Page 112 of Safe With You

I watched him walk toward one of the tables near the front window and set his camera bag down.

Then I looked at the computer in front of me.

The order I’d been checking was still open on the screen.

I couldn’t remember what I’d been looking for.

I blamed the pictures.

It seemed easier than examining any of the other possibilities.

I hadn’t planned to ask Luna to eat with me.

At least, that was the lie I told myself while I sat near the front window of Chapter & Charm waiting for her to grab her things.

The truth was, the thought had crossed my mind sometime between the romance shelves and watching her forget I was taking her picture.

So I made a reason to stay.

Food.

Simple enough.

From where I sat, I could see Luna talking to Naomi behind the register, her purse hanging from one shoulder while she pointed at something on the computer screen. Naomi said something I couldn’t hear, and Luna immediately shook her head.

Then Naomi looked over at me and smiled.

I looked away.

Whatever was happening over there had nothing to do with me.

Probably.

A minute later, Luna came around the counter with her purse hanging from one shoulder. The green blouse I’d noticed when I first walked in looked different outside the bookstore lighting, brighter against her brown skin, and her curls shifted around her shoulders as she glanced back at Naomi.

“Ready?”

I stood and lifted my camera bag onto my shoulder. “You sure you’re allowed to leave?”

She glanced back at Naomi. “Apparently, my presence is no longer required.”

“Your presence is never required,” Naomi called from behind the counter.

Luna stopped halfway to the door and turned around. “See, now I’m staying.”

“No.” Naomi pointed toward the door. “Go.”

“You just said⁠—”

“I know what I said.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, but apparently not well enough because Luna caught me smiling when she turned back around.

“Don’t.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You’re laughing.”