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“Lucien Thornfield,” he says.

“I’m glad you came back, Professor,” she says, slipping behind the counter and checking the time on an old-fashioned watch she wears on her left wrist.

“I couldn’t stay away.” Thornfield moves closer to the counter. He has regained his composure now, and is back to his usual stoic self.

Except… he’s not.

I see it now.

This woman has no idea who he is. But he knows who she is, and he is very clearly in love with her.

11

TANNER

Discretely, I study the woman behind the counter. She reminds me of Nova, but I don’t know why; her spirit is not as fiery. Or maybe it is. Maybe it’s just hidden somewhere deep down behind the nerves and the… what is that?

It hits me like a wave when she wriggles her shoulders.

Pain.

There is something wrong with this human. She’s sick. She’s not whole.

A violent shudder grips my insides. I inhale slowly and force the feelings aside. Whatever is wrong with her – whatever she’s going through – it is not my purpose to find out or to help. We are here for Mack.

But… but…

Something about the way she moves makes me want to hug her. Nothing else. Just hold her and tell her it’s going to be okay.

And yet, none of it shows on her face. She smiles broadly, her eyes sparkling. “Are you going to tell me which books you were interested in, or would you like me to guess?”

Thornfield swallows hard. Like he doesn’t quite know how to answer.

I almost laugh.

Seeing him tongue-tied is priceless.

But he soon rallies. “I believe you might be in possession of some books that once belonged to my family. They were stolen several years ago, and I’ve been trying to track them down. My search led me here.”

Luna’s eyes widen. “Stolen?” She blinks at him, worry coming off her in waves even though I’m blocking it out.

Lucien reaches for her hand again and brushes his fingers across the top of her knuckles. “Don’t worry, it’s not the fault of the store or the owner. I don’t even really want them back. I’d just like to see them again, if possible.”

“Do you have titles?” Luna asks, hesitating before taking her hand back and moving over to the ancient-looking computer in the corner. “I’ll check our catalogue.”

“Better than that,” Lucien says, reaching for his phone. “I have pictures if that would help?”

He swipes a few buttons then shows Luna the screen. She studies the image, then nods, her cheeks flushing a little. “Yes, oh yes! I remember them.” She pinches the bridge of her nose. “They were here one day when I arrived for work. Just sat on the desk. My boss said someone had sold them to him at an auction.” Her excitement fades and she bites her lower lip. “I’m so sorry. That money should have been yours.” She gestures to the computer. “I can email my boss. He’s not very communicative, but he should get back to me within a few days. I could ask if he’ll let you take them.” She frowns, her forehead creasing beneath her large round glasses. “If he can even stop you. How does that work? If they’re yours anyway?”

Lucien chuckles – a sound I’m not used to – and Luna blushes harder.

Holy fuck, the chemistry between these two – it’s almost fiery enough to melt the leather on the big old books in the window.

And neither of them has any intention of acknowledging it.

“I would appreciate that,” Lucien says, in a timbre clearly designed to make her shudder with pleasure. “Thank you, Luna.”

At the sound of her name on his lips, he opens her mouth to speak but no sound comes out. She simply nods. Then gingerly slides a piece of paper toward him. “If you leave your email, I’ll let you know what he says.”