12. Francesca
12
FRANCESCA
The bell above the door chimes and I glance up from the stack of new releases I’m shelving. My heart skips a beat when I see Graham step inside, a drink carrier with two iced lattes in one hand and a small white pastry bag in the other.
A smile blooms across my face before I can stop it. “You’re back.” The words come out soft, almost reverent.
Graham’s eyes find mine, the corner of his mouth ticking up. “I said there would be a next time, didn’t I?”
He did, but I didn’t believe him.
Heat rushes to my cheeks at the memory of our last interaction. The way his thumb swiped across my lips, the intensity in his gaze, the unexpected vulnerability in our conversation. It was a lot for a first real meeting. But I find myself wanting more. Craving it, even.
“You did,” I agree, setting the stack of books on a nearby table. “But I wasn’t sure how long you were going to wait this time.” I flash a wink over my shoulder at him.
Romeo trots over to Graham, tail wagging furiously. Graham looks down at him, one brow arched. He shifts the drink carrier to one hand and absentmindedly scratches behind Romeo’s ears, his fingers sinking into the soft curls like it’s second nature.
“I’ve been swamped with work,” he says, giving Romeo one last scratch before straightening. “And I brought these for you.”
I can’t stop the smile that blooms across my face, my heart picking up speed at his unexpected gesture. He remembered. More than that, he followed through. I’m not used to people doing either of those things—not for me.
“You brought coffee.” My voice comes out breathless, almost softly giddy. I take a step closer to him, my gaze drifting from the drink carrier to his face.
He looks unfairly handsome, even in the soft afternoon light filtering through the bookstore windows. His dark hair is pulled back from his face, emphasizing the sharp angles of his jawline and the intensity of his gaze. He’s wearing a dark blue henley that stretches across his chest in a way that should be criminal, the sleeves pushed up to reveal strong forearms.
Graham’s eyes meet mine, a hint of amusement glinting in their depths. “I did. Iced caramel latte.” He holds out one of the cups to me.
Our fingers brush as I take it from him, sending a shiver of awareness down my spine.
“You remembered.” My eyes feel a little too wide, my smile a little too slow to form.
“I remember everything about you.” His voice is low and smooth, like he’s casually chatting about books and not giving me too many ideas. Ideas that have no business taking root. The last thing I need to do is add fodder to the fire for more dreams about him at night. They’re ridiculous enough as it is.
“Everything?” I breathe, my heart pounding in my chest. I take a sip of the latte, the sweet caramel and rich espresso dancing on my tongue. But all I can focus on is him. The heat of his body so close to mine, the subtle hint of his cologne—something woodsy, a little smoky, like cedar and clove. The way his eyes darken as they dip to my mouth.
“Every detail,” he confirms, taking a sip of his own coffee.
Pulling my gaze from him is difficult, and a flush of heat rolls over me. I clear my throat and pick up two books I need to reshelve. Crossing the store, I ask, “And what do you do for work?” I meant to ask him last time I saw him, but I was distracted by the opening and the cupcakes. God, those were so delicious.
“Security.” His voice is a lot closer than I anticipated.
Though I don’t know why I’m surprised. Because of course he’d follow me across the store, Romeo trotting behind him like the good boy he is.
The warm flush rolls down my neck and settles into my chest as I look at him through a new lens. Broad chest, strong shoulders, the kind of presence that makes a room feel smaller. A man built to take up space and make you notice it.
“Yeah, I could see that,” I say, my voice softer than I intend. I set the books on the counter and move through the motions of closing up for the night.
Graham doesn’t respond right away, just watches me with those keen hazel eyes, like he’s trying to decide how much to say.
“So, who were you protecting?” I ask, arching a brow as I grab my checklist from behind the counter. “Or is that confidential?”
He looks at me, the corner of his mouth lifting into a smirk. Though it’s hard to tell when it’s tucked beneath that close-cropped beard of his. “Not that kind of security. Cybersecurity.”
I swallow hard, shaking my head as if I can dislodge whatever ridiculous thoughts just took root in my brain. “Right. Of course. Yeah. I didn’t think there was a big need for physical security in Avalon Falls, but I am new, so what do I know?” My laugh is a little high-pitched, my voice a little too bright, and I’m one thousand percent sure I’m bright red right now.
Graham chuckles, a low rumble that rolls through me, settling somewhere deep in my stomach. He steps closer, setting the drink carrier and pastry bag on the counter between us. The scent of fresh coffee and sugary glaze drifts in the small space between us, but it’s his proximity that has my head spinning.
He leans against the counter, hazel eyes sparking with amusement as they meet mine. “No, not a lot of call for bodyguards in Avalon Falls. But the cybersecurity threats are everywhere these days.”
I nod, trying to focus on his words and not the way his forearms flex as he shifts, strong and tan against the dark wood of the counter. “That makes sense. I can’t even imagine all the cyber threats out there these days. It’s kind of terrifying when you think about it.”
Graham hums in agreement. “It can be. But that’s why people like me exist. To stay one step ahead and keep everyone’s data safe.”
“Well, you’re my hero today for this,” I tease, lifting the coffee from the drink holder. “You have no idea how badly I needed it.” Warmth unfurls in my chest, spreading outward as his eyes crinkle at the corners.
He sets the small white pastry bag on the counter, a subtle hesitation before he lets go. “Unfortunately, these are just from the grocery store.” His tone is apologetic, but there’s a hint of something else beneath it, something uncertain.
My tongue flattens behind the back of my teeth with a disbelieving tsk , my brows lifting high. “You know you don’t need to bring me something every time you stop by.”
His gaze flicks to mine, steady. “I wanted to.” Such a simple statement, but it knocks the air from my lungs.
My breath catches in my throat, emotion swelling in my chest. “Thank you,” I murmur, my voice soft and a little unsteady. “That’s so thoughtful of you, Graham.”
And it is. More than he probably realizes. Growing up in my family, thoughtfulness was in short supply. Everything was calculated, an elaborate chess game of appearances and one-upmanship. Genuine gestures of kindness were few and far between.
They always say it’s the thought that counts , but I don’t think I ever truly understood what that meant. Because what does it say about my family if their thoughts were never about me, but rather about what I could offer? What I could prove? What I could become for them?
Graham shifts his weight, watching me carefully. “I know how much you enjoyed the cupcakes last week, but my sister had a big order come in, so it’s grocery store donuts today.”
I grin. “I love all kinds of donuts, honestly.”
The corner of his lips twitches. “Noted.”
A warmth unfurls in my chest, slow and insistent. Why do I feel like he’s quite literally noting that—like he has a running list of me in his head? Maybe that’s just wishful thinking.
A slow smile spreads across my face as I reach for the white pastry bag, the crinkle of paper loud in the quiet bookstore. I open it to find an assortment of colorful donuts. Glazed, sprinkled, jelly-filled, even a maple bacon one. The sweet scent of fried dough and sugar drifts up to me, and my stomach rumbles in anticipation.
“These look amazing,” I murmur appreciatively. “You really know the way to a girl’s heart, don’t you?”
Something flickers in Graham’s eyes, there and gone too quickly for me to decipher. He clears his throat, straightening up from the counter. “Not really.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, light and easy. I look at him, letting the soft, hazy appreciation for fried dough settle over me. “Well, I appreciate your donuts.”
I pluck a chocolate glazed one from the bag and take a big bite, my eyes fluttering closed as the rich flavor hits my tongue. “Mmmm. Yep, just as delicious as I imagined.”
When I open my eyes, Graham is watching me with an inscrutable expression. His gaze lingers on my lips for a moment before he quickly looks away.
“Good,” he says, his voice a touch gruff. “I’ll have to remember that for next time.”
Next time. The words send a little thrill through me, even though I know I shouldn’t read too much into them. I don’t know what we’re even doing, but I know that I like it. I like the idea of more next times with him.
He takes a step back, and something inside me dips, the thought of him leaving already tugging at something tender in my chest. I scramble for a reason to make him stay a little longer, my mind racing through possibilities.
“Want to go for a coffee walk?” The question springs free before I can second-guess it.
Graham pauses, one dark brow arching in silent question. I lick my lips, suddenly nervous under the intensity of his gaze. “You know, sunshine and fresh air but also lattes.” My voice lifts a little at the end, like I’m trying to sell him on the idea. “The store closes in fifteen minutes, and then I was going to take Romeo for a walk.” I gesture vaguely in the direction of the little green space downtown, the nerves making my hands feel a little tingly.
Inwardly, I cringe at myself. That probably sounded too eager.
But then the corner of his mouth ticks up, just slightly. “Sure. I’ll go on a walk with you.”
“And Romeo,” I murmur, my smile settling into something more relaxed.
His gaze flicks to the fluffball in question. “And him.”
“You can stay here while I close up if you want. Or if you need to go somewhere?—”
“I’ll stay.”
Graham’s words send a warm flush through me, settling deep in my bones. “Okay,” I murmur, my smile growing. “I’ll just be a few minutes.”
I hurry through my closing routine, anticipation humming beneath my skin. Graham wanders the store as I work, his fingers skimming along book spines, his gaze drifting over the cozy reading nooks and vintage decor.
Every so often, our eyes meet across the space, and a jolt of electricity zips through me. There’s something about the way he looks at me that makes my skin prickle with awareness, the fine hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
Like he’s trying to unravel me with every glance.
I finish my closing tasks in record time, flipping off the lights and snagging Romeo’s leash from behind the counter. He perks up immediately, tail wagging furiously as he prances around my feet.
“Okay, okay,” I laugh, clipping the leash to his harness and wrapping it around my torso. “I’m so glad I got a hands-free leash, because now I get to walk and enjoy my latte. And the rest of my donut.”
I turn to Graham with a grin, lifting my latte in one hand and my half-eaten donut in the other. “Ready?”
He nods, the corner of his mouth ticking up into that almost-smile I’m growing so fond of. He gestures with his coffee toward the door. “After you.”
We step out of the bookshop and into the golden-hour light, the door clicking shut softly behind us. Romeo immediately starts sniffing everything in sight, his tail held high and wagging.
I can’t help but laugh at his enthusiasm. “Guess we’re going on a sniff adventure.”
“A sniff adventure?”
“Yep. It’s like social media for dogs. At least, that’s what the dog trainer videos said. It’s good for his mental well-being.”
Graham hums, taking a sip of his coffee. “There’s a dog park on the other side of town.”
“There is?” My brows lift in surprise. “I didn’t know that. Maybe I’ll take Romeo.” I sip my iced latte as Romeo circles back to sniff the same tree for a second time.
“And there’s a daycare place in Rosewood. The next town over.”
I pause mid-sip. “A daycare?”
“Yeah, for dogs. They’ve got playgrounds, separate areas for different-sized dogs, and when it’s hot, they set up these mini pools so they can cool off.”
I roll my lips inward, barely suppressing a smile. He’s so thoughtful it makes my heart ache a little. Romeo finishes his inspection of the tree, and we continue walking.
“I thought you weren’t a dog person?” I arch a brow.
Graham scoffs, but there’s a flicker of amusement in his eyes. “I never said that.”
“Oh really?” My brows shoot higher, lips twitching with a barely suppressed grin. “I distinctly remember you saying, and I quote, ‘I’m not a dog person’ in the middle of that coffee shop.” I jerk my chin toward the right, where the café is still buzzing with evening patrons.
His lips curve into a slow, crooked smile that makes my heart stutter. “Five years is a long time. I’ve learned a lot since then.”
Curiosity sparks in my chest, warm and insistent. “Oh yeah? Like what?”
I tear a piece off my donut and pop it into my mouth, the sweet glaze melting on my tongue as I wait for his answer.
Graham takes another sip of his coffee, gaze drifting over the picturesque streets of Avalon Falls as we walk. The golden glow of the setting sun bathes everything in warm, honeyed light. A gentle breeze carries the scent of garlic and fresh basil from the nearby Italian restaurant, mingling with the crisp autumn air.
After a long moment, he says, “I’ve learned patience.”