“Especially the products from the science fiction section.”She pointed at the tome on the desk.
“The best section.”
“Unless you read mysteries or romance or?—”
“Okay, okay.”He laughed and swept her into a hug.“What brings you by?”he murmured in her ear.The sensation of his lips so close to her neck made her warm down to her toes.Six weeks ago, she’d been irritated by the gruff bookstore owner who complained about cats.And now?She welcomed the way he held her in his strong arms.She felt safe there.
“I brought Charlotte, and now I’m off to the parent–teacher meeting to give my talk.
“Right.I thought that was tomorrow.”
“You’re still in whatever world that is.”She pointed at the book.
His gaze flitted back to the book.“Possibly, but I like returning from there to Sunshine Bay for a bit if it means spending time with you.”His gaze returned to her face, and she swallowed.How was it that he always managed to turn her insides to liquid?She wanted to reach up, pull him down for a long kiss, and stay in his arms.The alarm on her watch reminded her that she had to come back from her brief fantasy, and she reached to turn off the offending noise.
“I shouldn’t be more than an hour.Would you like to grab dinner at the bistro after that?I need to talk to Esther about the Pages and Paws adoption event.She’s offered to organize putting up flyers with the other merchants.Their monthly meeting is tomorrow.”
“So it is,” he said.“I’ll be at the meeting too.I’m sure it’ll be a successful event.You’ve put in so much work.”
“It hasn’t hurt that you’re supporting the event.And cute cats do draw a crowd,” she teased.Only a month earlier, the Pages and Paws event was the last thing Lance had wanted.
“Increased sales are definitely a perk.Do you want me to meet you at the Whisk?Or will I see you back here?”
She watched his eyes stray to the book on his desk and smiled.“I’ll meet you back here.I’m sure you can amuse yourself if I run a bit late.”
He grinned.“Thanks.I just got to a good part.”He pulled her close to give her one of those kisses that always took her breath away for a moment.“Good luck at the meeting, though I doubt you’ll need it.Once you get talking about cats, everyone wants one.”
She reached her arms around him and gave him one last hug before leaving, feeling his strength and his kindness.This man was becoming an indispensable part of her life, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about it.
After being a lone parent for more than twenty years, it was strange to rely on anyone else.Especially a man.But it was very pleasant to have someone to hug.
“I should go.See you in a bit.”
“Looking forward to it.”He waited for her to leave before returning to his book.Which, to her, showed great restraint.She knew how much Lance loved his sci-fi.
ChapterTwo
Sarah King climbed out of her trusty hybrid and hurried into the house, grateful to shed her pumps the moment she crossed the threshold.
“Hi, Mom,” she called, kicking her shoes into the corner of the hall closet.“I’m going to get changed and I’ll be down in a minute.”She climbed up the stairs and away from the inviting scent of lasagna that beckoned from the kitchen.Her stomach growled.
“Is Riley home?”she asked, passing her daughter’s bedroom.
“I’m here, Mom.”The eleven-year-old stepped out, her brown eyes bright.
“Hi, honey.”She pulled her daughter into a quick hug.“How was school?”
“Fine.Can we go to the bookstore next Saturday?”
“Um, maybe.”Sarah’s mind was already racing, trying to remember if the jeans she wanted were in her closet or still in the laundry.
“But—” her daughter began, her eyes pleading.
“Right now, I have to get ready for the parent–teacher meeting at school.”
“But—”
“If I can’t take you, perhaps Grandma can.”
