Page 207 of When Love Takes Root

A sign near the entrance read:

Welcome to Mahogany Bookmarks & Brew, where every story deserves room to breathe.

Celeste’s fingers tightened around mine.

Behind the counter, Dr. Malcolm Whitfield looked up, a knowing smile already forming behind his wire-rimmed glasses. He wore a navy sweater and the calm authority of a man who had spent his life turning wisdom into legacy.

“Josiah Brooks,” he said. “You clean up nice when you’re trying.”

Celeste glanced at me, amused.

I kept my face straight. “I clean up nice all the time.”

Dr. Malcolm hummed, unconvinced. “Not the same thing.”

Renee Whitfield tapped his arm lightly. She wore a plum dress, her silver locs pinned high, and her smile had enough warmth to make a stranger feel expected.

“Leave him alone.” Then she turned her warmth on Celeste. “You must be Celeste.”

Celeste nodded, a little shy. “Yes, ma’am.”

“It’s good to finally meet you.” Renee’s smile deepened. “He’s been calling about you, trying to sound calm.”

Celeste’s gaze slid back to me, eyes dancing. “Oh?”

I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “This is already going left.”

Dr. Malcolm chuckled. “Just telling the truth.”

Renee came around the counter and took Celeste’s hands, grounding her. “He told us what you like, so we built the night around that.”

Celeste blinked, clearly not expecting that.

Renee squeezed her hands. “No rush tonight. The shop is yours.”

Celeste swallowed, emotion flickering across her face. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Everything’s set up. We’ll be in the back.”

Dr. Malcolm nodded toward me. “And tell Justice he still owes me for those lemon bars.”

“I will.”

Celeste waited until they stepped away, then leaned closer. “Lemon bars?”

“He took six and said it was for quality control.”

“Of course.”

I grabbed the basket Renee left for me.

Celeste narrowed her eyes at it. “What’s that?”

“The start of our date.”

“A basket?” She folded her arms, suspicious.

“Yep.”