“I was actually—”
“She was looking for Barton's,” Eveline cut in. “Got lost and ended up demolishing my classic literature display instead.”
“It was an accident,” Emery protested, looking horrifically embarrassed.
“And then she offered to help for the day to make up for it,” Eveline added, unable to keep a hint of amusement from creeping into her voice.
Maya's eyes darted between them, her expression morphing into something that made Eveline instantly wary.
“How fortunate,” Maya said, her voice dripping with suggestion. “For both of you. One might even say it was… fate.”
Abe pushed himself up from his chair. “Well, I should be getting on. My afternoon nap won't take itself.”
“I'll walk you to the door,” Eveline offered, grateful for the excuse to escape Maya's knowing looks.
As she helped Abe with his coat, she glanced back to see Maya chatting with Emery, who was laughing at something the baker had said. There was something natural and effortless about the way Emery engaged with people, drawing them in with her enthusiasm and genuine interest. It was… refreshing.
“Give her a chance,” Abe said, following Eveline's gaze. “She seems like a good sort.”
“She's only here for today,” Eveline reminded him.
Abe patted her arm. “We'll see about that, won't we?” He winked and shuffled out into the afternoon.
Eveline returned to find Maya and Emery deep in conversation about some author or other, with Maya gesturing expansively as she described a particularly romantic scene.
“And then he finally realizes that he's loved her all along,” Maya finished with a dramatic sigh.
“I know, it's beautiful,” Emery agreed.
Eveline cleared her throat. “If you two are quite finished discussing literary clichés, there are actual customers waiting.”
Maya chuckled. “Always so practical.” She sighed. “I should get back to the bakery anyway. The afternoon rush will be starting soon.” She leaned closer to Emery and added in a stage whisper, “Don't let her intimidate you. Her bark is worse than her bite.”
“I heard that,” Eveline said.
“You were meant to, love.” Maya headed for the door, but not before giving Emery a decidedly unsubtle wink that made the younger woman blush furiously.
As the door closed behind Maya, Eveline raised an eyebrow at Emery's flushed face.
“Maya can be a bit… much,” she said.
“She's great,” Emery said, still blushing. “Everyone here is.”
Their eyes met again, and this time Emery didn't look away immediately. Eveline felt an odd flutter in her chest, which she promptly attributed to the rose water pastry she'd just eaten.
“Well,” she said briskly, “we still have half a day to get through. Those romance novels won't shelve themselves, unfortunately.”
Emery's smile was bright enough to rival the sun streaming through the windows. “Lead the way.”
???
Emery arranged a stack of new arrivals, her mind racing. Maya had seen right through her. That knowing wink had confirmed it, the woman had some kind of superhuman abilityto detect attraction. Because there was no denying it now, even to herself. She was absolutely, undeniably attracted to Eveline.
Which was patently ridiculous. She'd known the woman for all of three hours. And yet, every time Eveline's French accent became more noticeable because she was irritated, or when she pushed that stubborn strand of hair behind her ear, or when her lips curved into a reluctant smile at something a customer said… Emery felt it like a physical pull.
She groaned. Jax was going to love this. Her perpetually single friend, who could barely order coffee without causing a minor disaster, falling for the most elegant, sophisticated bookshop owner in London, who just happened to despise romance novels.
If this were one of her books, Emery would be writing about the electricity between them, the lingering glances, the inevitable moment when their hands would touch over a rare first edition. But this wasn't fiction. This was Emery Parker's actual life, which meant she'd probably knock over another display, or spill tea on Eveline's pristine white shirt, or say something monumentally stupid before the day was over.
