Page 69 of Here & Now

She recognized a book her mom had read, so she picked up the title beside it and added it to the basket.

Another clerk approached her and said, “Don’t forget to check out our sale tables out back.”

“I will,” she said and smiled. After the clerk moved off, she decided she’d write an article about this bookstore and the wonderful people who worked here.

On her way to the back of the store, she saw a flash of yellow as somebody ducked outside. She wasn’t sure, but she thought the person had on a Sanibel Outfitters T-shirt like the one she’d seen Zane wear. Probably a tourist who’s been to his store.

She opened the back door and went outside to browse the sale tables. Several people were milling about, and suddenly they parted, revealing the wearer of the bright yellow shirt. Zane.

She froze, feeling like she was in a movie scene where everyone moved around in a fog except for the main character, who stood out in stark relief. What was he doing there? It didn’t matter because she wasn’t going to stick around and find out. She abruptly turned to go back into the store.

“Bree, wait!”

The other customers stared at her, and she froze again. She was not the type who enjoyed being the center of attention. The next thing she knew, he was by her side.

Since they were blocking the door, she moved off to the side, and he followed. Then she turned and faced him, holding the basket of books in front of her like a shield. “What are you doing here?” she hissed.

He raised his eyebrows. “Buying books?”

From the way he said it, she knew that wasn’t the real reason.

“Did you follow me?”

He made a face. “Sort of.”

Disgruntled, she shook her head.

“Just hear me out, please.”

“Why should I?” She tried to keep her voice down, knowing they had an audience.

“Whatever you think I said to Kayla, you’re wrong,” he blurted out. “I told her I’d only been inside your grandparents’ house briefly but it was cozy and charming.”

“Are you sure you didn’t say old and outdated?”

“Absolutely not. I don’t know where she got that idea, but it wasn’t from me.”

She studied him closely, and he stared back at her.

“I never would have recommended Kayla if I’d known she was going to offend you.”

“According to her, it was the other way around.”

His lips curved up at the edges. “I’m sure you put her in her place.”

“I did.”

He smiled fully that time.

“I might have ruined your chances with her.”

“I’m not interested in Kayla.”

He gazed at her so intently that she sucked in a breath, and the basket of books dug into her chest. He glanced into it. “Looks like you’re having some luck shopping.”

He met her gaze again, and his eyes sparkled with amusement.

“It’s not luck. It’s skill.”