Page 108 of A New Chapter

“What can we help you with today?” Emma asked sweetly.

“I finished that Fifty Shades series, so now I need a new romance novel,” she stated.

Emma had to suppress a giggle while Kelly quickly stepped in. “I’m your resource for romance, Mrs. Simmons. Follow me!”

As they walked away, Emma thought, Good for her! I hope I’m still that spry at her age.

Three rapid pings of Emma’s phone interrupted her musings.

Did you eat yet?

I hope so, because Zeus needs his nourishment.

Plus, you need to keep your energy up for tonight. Hint. Hint.

Emma thought for a moment and then typed her response:

If I keep having to answer your texts, I won’t have any energy left over for tonight. Hint. Hint.

There, that should hold him off for a while!

She’d underestimated him, because, a second later, her phone pinged again.

Nice try! Eat. xoxo

She rolled her eyes and went to her office in search of a carry-out menu.

Zack and Gracie pulled up in front of the bookstore at exactly five o’clock. Emma had just opened the car door to get in when Gracie shouted, “We have a surprise for you!”

“Gracie,” Zack warned, and he shot her a scolding look.

“You do? But Christmas is over,” Emma said.

Gracie could barely contain her excitement, but Zack shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “First, you need to eat dinner, and then we’ll give you the surprise,” he said without his usual humor.

Emma was curious, but she could tell that the topic was closed, so she let it go.

When they arrived at Zack’s house, Gracie raced inside, presumably in search of Duchess.

“So, what can I feed you?” Zack asked, leading her into the kitchen.

“I’m not hungry yet. Kelly and I ate a big lunch.”

Zack’s mouth was still set in a rigid line, which was unusual for him, so she had to ask. “Zack, what’s bothering you?”

Just then, Gracie came bounding down the stairs with a wrapped package in her hands, and Duchess pranced along behind her.

“See, Emma. This is your present, and I helped wrap it,” Gracie said proudly.

“Gracie, I told you we were going to wait until after dinner,” Zack snapped. He then turned his attention to Emma and said, “You want to know what’s wrong? This is what’s wrong. This is not how things were supposed to go.”

“What things?” Emma was truly confused. She put a hand on Zack’s arm. “What’s going on?”

Zack took a deep breath and composed himself. “Ok, Gracie. We’ll give Emma our present now. Let’s go into the living room.”

Once they were seated on the couch, with Zack on one side of her and Gracie on the other, Gracie handed Emma the package.

Truth be told, Emma loved presents. She felt just as excited to open it as Gracie was to give it to her. She flashed Zack a big, goofy smile, and he visibly softened.