But then the question appears, and it’s way easier than I anticipated.
What is the only number that, when spelled out, has its letters in alphabetical order?
I lean into my group. “I don’t know if it’s theonlynumber that does that, but I think the answer she’s looking for is forty.”
We put it in and wait, and it doesn’t take long for the bartender to declare us the winner, rewarding us with coupons for our next visit. We cheer and clink our glasses. Another hour passes before we finally make our way out of the bar, and I walk home, enjoying the crisp air on my face. I may have overdone it a little on the drinks and salty snacks, but I don’t care. Tonight was fun.
When I fall into bed, I can’t stop smiling. Life in Harmony Glen is looking sweet.
JULIET
I take a moment to quietly observe Spenser before he notices me. He moves so gracefully, gliding around the store almost as if his feet never quite touch the ground. He’s wearing what I’ve come to think of as his standard uniform: fitted jeans or trousers that hug his thick thighs, a tight t-shirt that shows off impressive biceps, and a vest. I wonder if he gets his clothes custom made to suit his unique anatomy. If so, his tailor does a good job, because his wings look like silk under the twinkle lights, their shades of blue and purple almost glimmering.
What a beautiful, fascinating person he is.
He’s walking around with Flicker at his feet, clearly in the midst of a conversation with her. Despite the casual way he told the story of how they met, it’s clear to me they’re a bonded pair.
I stare for a moment longer, trying to figure out how someone who spends all their time puttering around a bookstore manages to get such a ripped body, but he must feel my gaze, because he looks up. When he sees me, a smile stretches across his face.
I shoot him a little wave and walk over, fully aware that there is a matching grin on my own face. I can’t help it.
“Hey, Spenser,” I greet.
“Hey, just the person I wanted to see,” he says. “Come tell me what you think of this display.” I step closer and he flutters his wings, stirring a gentle breeze that raises goosebumps on my arms. At least, I think the breeze is the cause. Then again, maybe it’s just…him.
One of my many nerdy hobbies is learning the collective nouns for things. Which comes in useful at the moment, because I know that it’s a kaleidoscope of butterflies that erupts in my stomach every time I’m with him. Or, I suppose, given his species, maybe it’s an eclipse of moths. Either way, I feel all bubbly and girlish in his presence. It was never like this with Braeden, and we were together for two years. Two years I wish I could have back.
I follow Spenser to the table in the store’s seating area, examining the display he put together. It’s a mix of horror and thriller novels, all artfully stacked to catch the eye.
“Looks great,” I tell him.
Later, during a lull in customers, he does the funniest thing. He’s leaning against the counter, an old pulp novel in his hand as we chat. As I watch, he rips a page out and absently takes a bite.
Did he…did he just eat part of a book?
Then again, he is part moth. Maybe that’s normal?
“You seem peckish.” I raise my brows. “Do I need to worry about my sweater?”
He looks at the page in his hand and then chuckles. “No. I can assure you that I’ve never eaten anyone’s wardrobe. I do like the occasional old book, though.” He shakes his head, as if a little bewildered. “I have to admit, I didn’t even realize I was doing it. I don’t normally snack in front of people. I guess I’m comfortable with you.”
I chew my lip to suppress the grin that’s trying to escape.
“Not to worry. Your secret is safe with me. I won’t tell anyone that you opened this bookstore just so you could eat the merchandise.”
He laughs and shakes his head.
“Tell me one of your embarrassing secrets? To make it even,” he teases.
I think for a second, then decide…why not?
“Well…I’m scared of dark, enclosed spaces. Not the dark in general. Like, I don’t mind walking home at night or working late. But a dark closet or elevator or something?” I shiver. “Gives me the heebie jeebies.”
“How do you feel about a fully lit basement?” he asks, taking another bite of the page in his hand.
“Uh, I think that should be mostly fine. Why?”
“I was hoping on Wednesday evening you could help me go through some inventory down there. Kelly and Coby are coming in to cover the floor, so we’ll have time to actually sort through everything.”
