There was a lot to do today, so I quickly brushed my teeth, threw on my jeans and favorite blue sweater, and headed out.
On my way, I swung by Mrs. Green’s. I had promised to pick up the miracle cat food she claimed made Fluffles age backward. The store was twelve blocks away, and since her hip surgery,she couldn’t go there herself. In exchange, I had to accept her cookies and an exceptionally long hug.
I stopped at O’Riley’s for coffee and grabbed one for Ernesto as well. I dropped off the book I’d promised Thomas’s daughter last time and took the last cherry doughnut.
Keane blasted through my headphones as I walked through the fresh spring air toward the bookstore. It always made me a little sad. My mom loved Keane. We had always planned to see them live someday, but life got in the way.
Passing through Central Park, bittersweet memories of my time with her flooded my mind. But at the end of the day, I was always left with love despite the painful sting in my heart.
Before I even opened the door, Ernesto was already smiling through the window.
“Hey, got you some coffee.” I handed him the cup and glanced at the madness on the floor. Tens of boxes filled with freshly delivered books. I was so gonna smell them all. Were you even allowed to read books if you didn’t enjoy smelling them in secret?
“Oh, thanks. As you can see, I need all the help I can get today. Caffeinated and non-caffeinated.”
We chatted for a few minutes before I dove in. He explained the process of unboxing, registering, and shelving the books. It took me longer than it should have since I had to inspect each one for my own enjoyment. Three hours later, I’ve gotten faster, folding and stacking boxes in the corner.
I slid the last books into place and spun too fast, not watching where I was going. I collided hard with a broad chest, the impact stealing my breath and forcing my eyes shut. A warm rush of cinnamon and earth flooded over me, like the hush of old forest paths where time never seemed to move. Then a hand. Strong yet unhurried, resting lightly on my side, holding me steady.Somewhere through the haze, a low, velvet voice edged with concern asked, “Are you okay?”
Had I blacked out? Was I low on sugar? Had I eaten anything besides the liquid coffee breakfast? Someone was touching me, barely. But it had been so long since anyone had held me like that. And it felt... comforting. Like safety I didn’t know I needed.
I shook myself out of it and looked up, locking eyes with the man who’d somehow caused this quiet longing. Dark brown eyes, with a hint of amber around the pupil, were so warm and inviting that I got lost for a moment.
“You look like fall,” I blurted before realizing how foolish it sounded.
I let my gaze sweep over him, surprised these eyes belonged to Luke. Without thinking, I flashed him a big smile. He kept studying me with that same intense curiosity, like he was trying to solve a puzzle I didn’t have the pieces for. But there wasn’t much to solve, really. I was an open book to most.
“You look like the sea,” he said, his hand still on me, growing warmer by the second, matching the slow burn in my chest and cheeks.
“Well, I love the sea,” I replied, trying to play it off. I really did. A walk in the woods and a swim in the sea were where I felt most at peace. Like the world paused just long enough for me to breathe.
“Then you should come,” he said instantly. I blinked, needing a second to catch up before stepping back toward the books I’d been sorting.
“Oh, c’mon, not this again.” The truth was, I did want to go, but it felt wrong. I was nobody to him. Certainly not someone worth offering something this big.
“It’s not just about that, Hazel. I need your help. I know it was my mistake to bring you into this, but it just happened, andthe vacation is just a side benefit you won’t admit you need. But you do. Please.”
“Why me?” I asked, turning to meet his eyes.
He paused. A rare, uncharacteristic stillness.
“Because... you’re good company.”
I hadn’t expected that.
“Luke, I thought that for the short time we’ve known each other, you’d know me a little better. I’m not that kind of girl. I’m not going to sleep with you just because we’re on a trip. I’m notthatkind of company.”
“No, Hazel, I didn’t mean it like that. You’re actually a nice person. People like being around you. It’s not that you’re beautiful,” he smiled, realizing his slip. “I mean, you are, but it’s more than that. You’re interesting. You have real opinions. You’re a friend. You’re... good company.”
Damn, that was unexpectedly sweet. It caught me off guard. I felt the heat rise to my cheeks and had no idea what to say. But he kept going.
“I might come off as a cocky jerk sometimes, but my friends? They’re everything to me. My chosen family.” My heart skipped a beat. Chosen family. Like Mady was to me. “They’re good people. We go on these trips every year—mostly guys—but they’re the best. And I really think being around them, being in that kind of space, could be good for you, too. You know? To be in good company, in a sunny place.” He seemed a bit uncomfortable with his sincerity. “In flip-flops,” he added, making me smile.
The silence afterward felt heavy. I searched for a reason—anyreason—to say no. For his sake. For mine. But I couldn’t find one.
I crossed my arms, trying to keep my face unreadable as I looked at him. “You really think I’d be a good guide?” I asked, mostly to fill the silence while my brain spun in circles.
“I think you’d be the best part of the trip,” he said, too quickly, like it slipped out before he could reel it back. For a second, I couldn’t tell if he was flirting, being sweet, or joking. Either way, it messed with my head.
