Page 37 of Flirty Fall Fling

“What’s funny?” she asks, leaning against the desk.

“You. This. All of it. I feel lucky.”

Autumn has been threatening to introduce me to somebody since last week when I drove over to visit with her, Zane, Nick, and Julie. Had I known it was Blaire, I’d have told her to make the call right then.

“I don’t understand what you have to hide. Should I search for you online?”

I shrug. “If you want. But I’d prefer you judge me based on our time together. Not rumors and speculation and whatever else they’re saying about me on the internet.”

The opinions she has of me are ones she made on her own. I’d like to keep it that way.

Blaire is quiet for a moment, and I walk farther inside the library.

“I owe you an apology. I was trying to protect myself because I don’t want anyone to know I’m staying in Pine Haven. I have to stay off-grid and out of the limelight until November. I’m very sorry you were lumped into it. I wanted to tell you, and I would have if I had been given the opportunity.”

She downs the drink in her hand and sets the empty beaker on the desk. “Why Pine Haven?”

I move closer to her, making sure to leave a few feet between us. “My brother bought a house on the ridge. The only friends I have here are Zane and Nick, who are forty minutes one way. That’s it. Pine Haven was the only place I could be me. Not being known is supposed to give me time to think about the things I’ve done without distractions.”

“Ah.” She moves away from me and scans the bookshelves.

I continue, “The board that runs my hockey foundation gave me a choice to disappear for a season or lose the one thing I’d built that still mattered to me. So, I left the city, and I’m detoxing from my life. No one is searching for me here, so I’m taking the time to find myself. Find happiness.”

Her arms uncross. It’s not forgiveness, but she’s relaxing and letting me back into her orbit. It’s been too long. “Why did you walk into my shop?”

“Because my brother dared me.” I hold her eyes and let her have the truth because she deserves that much. “He wasn’t the reason I booked the private sessions. No one knows about that. No one can.”

She looks away first. Her thumb finds the ring and twists.

“What color is it now?” I ask, and she places it behind her back.

“Doesn’t matter.”

“Autumn credits you for her and Zane. She says your love spells never miss.”

She continues to scan the bookshelves. “They don’t.”

“I’d like to book one,” I tell her.

“No.” She doesn’t hesitate. “I will never cast for you.” It comes out serious.

“Why not?”

“You don’t need it. I won’t, so don’t ask again.” Her words are final.

“Okay. Have dinner with me.”

“I can’t date you, Jameson.”

“Jamie,” I correct. “What you call me doesn’t change. Please.”

“I’m not in a position to jump into a relationship.” She shakes her head.

“I’m asking you to join me for dinner, not to marry me,” I say.

“I’m not looking for anything serious. I’m afraid you are,” she says.

I can’t help but laugh. “I’m actually living my life one day at a time and taking your advice by letting the universe decide,” I admit. “And here you are, dressed like you’re mine. What am I supposed to say about that?”