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The bookstore has been quiet since late morning. We took advantage, both of us having an early lunch and since then, Katie’s been busy putting out some new titles in the children’s section. It’s her favorite department, and whenever anything new comes in, she takes delight in reorganizing the displays.
“Will you be okay on your own for a while?” I ask, wandering over to her.
“Are you going out?” She turns to face me, holding a copy of a book about dinosaurs.
“Yeah, if that’s okay with you.” She nods her head and I step a little closer. “I can stay if you want me to.”
“No, it’s fine. But I was just wandering…”
“About me and Zara?” I guess, and she smiles.
“I know it’s none of my business…”
“Of course it is. Without you, I’d never have found a way to ask her out.” I lean in a little, even though we’re alone in here. “And just so you know, Zara and I are very much in love.” Katie blushes, clutching the book to her chest. “Is that too much information?”
“When I can still picture you on your first day at high school, it probably is.”
I chuckle and shake my head. “I’m not at high school anymore, Mrs. Foster.”
She gives me a playful slap on my arm. “You seem a lot happier since Zara came into your life.”
“I am. She’s good for me, and I’m a very lucky man.”
“Does Nash know yet?” she asks, sliding the book onto the second shelf down.
“No. I’m gonna tell him tomorrow. The only thing I’ve gotta decide is how.”
“It’ll need delicate handling,” she says, nodding her head.
“Yeah. That’s why I was gonna go out. I wanted to talk it through with Dawson.”
“Dawson?” she says, frowning. “Why? He’s never had kids.”
“No. But he gets the whole divorce thing.”
She nods now, her face clearing. “I see. Will you be back before closing time?”
“Of course. I’m going over to Zara’s place later, so I’ve gotta pick up my things.”
“You mean that bag you left at the bottom of the stairs?”
I smile at her. “Yeah… that one.”
She grabs another couple of books. “Go on then. See you later.”
I make the most of her kindness and step out the front, wandering along to Dawson’s place and letting myself in. There aren’t very many people here, and I walk up to the bar, where Dawson smiles at me… or does his best impression of a smile.
“It’s not like you to come in here during the day,” he says.
“No.”
“Is it so bad that you need a drink at…” he checks his watch. “Two-fifteen in the afternoon?”
“No. But I’ll sit and have a coffee with you.”
He frowns, then turns away, keeping his back to me while he fixes two coffees and brings them back over.
