Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
My stomach growled like a dog at a cat party.
I hadn’t even realized it was almost time for lunch.
After checking to see that the tree was properly decorated, the stage set, and everything ready for the lighting ceremony tonight, I’d come back to the office and worked my fingers to the bone.
Our numbers looked great. We had a lot of interest drummed up for tonight.
Pleased, I sat back in the chair and thought about what I wanted to do for my lunch break.
I’d finished the mystery novel I’d been reading, which was as good of an excuse as any to visit Snow Village Books—and its owner. I stopped by the restroom to fix my lipstick and check that everything else looked presentable in the mirror. Then I grabbed my bag and headed out.
Snow Village Books had the cutest window display. New releases were snuggled in the snow slash cotton balls. Stars and colored lights hung down from the sky slash top of the window. And a small menorah sat surrounded by Hanukkah children’s books. It was, all in all, festive and delightful.
The inside was even better. First, the scent.
I’d always loved the smell of new books, but here it was mixed with balsam and pine.
Even better. A stocking was pinned to the end of each aisle, and they’d obviously been decorated by children.
The centerpiece of the store was a six-foot-tall Christmas tree made of books.
I circled it in awe, wondering how long it took to create the arrangement.
“Can I help—” Ellison came out of an aisle and stopped short. “Oh, Kelsey.”
Thankfully, I heard no disappointment in his voice. Only surprise. I didn’t know what to expect after yesterday’s debacle. He wore khakis and a flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up. I found myself gazing at his forearms.
Focus, Kelsey. I pointed at the book tree. “This is amazing.”
He puffed up with pride. “I got the idea from Pinterest.”
I smirked. “Did you now?”
He gave me one of his slow grins. “See? I know websites and stuff.”
I did my best to hold back a giggle. “Color me impressed.”
He folded his arms over his broad chest and leaned against the nearest shelf with a casual confidence that made my heart skip a beat.
“So why are you in my lovely establishment today?” he asked.
“Two reasons.” I held up two fingers, in case neither of us could count. “First, I wanted to thank you for helping me during yesterday’s disaster.”
“That was Santa Claus. Not me,” he said with a wink.
I gave a sharp laugh. “Well, if you see Santa, please tell him that I was about to have a mental breakdown with everyone staring at me. So, when he regained control of the situation, I found it very helpful. And I appreciated that.”
“I will tell him.” His smile faltered as his expression turned serious. “I’m sorry that happened. What a mess. Did Carol kick her out of town?”
“No, surprisingly. She wanted Isabella to finish out her contract, which ends after the tree-lighting ceremony tonight. But apparently Isabella left town anyway. Carol hasn’t seen her. She’s not responding to messages. And she hasn’t posted since yesterday.”
He shrugged his broad shoulders. “Probably for the best.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“And, may I ask, are you in trouble with Carol?”
I heaved a breath. “I think I’m on thin ice, so to speak.”
“That’ll thicken up before you know it,” he said confidently.
I only wish I felt as sure. I let my eyes roam the store. “I hope so. I wouldn’t want to leave now that I’ve … met so many wonderful people.” I brought my gaze back to his.
A long pause followed.
“Two?” he prompted at last.
Panic fluttered in my chest. Two what? Did he think I meant two people? Isabella had mentioned Aaron as well during her tirade. He must have heard that.
At my obvious confusion, Ellison elaborated. “You said you had two reasons for coming to the store today.”
“Oh! Of course. Yeah.” I took a moment to reset my brain. “Reason number two is that I need a new book.”
“Now that is something I’d love to help with.” He clapped his hands together and stepped closer to me. “What do you like to read?”
I ticked off on my fingers. “Romance. Mystery. Horror. Comedy.” I raised an eyebrow in challenge. “Got anything that’s all four?”
He gave me a long look and asked, his voice deep and low, “You’re not going to make it easy for me, are you?”
Suddenly, I wasn’t quite sure we were talking about books. “Yesterday, during the argument, Isabella said that when she was here you asked about me.”
His eyes locked onto mine. “Do you mind if I did?”
“No,” I said honestly. If I hadn’t been in the middle of my second biggest career disaster to date, I would have been immensely flattered. “But I’m curious to know what you asked.”
He gave me a small shrug. “The typical things. How long you’ve worked together. What it was like to work with you. Have you always been this ugly.”
A laugh escaped from my lips. “I bet I would have known her answer to that last one.”
“It became clear that she wasn’t your biggest fan,” he admitted. “I chalked it up to jealousy.”
I snorted. “That would be flattering, but I think it was more of a general psychosis.”
He grinned, then turned around and sauntered away.
As much as I appreciated that view, I immediately missed his closeness.
We hadn’t even been touching, but it still felt like an absence when he walked off.
I couldn’t understand how I felt about this man I barely knew.
Any time I saw him, I wanted to be near him. I felt pulled to him.
“Found it!” He popped out of an aisle, a paperback book held high.
“What’s that?” I asked, breathing easier now that he was back by my side.
“It’s the perfect book for you. A real genre-bender.”
I took it from his hand, and our fingers brushed against each other. It was only the slightest touch, but it felt electric. Heat creeped up my neck and into my cheeks. I pulled the book to my chest and cradled it like an invaluable object.
“Ring me up,” I whispered.
“You’re not even going to read the back?” he asked, eyebrows raised.
“I trust you.”
His smile widened. “That’s good to know.”
I followed him to the register, even more impressed as I saw the entire store. “Did you run a bookstore in your last town too?”
His easy demeanor vanished as his face shut down. He punched a few buttons and announced. “Nine dollars.”
This dude really did not like to talk about his past. I should have gotten the hint, but for some reason it made me want to know even more.
I slid my credit card through the reader, the little beep too loud in the quiet moment. He bagged the book with practiced hands, folding the top of the paper bag just so.
I glanced at my phone. I only had time to grab a quick sandwich and bring it back to my desk. Today was not the day to test how thin my ice was with Carol. But, still, I wanted more time with him. I want to dig into that closed-off part of him.
“I’m heading to Holly’s next,” I said, trying to sound casual. “For lunch. Would you … want to join?”
His blue eyes lifted to mine, the spark I loved flickering back into them. “I would, but I can’t. Alma’s day off.”
Damn it, Alma.
As if summoned by the crushed little hopes, the bell above his door jingled as a pair of customers strolled in.
“Okay, well, some other time,” I said, walking backward. I didn’t know why this man had me so flustered. But even the smallest amount of time spent with him made me feel lit up from within. He was healing a heart he didn’t break, and soon I’d be ready to move forward.
He smiled coyly. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
I racked my brain and came up with nothing. “Am I?”
He held up a little bag with the Snow Village Books logo. “Your book.”
“Oh!” I dashed forward and grabbed it out of his hand. “Thanks.”
A middle-aged mom stepped between us. “Do you have that new book with the white cover and the thing on it? It might be a flower. Or a chair.”
I took the opportunity to run out of there like the building was on fire. Thank you, Queen of Vague Descriptions.
Once I was back on the sidewalk, I immediately felt better. The crisp air cooled my fevered cheeks. It was for the best that he couldn’t join me for lunch. I shouldn’t take too much time off, especially not today.
But before I could start to feel too normal, I got a tingly feeling at the back of my neck. Someone was watching me. I slowly risked a glance over my right shoulder, hoping and praying it was only my imagination and that creepy trucker hat guy wasn’t behind me.
He wasn’t.
But someone was.
Susie, Ellison’s ex, glowered at me from across the street. What the hell? Did she stake out his bookstore all day to see who went in and out? Or was she following me?
I shook it off and started the quick walk to Holly’s Bakery. I shouldn’t let my imagination run away from me. Just because Susie had been standing there looking like a stalker, that didn’t mean she was one. She could have just walked out of a store herself, seen me, and cast a nasty look.
But as I walked into Holly’s and joined the ordering line, she followed me.
I tried not to overreact. Maybe she coincidentally wanted the same thing for lunch at the same time.
I kept my eyes forward, pretending to be deeply invested in today’s specials on the blackboard.
I would not engage. I would not turn around.
I would not give her the satisfaction of knowing she’d rattled me.
But then she tapped on my shoulder.
I turned around and plastered on a fake smile. “Susie! Good to see you again.” Up close, she truly was beautiful, with flawless skin and a perfectly up-tipped nose.
“Are you dating him?” she asked, her voice low.
I looked around the café, like my mystery boyfriend was in here. “Who?”
“You know who,” she said. “Don’t play games with me.”
“I’m not dating anyone right now,” I said, emphasis on the last two words.
She took a step closer, completely invading my personal space. “Can I give you a piece of advice? Woman to woman?”
“Can I say no?” I deadpanned.
She scowled. “Good luck with him. You may be drawn in now. I remember how it was. A handsome face with a mysterious past. It’s intoxicating. But it’s not worth it.”
My stomach clenched. Her description did sound very familiar. But Ellison and I were not Ellison and Susie. “Your relationship with Ellison is really none of my business,” I said gently.
“You’re right. But I’m just warning you. You’ll never get past those walls. He will never let you in.”
I tried to keep my expression flat. I didn’t want her to know she’d hit on the one flaw I’d managed to find in him. “Thank you for your concern.”
My heart sped up, and I’d started to sweat. This was giving me flashbacks from yesterday. I didn’t want to make another scene in a public place. I couldn’t handle that.
“Thanks again,” I said, my voice cracking. “Have a great day.”
I turned around, hoping she wouldn’t continue spewing dark things about Ellison at my back. Thankfully it was my turn to order.
Holly raised her eyebrows. “Making friends, I see.”
“Not quite yet.” I managed a smile. “Give me time.”
“Don’t let her bother you. The tree is on, but half the lights are burnt out, if you get what I’m saying.” She made a twirling motion in the air with her finger pointed at her temple.
I was taken aback. Was Holly saying this right in front of Susie?
Holly definitely seemed the type not to care what others thought, but damn, girl.
I glanced over my shoulder, ready to see smoke coming out of Susie’s ears, but she was gone.
She’d apparently left when I’d turned my back to her.
Which meant she’d had no intentions of ordering after all.
She’d come in here for one reason only. To warn me.