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She stepped past him to push the front door wide, the scent of cinnamon and vanilla suddenly teasing his senses. In a blink, Alex was that same, smitten nineteen-year-old drowning in an attraction he didn’t know how to navigate.
So much for his theory that enough time apart could smother any crush.
He swallowed hard, rooted to the floor and unsure of what to do next. Beg for the forgiveness she wasn’t granting? Make a run for it?
Haul her in for a kiss that would leave no doubt as to how he’d always truly felt about her?
“Good night, Alex.”
She wanted him to go, but indecision moved him for the door at tortoise speed. He had everything to lose and nothing to gain by walking away. Then again, she’d never been his to lose.
Alex paused before her, waiting in silence until her stubborn gaze reluctantly met his.
“I meant what I said, Mia. I was young and stupid and…and I’m sorry.”
Mia studied him for a long moment, then blew out a sigh.
“Yes, you were young. And stupid!” Alex took a step backward out the door, surprised by the outburst. Mia followed, poking a finger into his chest as they moved. “And cocky and arrogant and—”
She stopped, scanned the sidewalk around them, and winced as she spied an older couple outside the next shop staring. Mia offered them an appeasing smile, then squinted toward a nearby streetlight wrapped in multicolor lights. When she spoke next, though quieter, her tone still carried a frustrated edge.
“But if it’ll help you sleep better tonight, then whatever, apology accepted. Good luck with your book signing, and Merry Christmas.”
With that, she stepped back inside and pulled the door shut behind her. The lock clicked into place, and the only woman who’d ever truly stolen his heart disappeared once again into the depths of Brooks Books. Alex stood beneath a giant artificial snowflake, trying to process all that had just happened.
First, his theory about that crush had, unfortunately, been disproven.
Second, she’d forgiven him.
Mia Brooks, the last person on the planet he deserved forgiveness from, had just granted it. Maybe it was because he never expected it to happen or never thought he’d build up the nerve to face her again, but something unexpected happened to Alex in that moment. The trip he’d hoped would bring him closure instead had filled him with an entirely new and unexpected longing:
A second chance to win her heart.
Chapter Two
Of all thepeople she ever would have guessed might walk into Brooks Books, Alexander Wellington might have been dead last. Especially the way they’d parted at the end of her freshman year of college.
There’d definitely been no love lost between them.
“So, did you getMisterWellington’s number?” Del asked, eyes bright with curiosity. She and Brooklyn had slipped their coats off and were now helping Aunt Faye put sale stickers on several small stacks of books stockpiled on a nearby table.
“No. Well, yes, actually, since it’s on his business card.” She dropped it onto the checkout counter and started closing down the cash register. “Not that I’d ever call him.”
Her sister frowned. “Why not? The guy was a real hunk. Also? I’m usually pretty good at getting a read on people, and I have to say that man was totally into you.”
“Okay, first, you’re terrible at reading people,” Mia said with a laugh. “Plus, that guy was maybe the biggest jerk on campus back when I was in school. I know you’re all itching to get me back into the dating world, but he isnotsomeone you want to saddle me with.”
Brooklyn picked up the card. “It says he’s a best-selling author.”
“And you didn’t invite him to stay longer?” Aunt Faye asked. “Sweetie, weren’t you just saying you wished we had a best-selling author for our Christmas event?”
Mia snorted. “Yes, because Books-A-Plenty already has one booked. The same one that just stopped in on his way to South Bend to meet with them.”
“So that’s why he stopped by? To rub it in our faces?” Del’s shoulders dropped. “Man, he really is a jerk.”
“Actually, he was here to apologize.” Mia looked toward the entryway, suddenly feeling the tiniest bit of remorse for having been so short with him. She hadn’t expected him to look and sound so…repentant.
“For being a jerk or because he was signing for the enemy?” Del asked.
