Still looking puzzled, he gently uses one of his claws to slice through the tape and carefully unwraps the box. “Light bulbs?”
“I know it seems weird, but I noticed the other night that you aren’t a huge fan of overhead lights. When I turned the kitchen light on, you got all squinty. So I thought it was time for you to install some smart bulbs. You can control the temperature and brightness of these from your phone. That way, when you need brighter task lighting, you can adjust it so it doesn’t hurt your eyes.”
His expression softens and he breaks into the biggest smile I’ve ever seen on him. “Juliet, this is genuinely one of the most thoughtful gifts anyone has ever given me. It never even occurred to me to get different bulbs, but these will be great. Thank you. Really.”
I stand up. “It’s no problem. I live above a hardware store.”
He takes two big steps and envelops me in a giant hug. “The fact that you even noticed and cared enough to do something about it. You can’t know how much I appreciate it.”
His hug—and the feel of his incredible body pressed against me—is making me tingle in places I shouldn’t. I should step back, but I don’t.
“I’m glad you like it,” I whisper, my voice rough. I get the impression that he isn’t used to being noticed. He’s too busy being the noticer.
He finally backs up, letting me go, but he looks as affected as I feel. “I like it a lot.” His own voice is gravelly, and I wonder if I’m hearing things or if there’s a hidden meaning in his sentence.
Because it sure feels like what he’s actually saying is, “I likeyoua lot.”
SPENSER
I’ve never done this before, but I really want to make an impression. Juliet’s gift was so thoughtful and perfect—the lighting in my apartment is so much better now—and I want to return the favor. No, Ineedto. I have a gift for her to unwrap, but before I give it to her, I want to do something else.
Something brand new for both of us.
Something big.
As the last customers leave and I lock the front door, I take a deep breath. It’s silly to be nervous. Either she’ll say yes and it will be magical, or she’ll turn me down and we’ll go about our nights. No big deal.
“Juliet? Do you have plans now?”
She shoots me a bemused smile. “At ten o’clock? No, can’t say that I do.”
“I’d like to show you something.”
She waits a beat, and when I don’t move or say anything, says, “Okaaaay. What?”
I give my wings a nervous shake. “If you don’t mind, I’d prefer to show you.”
Again, she waits. I still don’t show her anything. “Any time would be fine,” she says, her smile growing wider.
“We have to go outside, though.”
“Are you being mysterious on purpose?”
Nope. Just nervous and awkward. I answer her question with a question. “Do you trust me?”
She must hear the seriousness in my tone, because she stops smiling and nods. “Yes.”
“Good. Then put your bag behind the counter and come out back with me.”
I lead her past my office and the stairs, through the back door, and into the alley, where the full moon illuminates things better than any streetlight. “Close your eyes,” I instruct.
She does as told, and in one swoop, I throw my arms around her and pick her up, flapping my wings at the same time. In seconds, we’re rising, my store rapidly shrinking below us.
I hope she’s not afraid of heights.
“You can open your eyes now,” I tell her, but she already has.
“We’re flying,” she whispers.
