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“I need to run to the bank and then drop off this box of donated books at the senior center,” he explained. “We’re not technically open yet—we open at eleven today—so if you could go up to the storage room and pull out the boxes marked ‘Gingerbread House,’ I would really appreciate it. I should only be gone an hour.”

“Oh, um…sure.” She was a little disappointed because she had been looking forward to them spending time together, but maybe this would be fun too. “Go and do what you need to, and I’ll bring the boxes down.”

“Thanks, sweetie. I’ll lock the door behind me.”

“Sounds good!”

Taking her time, she moseyed around a little on her way to the decorated stairs leading up to the loft. There were so many things to see, and she wanted to explore them all, but there would be time for that later. For now, she had a job to do.

When she reached the loft, she smiled. The oversized armchairs, twinkle lights along the railing, the window overlooking Main Street…it was beyond cozy and inviting.

“This is where I’m going to set up and do my work after Dad gets back,” she murmured as she made her way to the door in the corner. But once she opened it, all the good feelings were gone. Alesha stared into the storage room and groaned. It was like stepping into an episode of Hoarders.

Nothing was organized and the writing on the boxes was so faded that she had to closely examine them just to try to figure out what they said. With a weary sigh, she began moving boxes around until she cleared a path to the far wall. It was the one that divided the bookstore from The Daily Scoop, and it was made completely of exposed brick.

“Too bad he uses this for storage. This would make a great addition to the loft.”

Standing there, Alesha imagined antique tables and warm lighting along the wall, transforming the space into another cozy reading nook. She could almost see it clearly, but…

“Project for another day. Where are the gingerbread house boxes?”

Against the wall, boxes were stacked from floor to ceiling. For a moment she simply stared at them, trying to figure out where to begin. Some were labeled and some weren’t.

Turning, she grabbed a stepladder tucked in the corner and set it up in front of the first stack. It wasn’t easy maneuvering the top box while keeping her balance, but thankfully it wasn’t too heavy. She moved it aside and realized it had been blocking a door.

Testing the handle, she found it locked.

With a shrug, she shifted the ladder and started on the next stack.

“Making progress,” she murmured.

Her stomach growled, and she realized she was getting thirsty, but she wanted to find the gingerbread boxes before her father came back.

Reaching up, she pulled at the next box—and immediately realized this one was heavier than the others. She struggled to steady it, but her hands slipped.

In the next instant, her balance went with it.

She heard herself scream as the ladder tipped, and both she and the boxes crashed to the floor.

For a moment everything blurred together—voices, noises, maybe someone knocking on a door. At least she thought that’s what she heard. Or maybe she was imagining it.

With a groan, she tried to focus, but the room was still spinning. With nothing else to do, she closed her eyes and took a slow breath, deciding that she’d just wait a minute for everything to settle.

The banging grew louder—or maybe it was just the pounding in her head. Lifting her hands to cradle her skull, she hoped it might quiet the noise.

But it didn’t.

“Ow,” she moaned.

Suddenly everything went silent, and she let out a relieved sigh. A second later, the door burst open with a loud crash.

She screamed and immediately regretted it when the sound made her head throb.

“Oh my God! Are you all right?”

Alesha blinked up at the man hovering over her and gasped.

Of course it was the sexy jogger from the park.