“Four?”
I raised a hand in goodbye. “See you then.”
When I hit the sidewalk outside Village Books, Daisy called out. “Hey, Emma!” She wore jeans and a white peacoat, unbuttoned to reveal an emerald-green blouse with miniature white polka dots. Her blond hair lifted on the breeze. “How’s the transition to eighteen-fifties spinster coming along?”
I held the door for her to pass, and we made our way through the shop to the class area in back. “Not great.”
She laughed. “How’s everything else?”
My thoughts drifted to the conversation between Davis and Carter, then to my letter from Forever Yours and the small gift I’d left for Davis and Violet. “Complicated.”
Was Forever Yours in this class? Would Davis think my little surprise was too much? Was I trying too hard? Could he save the manor and bookstore?
Daisy nudged me with her elbow a few moments later. “Emma?”
“Hmm?”
“I asked who your letters were for,” she said, casting a look at the envelopes in my hand. “But I can see you’re not quite awake. Relatable.”
I smiled, as if she’d guessed my problem correctly, then motioned to the refreshments table. “Can I get you a coffee?”
Daisy lifted the giant hot-pink travel cup in her hand and wiggled it gently. “You’d better pour yourself two.”
I set my things on the table, then went to grab a drink.
“Hey, Emma,” Michael said, refilling the water pitcher. “Good game the other night.”
“It was,” I said. “Do you happen to have season passes?”
He stilled, brows uncharacteristically furrowed. “I do. Why?”
I bit my lip, unsure how to ask if he was my online friend, Historically_Bookish, without sounding ridiculous if I was wrong. “Do you like wings?”
Michael made a goofy face. “Of course.” He set a hand on one hip and cocked his head like a cop in a crime show, homing in on evidence. “Are you trying to ask me out? Because I’d love to, but only if my girlfriend can come along. She hates to be left out.” He cracked up and relaxed his stance. “I’m kidding. What’s up? Really? Need a recipe? I hear you’re delivering baked goods all over town. I’m actually a little jealous about that.”
I had no idea how to respond. Was he only joking about the date, or was he also joking about having a girlfriend? “Do you ever post on IBOOM?” I blurted, throwing the question into the air. There were too many mysteries in my life at the moment, including who wrote the letter signed as Forever Yours. At least I could get an answer on the person behind Historically_Bookish, even if I sounded a little silly asking.
Michael stilled. “Sometimes. Why?”
A customer set a pile of books on the counter beside his register, and he turned in her direction.
I marched dutifully to class. What was I supposed to do with his answer? The handle was available to all employees, but who used it most?
Paul’s cheerful voice turned my head. He shook hands and exchanged waves with a number of classmates, then greeted Grace with a kiss on her cheek.
“Good morning,” Paul said brightly. “Hi, Emma. How’s Cecily doing? She made it home safely?”
“She did,” I said. “She had a really nice visit. I think she’ll come again as soon as she can.”
“Glad to hear it,” he said. I smiled. Paul was kind and easy to be around. His letters brightened my days.
My cheeks heated as he watched me, and I wondered if I had a little crush on him.
I spent so much time thinking about Emily and Davis, my family and the bookstore, plus a myriad of other things. Did I somehow overlook the guy standing in front of me?
“Careful, Rini,” he said. “You appear to be blushing.”
Daisy’s face jerked in my direction, lips parted with interest.
