his presence, sharing his space without the need to fill it with conversation.
Being with Ronin is easy—the most natural thing I will ever do.
Ronin’s fingers tighten as they wind back down to my feet, and he begins to massage them one by one. I relax into thecouch, my body languid and lazy before I finally break the silence.
“Can I ask you a question?”
Ronin pauses his kneading for a brief second before he agrees.
“Why did you wait so long to ask me out once I moved back home?”
Ronin’s hands rest on my ankles. “I didn’t want to rush anything with you, Mel. We both know how well it went last time I tried, and I promised your brother I wouldn’t fuck it up this time.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “You’re taking dating advice from my little brother now?”
Ronin chuckles. “Heisthe one getting married, so I think he knows a bit about love.” His fingers continue to massage my foot. “I just wanted to get to know you again. Four years is a long time to be apart from someone. I wanted to learn all of the new pieces of you, and for you to see how I’ve changed, too. For instance”—he shoots me a roguish grin—“I had no idea until recently you liked avocado. You used to hate that stuff.”
“Live in California long enough andthat stuffbecomes your condiment of choice. It was unavoidable, really,” I laugh. “They put that shit on everything.”
Reaching over, I take one of his hands in mine. “I’m glad you did, though. Take your time, I mean. I don’t know, it might sound stupid, but the timing feels right, you know? I think we both had some growing up to do.”
