Page 19

I laugh so hard I almost drop my helmet. “Competition?”

“Absolutely.” His arm wraps around my shoulders as he guides me toward the entrance.

“Let's go meet all the fictional men setting unrealistic expectations for the rest of us.”

“Dami?”

“Yeah?”

“There’s no competition when it comes to you.” I pull him in for a soft kiss.

“Good to know.” He smiles against my lips.

And just like that, I know this is going to be one of those days I'll remember forever.

The second we walk through the doors, I know we're in trouble.

Or rather, my wallet is.

Shelves tower around us, filled with thousands of books, and the smell of paper and ink wraps around me like a hug. There is something about bookstores that makes my soul sing, and as I look around, I can't even decide where to start. There are so many stories waiting for me to get lost in.

I sigh happily.

“Heaven,” I whisper.

Damiano laughs. “You really are a nerd.”

I gasp. “I’m a bookworm.”

“What's the difference?”

“Trust me, there is a big difference. I can’t talk about quantum physics, but ask me about character arcs and plot twists and you’ll have a three-hour conversation on your hands.”

He rolls his eyes.

I abandon him immediately.

One minute I'm standing beside him.

The next I'm halfway across the store.

“Oh!” I grab a copy of a new romance novel and immediately turn it over to read the synopsis.

Five minutes later, I have three books tucked against my chest.

Ten minutes later, I have six.

“Eleonora.”

I look up.

Damiano is standing at the end of the aisle watching me. His arms crossed. A smile tugging at his lips.

“What?”

“You realize you've been talking to yourself for the last twenty minutes?”

I blink.