3. Dawson
CHAPTER 3
DAWSON
Emmy drops to her knees, her face flaming as she reaches for the books she dropped.
“I’m sorry,” I mutter, immediately kneeling to help. I lunge for the same book as her, and when we both grab it, she finally looks at me.
“I’ve got it,” she says, pulling the book toward her body. Her dark brown hair falls in loose waves around her face, and her blue eyes meet mine defiantly.
She’s still wildly beautiful, dressed in a deep red fall dress that hits just above the knees. There’s an undeniable pull, even after all these years.
She tugs at the book again, and I finally let go.
“What are you doing here?” she says, nearly breathless.
“Dan thought it would be a fun surprise,” I mumble.
Her eyes flick to Dan’s, and she frowns slightly. “Did he now?”
Dan offers an amused grin as he leans against a bookshelf.
“I didn’t know Dan was such a book lover,” she says with a lifted brow. She picks up another book as exhaustion passes over her face.
I stack the rest of the fallen books and hand them to her. “I thought you liked surprises. Weren’t you the one who loved the Harrisons’ Halloween party?”
“That was Dan. He dragged me there, and I hid all night. Don’t you remember?”
“Of course I do,” I say. All too well.
Four years ago, Dan invited me home for fall break, and we ended up at the Harrisons’ Halloween party. I thought Emmy and I had an unforgettable time together, but Emmy doesn’t look like she’s given it much thought.
“It’s been too long since I’ve visited Maple Falls.” I look around, unsure what else to say now that my surprise has backfired. This is definitely not how I imagined things would go when I had the idea to surprise Emmy. I thought she'd be all smiles, but instead, she’s frowning like I just announced I have a bad case of head lice.
“I wasn’t supposed to be the goalie,” I say, desperate to turn things around. “The guy they had lined up backed out at the last minute. Troy Hart asked me to replace him.”
“Good for you,” she says, unimpressed.
“If you have time, I’d love to catch up. Are you busy tonight?” The moment I say it, I wish I could take it back. Not my best work. And judging by Emmy’s surprised look, she now thinks I’m a total creep.
“I’m working tonight. But it’s nice to see you, Dawson.” She whirls aways from me and heads to another aisle.
Dan’s phone rings, and Emmy points him outside.
Dan rolls his eyes. “Be right back.”
When he heads out the door, I pretend to thumb through a book while sneaking glances at Emmy.
She catches me staring. “If you’re looking for thrillers, they’re over there.” She points to a shelf farther back. “Unless you enjoy those kinds of books.” Her mouth quirks as her eyes cut to the novel I’m holding.
That’s when I realize my mistake. I’ve picked out Dare to Woo a Duke, which features a woman in a low-cut gown with gravity-defying cleavage. She’s falling into the arms of a rakish fellow who looks like he’s starving and about to take a bite out of her neck.
Well, this is awkward. I’ve been caught browsing romance novels.
She bites back a smile as I shelve the book.
“Just for the record, I don’t enjoy those books or the Harrisons’ party either,” I say, changing the subject. “The only part I liked was hanging out with you. It was the first time I got to know you outside your family. Like, really know you.”
She was the best part of my weekend. Maybe even my year.
She stops working and looks at me. “Did you ever tell Dan about that night?” she asks casually, but I see her fingers stroking the spine of a book.
I don’t have to ask what she’s referring to. I remember the secret pact we made.
“No,” I say. “Did you?”
She shakes her head, then goes back to shelving books, sending a clear message that she’d rather not talk about that night.
I glance around the store. “I see you’re still taking over the book industry of Maple Falls.”
“Ha. I wish,” she says. “It’s only a matter of time before the Harrisons decide to close this place. Even with me working overtime and increasing our social media, it’s not helping our sales. I’m hoping the hockey games will bring in business. But after that? Can’t say what’s going to happen.”
No wonder she looks so tired. “I’m sorry to hear that. You always loved working here.”
She shrugs. “The job, yes. The Harrisons? Not so much.”
I pick up a book with a cover illustration of a hockey player and a beautiful woman. “Why do hockey players always look like grumps?”
She swipes the book from my hand. “For your information, women like grumpy men in books.”
“Really?” I ask, crinkling my nose. “No wonder I don’t understand women.”
She cracks a grin, making me wish I could do that again. Her smile gives me a dopamine rush.
“Some men could probably learn a few things from this book,” she says. “I’ll never understand why guys like stories where things blow up.”
“Don’t hate us for living out our boyhood fantasies,” I say, making her smile again. I hold up the hockey book. “How much for this?”
She frowns. “You can’t buy that book.”
“It’s for sale, isn’t it? You said guys could pick up a thing or two from it. I need to find out what I’m missing.” I give her a mischievous grin.
Her face heats as she snatches the book away. “I didn’t mean you .”
“Hey, I want to buy that,” I say, pointing at the book.
“Well, you can’t.” She makes a move to spin away, but I'm quicker—I swipe the book and tuck it behind my back. Now, if she wants it back, she’ll have to tackle me or come in for a close hug. And I won’t object to either.
“Listen, Emmy. I don’t see any warnings that say men can’t read this. I want to see what’s so great about this guy.” I point at the sign for their book club meeting. This week they’re discussing a classic book, but the next book in line is the one I’m holding. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll even show up at your book club.”
She smirks. “To attend the meeting, you actually have to read the book.”
I let out a laugh. “You have such little faith in me, Emmy.” I fish out my credit card and set it on the counter. “You said you need more sales. Let me buy the stupid book.”
Her eyes frantically search the store for another option. “I can recommend a thriller for you. One with lots of gratuitous violence and explosions.”
“Because you think I won’t read this one?” I hold up Perfectly Wedded . “Are you challenging me, Emmy?”
She looks between the book and me. “I’m not, Dawson. That comment I made about getting tips from the book wasn’t intended for you. I only meant that some men are lacking in the romance department.”
I give her a smug grin. “That makes me want to read it all the more.” I push my credit card toward her. “What else am I going to do while I’m stuck in Maple Falls?”
“I don’t know. Play hockey?” She says with a wry grin. “I’m sure you’ll be too busy to even crack the spine.” She slides the book across the counter to me.
I arch an eyebrow. “I accept that challenge.” Then I head for the door. “See you at book club.”