"Perfect."
We order our dinner and a couple of fruity cocktails. By the time our food arrives, we're already talking about books we intend to lend each other. Reading lists we want to make for each other. Which stories should be experienced through the book first and then the movie, or vice versa.
I'm impressed that Knox reads such a wide variety of genres. After my third bite of my delicious Hawaiian burger, I say, "You don't look like you'd be into sci-fi. No offence.”
"I'm a small-town boy, " he shrugs. "I'm not one for adventure except in a book.”
"We learn a lot from stepping into the shoes of the characters. Maybe you'll discover someday that you actually want to be a skydiving mountain climbing jewel heist expert."
Knox chuckles, his hand landing on my knee again. Since he said he liked that green dress so much, I'm wearing a similar one today in midnight blue. He uses every opportunity to touch me, and I find myself edging closer and closer on the bench.
"I don't know about pulling off a jewel heist, but I've always wanted to try an escape room. We'll have to go to one sometime."
I love the way he keeps assuming our future is just going to happen.
"The only genre we haven't talked about yet is romance." He squeezes my thigh gently. "Do you read it? Do you like it? Don’t be shy."
I wonder what his point is. "You go first."
"Well… To be honest, yes. When I was twenty, I was staying at my parents’ house for a few days when a blizzard was rolling through. They were away, and they wanted someone there to keep an eye on things."
"And you thought that was a romantic setting and wanted reading material to match?"
He laughs. "No. I was alone. But the TV cut out, and I motored through the three books I’d brought in no time. So I grabbed a book Mom had upstairs."
"And?”
He shrugs. "It was some dark mafia thing. You know – the sweet young woman is married off to the kingpin's enemy tosecure peace between the families. Then she actually falls for him, and he falls right back." There's a naughty sparkle in his deep brown eyes.
"And you loved it.” I laugh. “Or at least, the sexy parts."
He doesn't even blush. “Of course I did! They were hot as hell." His thumb strokes my thigh gently, his feather-light touch making my stomach tremble.
His voice drops. "But what I liked best was how the guy took one look at her and knew she was the one for him. The woman of his dreams.”
My eyes roll. "That’s great in books, but come on… Is it realistic?"
He smiles, a look in his eyes I can't quite place. "We'll discuss this again in a couple of weeks. You'll see, darlin’."
Wow. He’s not teasing. He’s certain.
All this possibility is stirring up a slew of brand-new feelings, especially desire. And hope.
Hope that this time spent on the mountain isn’t going to be just a bunch of family drama, but that it might lead to a shiny new chapter of my life.
5
KNOX
Ilove that Hanna is as obsessed with books as I am, possibly more. I also love that she's so mature for her age. With her poise, I’d have guessed she was at least twenty-seven.
Maybe she's an old soul. I don't usually believe in that stuff, but with Hanna, who knows.
A quick glance around the restaurant confirms we’re being ignored, which is a relief. The beachy theme, especially in this back booth, is kind of romantic.
After we finish our meal, we linger over dessert. Our conversation is interrupted when I stare into Hanna's eyes so long that she blushes.
“What is it?" she finally laughs. "Something in my teeth?"
