Chapter 4
Elsie
Of all the places to run into him, this certainly wasn’t the place.
I’d paced back and forth for a few minutes, debating whether I should even approach him. Truly, what was he doing in the romance aisle of this bookstore? This wasn’t even a popular store and was less than half the size of the one just two blocks down the street here in Larkshollow.
Yet there he stood in a colorful aisle in Birdwell’s Book Shoppe: Lukas Bristol, tall and muscled and—unfortunately—far too attractive, holding a romance novel as he studied the back cover.
I nearly giggled out loud at how ridiculous it was to think that this man was casually checking out the backs of romance books, trying to decide which one to get.
Though I considered leaving the store entirely and finding another time to browse, my foolish side got the best of me. I trotted down the aisle, bouncing on my toes as I crept behind him.
“Didn’t take you for a romance reader,” I chirped from behind him.
Lukas flinched back, startled by my sudden words, and unfortunately, I didn’t have enough time to react, so his back shoved into me, knocking me over. I squeaked as I stumbled to catch my footing.
“Shit, sorry,” he grunted out as he whirled around to grab my arms, the book in his hands falling to the ground. His large hands wrapped around my arms, steadying me and helping to right me on my feet.
“No, it was my fault. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you like that.” I scrambled to grab the book he dropped, handing it back to him quickly, my eyes lingering on the cover.
“Are you following me now?” Lukas asked.
My eyes shot up to his. I was ready to defend myself until I was red in the face, but I saw the teasing glint in his eyes.
“Actually, this is my favorite bookstore. And you just so happen to be in the aisle I frequent. In fact, I think you’d love that book. The yearning and tension? Exactly what you need, I’m sure,” I teased, watching a blush rise on his face.
“It’s not for me!” he quickly interjected. Before he could explain, I pushed him further. Because why shouldn’t I?
“Don’t be ashamed, Lukas. It’s perfectly normal for a male football player to enjoy smutty romance novels in his spare time.”
His eyes widened, and I couldn’t stop the giggle that escaped my throat. “Noah asked me to come gather a few for Henri. She’s flying to the States, and he wanted her to have a few things to read.” His shoulders moved in a tense shrug as he waved the book around in front of the shelves.
“Well, in that case, you ought to get her a few.” I pushed myself between Lukas and the shelf, barely fitting.
He didn’t even bother to move back, so I could have room.
When I reached to grab a book slightly above my head, my shoulder brushed against his chest. Pretending that I wasn’t standing too close to Lukas and that my heart wasn’t racing at that fact, I focused on my task.
I moved to grab a few more of my lesser-known favorites, hoping that Henri hadn’t read them.
I didn’t know her at all, but who wouldn’t love a romance with all the suspense and tension that made me kick my feet?
It was difficult for me to focus, since Lukas’s hot breath fanned down my throat.
I felt crowded and suffocated by his very presence, but in the best way.
It was the first time I’d been this close to a man in…
a while, and I felt in control. I stood this close to him, and the thought had me somewhat terrified, but more so exhilarated.
I felt in control of the situation because I put myself there.
Once I had four in my hands, I moved away from Lukas—who still had his feet planted in the same spot—and turned to him. Offering the books to him, I explained. “I’ve read all of these, and they’re great. I’m sure she’ll enjoy them.” Releasing a slow breath, I put some distance between us.
His eyebrows raised as he stared at my face, not acknowledging the books in my hands that I was offering. I couldn’t help but stare back into his deep blue eyes and wonder what he was thinking. My heart was still beating much too fast, and I took a step back.
“Thank you,” Lukas said after clearing his throat, taking his eyes off of my face as he took the books from my hands. I nodded in return, shifting my gaze to the shelves.
I let my eyes move from side to side as though I were actually looking at the spines of the books, though I was watching Lukas in my peripheral vision. He still hadn’t moved and was staring again.
“Forgive me, but I don’t know your name,” he finally spoke, breaking the tension in my shoulders.
I tilted my head at him with a smirk on my face, showing much more nonchalance than I felt inside.
“Elsie Clarke,” I said, not offering anything else. I pulled a random book off the shelf and acted like I was interested in the words on the back, but really I was waiting for him to say anything else.
“Elsie,” he repeated. I looked up to find him smirking. “And have you read that one?” He asked, pointing to the book in my hands. I simply shook my head no. With a wink, he turned around and headed to the front of the store, presumably to check out.
Dumbly, I returned my attention to the book, trying not to let myself stare at him like I did the other day in the dining hall.
I had no clue why I was so engrossed in looking at his table that day at lunch, because I could only see the back of his head.
But as I stood there and stared, I remembered how stupid it was of me to approach him at the banquet, and then I must have zoned out.
The next thing I knew, everyone at his table had turned to look at me, before returning to hushed whispers.
And I must have zoned out again because I jumped when Lukas was back in front of me, saying my name again. He stood toe-to-toe with me, towering over me.
“Bought that one for you.” He shifted the bag in his hand, reaching out to grab the book I held and shoving a receipt in the front cover. With no other words, he walked past me and left the store.
I stared after him, my jaw slackened, confused and shocked by his action.
Not wanting to appear as though I was following him, I waited at least a minute before walking out of the store myself. My brain felt fried, so looking through more books seemed pointless, especially when I had a gift in my hands.
The afternoon sunlight struck my eyes as soon as I opened the front door, making me squint. I nearly ran right into my father, who was standing on the sidewalk, a to-go tea in hand.
“Sorry,” I laughed, my eyes adjusting. Dad had a sour look on his face, which I supposed wasn’t entirely unusual.
“How was it?” He raised a brow at me, and I knew what exactly he was asking.
“It went well. I wasn’t looking over my shoulder every five seconds.” The slightest relief covered his face, but I knew that would be the most I would get from him. I, however, was proud of myself for going into a public place alone.
“A boy just came out of the store. Do you know him?” Dad’s tone was…odd, as he changed the subject abruptly. Perhaps his tone was also angry, but there was something else there that I couldn’t decipher.
“Did you speak to him?” I asked, panicked. My dad wasn’t particularly protective of me, but he could scare off a lion with just a look.
“No, but I asked you a question. Do you know him?” I understood then that he wasn’t asking because he was concerned that something had happened. He cared for a different reason I couldn’t quite understand. It was something in the edge of his tone, as if he knew Lukas and personally hated him.
I took a step back, looking away. “We go to school together, but I barely know him.”
“Keep it that way. He is not someone I would ever allow you to associate yourself with, Elsie.” Father was already walking down the street, past the cafe he’d been in and the bookstore I’d just left.
I assumed we were done with our Saturday outing and that he was taking us back to the car, even though I’d asked if we could venture farther into town to a clothing store. But I would not argue.
Not about the store, and certainly not about Lukas.