He chuckles. “Believe it or not, I didn’t carry around books as a kid. My interest developed somewhat later. I was much more likely to be wrestling with other boys in the mud.” He releases my face. “Anyway, enough about all that. What was your favorite fairy tale that your dad invented?”
I think for a moment. “There was one that was really freaky. I don’t remember all the details, but it had to do with a girl who was locked in a tower with no escape. She had been swapped with a changeling of sorts, except instead of a fairy, the changeling was her own shadow. It was a twisted, dark version of her, and the only way she could get free of the tower was to trap her shadow in her place. But she couldn’t figure outhow, because the tower was pitch black, without any lamps or windows or candles.”
Spenser’s red eyes widen just a tad. “What a lovely bedtime story,” he says drily. “How did it end?”
I shrug. “Can’t remember. Maybe it never did? Could be I fell asleep before Dad ever got to the end.”
“You should finish it someday. Maybe give it a happy ending.”
“I don’t see how I could. Unless the girl learns to love being alone in the dark.”
“Hey, she might. Maybe she’s not actually alone. Maybe there’s a darkness monster in the tower who loves her and they live happily ever after.” He resumes scanning his stack, and I follow his lead, trying to hide my grin. Leave it to him to find the silver lining in a story designed to be awful.
We work in companionable silence for a moment, and I realize it’s the perfect time to bring up an idea I’ve been toying with. I’ve been hesitant to say anything, because I don’t know if it’s a good idea or a bad one. But there’s only one way to find out.
I take a deep breath. Now’s my chance to be brave, and if he shoots me down, at least no one but the two of us will know. “Hey, there’s something I’ve been wanting to run by you. I’ve been waiting for a good time to mention it.”
Spenser looks up from his scanner. “What’s that?”
“I know I’m still the new kid on the block, but I wondered how you would feel about me starting and running a book club in the store? You know, selecting a title, ordering extra copies for the club members to buy, serving some baked goods. I’m thinking the club could meet once a month, maybe on Tuesday nights, since we’re both usually working and so is Coby. The two of you could cover the customers while I run the club. Thoughts?” It all spills out in a rush.
I know for a fact—thanks to Agnes—that the store has never tinkered with a book club before. So if he objects, it won’t be on the grounds that it’s failed in the past.
He shoots me a sidelong glance as he scans his own pile. “Why?”
I blink in confusion. Didn’t I just explain it? “What do you mean?”
“Tell me why you want to do this. Like you said, you’re new here. I know you’re ambitious, but I’m curious about your reasoning.”
Okay, then. He is not sounding enthusiastic. I shrug and focus on my scanning. “I dunno. I just thought it was a good idea.”
“Juliet.” He steps closer and places his hand over mine, forcing me to stop scanning and look at him. “Talk to me. I’m not saying no. I’m asking why.”
I take another deep breath. If I want to do this, I guess I have to be vulnerable. “I don’t know very many people in Harmony Glen yet. You and the rest of the staff are awesome, and obviously so are Maggie and Gabe, but I’d like to build a bigger…I don’t know, community here. I could use some friends. I like baking and I like books, so it seems like a good fit. Plus, it could be good for sales, not to mention help other people who need a bigger friend group. I don’t really see a downside to it, honestly. Think of it as an opportunity for Moonbeam Books to bring people together.”
He purses his lips, thinking, and absently strokes his thumb along the edge of my hand, sending pleasant little sparks of electricity along my skin. I fight the urge to shiver. Or, you know, drape myself over him for maximum contact.
Finally, he nods. “Those are solid points. Let’s give it a shot. Put together a list of books that I need to order and we can doit on a trial basis—say, three months? If it’s successful, we’ll go from there.”
He moves his hand to resume scanning, but doesn’t step back to his previous spot, instead staying so close to me that our arms occasionally brush. The tiny sparks that I felt earlier erupt into something bigger, like fireworks under my skin.
I’ve liked Spenser since I met him, but I’m worried that I might be starting tolikehim. And nothing spells trouble like a crush on your boss.
Our scanners beep in unison, signaling that we need to start the next batch, and he shoots me a grin. It’s warm and friendly, andoh, no, a little bit sexy.
Yep. I’m definitely in trouble.
JULIET
“Tell me about Spenser,” Maggie demands with a grin. It’s a gorgeous, warmer-than-usual Saturday and we’re walking along the boardwalk at the lake, the wind whipping our hair. The air smells like spring and possibilities, not to mention cinnamon, which is blowing this way from the bakery. “I’ve stopped by the bookstore multiple times, but he’s so shy, it’s impossible to get anywhere with him.”
I crinkle my brow. “He’s not shy.”
Maggie laughs. “Dude, he’s barely said ten words in all the times I’ve talked to him. He’s shyer than the Shy Guy in Mario.”
I shake my head. “Not talking doesn’t make him shy. Just…quiet. Reserved, maybe. I think Mothfolk are just like that.”
“If you say so.” She shrugs, like she doesn’t quite believe me.
