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Juliet’s stare moves from the guests to Vinny.

Then, painfully slowly, her head turns over her shoulder, following his eyes to me.

Her smile falls as she studies my tear-stained cheeks.

She turns back to Vinny, but he’s still looking at me.

EMMA

Five Weeks Earlier

I’ve been in love with Vincent Brooks since ninth grade.

Eighth grade, actually, if you’re counting the first day he walked into my science class. The new kid. He immediately passed the vibe check. Light-brown hair, light eyes, and—oh my gosh!—his dimple.

My heart was gone from day one and every day since.

Sounds like the beginning of a cute love story, doesn’t it?

How wrong you are, my friend.

This is a tragedy of epic proportions.

“There you are!” Vinny flashes a big smile as he rounds the corner.

I should’ve known he’d find me here.

He glances around. “This is the hardest escape room I’ve ever been in.”

“It’s a bookstore, Vinny,” I say dryly as I eye him.

“Right. But like a maze too. I can’t find Juliet at all.”

My attention goes back to flipping through a display of popular children’s books, looking for anything new and interesting. “You found me easy enough.”

“Yeah, well, all I have to do is go to the children’s section anywhere we go, and that’s where you’ll be. If we’re at a park, you’ll be at the playground. If we’re at a party, you’ll be at the kids’ table. If we’re at Barnes & Noble, you’re by the picture books.” He shoots me the softest smile. “You’re easy.”

“No, I’m predictable.”

The softness in his smile transfers to his eyes. “You’re anything but predictable, Emma Lawson.”

I ignore the way the warmth in his eyes thrills every part of me. “I’m sure Juliet’s in non-fiction.” I place the book back on the shelf and pick up another.

“Yeah, probably.” He looks over his shoulder. “But I don’t know where that is.”

“I can help you find her in a second.”

His attention turns to the display in front of me. “Looking for something to add to your classroom library?”

“I don’t need anything, but it’s fun to glance. See what’s out there.”

“How many books does a second-grade teacher need?”

“There’s no cap on something like that.”

“Ah, I see.” The corner of his mouth curls upward in his cute way. “Want to play a game?”

I smile back. “Obviously.”