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“You want some ice cream?” Cody glanced back over to where Reuben was sitting with his usual pile of books. “Does he actually buy stuff, or just sit and read like you’re a library?”
“He buys things. Please don’t worry about it. I have it under control.”
Cody gave me a long, measuring look before he nodded slowly. “All right. Ice cream?”
It might be the last day of October, but it was sunny and clear and we were expected to hit the upper seventies. Of course, I didn’t know for myself. I kept the bookstore the same comfortable seventy-three degrees year-round. On the other hand? When was ice cream bad?
“Sure.”
“Flavor?”
“Surprise me.”
He flashed a grin, leaned in for another quick kiss, and headed toward the door. He glanced over his shoulder as he opened it. “Be right back.”
A tiny, contented sigh escaped as I watched Cody through the front windows.
“How cozy.” Reuben’s voice was full of snark and poison as he set three books down on the counter with more force than required.
I reached for the books. “Did you find everything you need?”
He grunted.
I took it as a yes and scanned the books before putting them into a bag and adding a couple more pieces of candy. I told Reuben the total and waited for him to push his credit card into the appropriate slot. When he finally did, I finished the transaction and offered him the bag of books with a smile. “Thanks. Have a good day.”
“Yeah. Okay. Whatever.” Bag in hand, Reuben stormed to the door and out, heading in the opposite direction of Cody.
I blew out a breath and hurried to the back room to get the restock of the trick-or-treat books.
No one came in while Cody and I ate our ice cream, but shortly after we finished, a steady stream of parents and their dressed-up kiddos began. I was happy to participate in the trick or treating in downtown that families did. It was a good way to entice people through the doors—remind them that they had a bookstore within easy reach.
Cody was a big help. He refilled the candy bowl, helped answer questions and steer people toward the genres they were interested in. I hadn’t realized he knew even the basic layout of the shop—but he got it right more than he got it wrong.
Around six, there was a lull.
I glanced at him. “If you want a job, you’re hired.”
He laughed. “This is fun. I see why you do it. You want dinner?”
“I really do.” The ice cream had worn off and now my stomach was rumbling. Quietly, for now, but I knew it wouldn’t stay that way.
“Preference?”
“Mia’s?” It was walkable, and who didn’t love Italian food? Plus, it’d be just as tasty cold if there was a sudden influx of customers that kept me from getting to it in a timely manner. Maybe that wasn’t super likely, but it paid to plan ahead.
“Done. Back in a few.”
This time, Cody’s kiss was far from perfunctory. He wiggled his eyebrows at me when he pulled away and started toward the door, whistling. He held it for the costumed family that was headed for the bookstore.
At least I wasn’t going to be bored while I waited for dinner.
“Well, well. What did I miss?” Whitney’s voice came from behind the plastic She-Hulk mask. She flipped it up and pointed a finger at me. “Leave town for a month and suddenly your friend is exchanging steamy kisses with another friend?”
“Whit.” Scott flipped up his Red Hulk mask and nudged her in the side with his elbow. He looked at me. “Don’t mind her; she doesn’t read her texts.”
Whitney frowned. “I got a text about this?”
Scott shook his head. “Fill her in. I’ve got Beck.”
