Page 17 of Crazy in Love

“Don’t act so surprised. I’m full of ’em. Seriously, though. Call me if you need a ride home.”

She left to help the customer, and he limped outside into the cloudless late-August day. Relaxing wasn’t his forte, but his leghurt too much to walk home, and his pride hurt too much to ask for a ride. So, sit and chill, he would try.

He sat gingerly on the first park bench he came across, heaving a sigh of relief that he’d made it. The time it took to drink his coffee would be the perfect amount of rest.

Thirty minutes later, his cup was empty, and he’d tired of doom scrolling on social media. The thought of walking all the way back to Tess’s was daunting, but the pain had eased enough that it should be doable. As he stood, he noticed a store on Main Street he’d never seen before, a bookstore. Page Turners.

A good book was just what he needed. Maybe even two. He got the cane under him, threw the paper cup in the nearest trash can, and headed over to check it out.

Bells tinkled, announcing his entrance. It was about what he expected from a small-town bookstore. Several rows of bookshelves took up most of the space. The perimeter was also lined with shelves, breaking only for a checkout desk. Behind which sat a gray-haired woman, head down, engrossed in a three-inch tome. At the bell chime, she glanced up.

“Hello,” she greeted. “Welcome to Page Turners. Let me know if you have any questions.”

He tipped his head in acknowledgement and went straight to the section marked “Nonfiction.”

“Ruby,” came a voice from down a narrow hallway. “Do we have any big binder clips?”

Nick looked up from the book jacket he was reading as Faith Sullivan glided into the room. Their eyes met, and she abandoned her search for clips.

“Nicky!” She approached him as if going in for a hug. The look on his face deterred her from actually touching him. “I mean Nick,” she said in a deep, serious voice, clearly mocking him.

“Faith. What are you doing here?”

“I work here,” she said.

“I thought you cut hair.”

“She owns the place,” the woman at the counter said without looking away from her book.

Nick raised an eyebrow, and Faith shrugged. “Technically, that’s true, I suppose. It was my mom’s. She left it to me.”

“I was sorry to hear about your mom. I remember her from high school. Everyone loved her.”

“Yes.” Faith nodded. “She was everyone’s favorite.” A hint of sadness skidded over her face, but she rallied quickly and smiled. “So, how’s rooming with Tess?”

“Fine.”

“She can be kind of bossy sometimes,” she stage-whispered behind her hand.

“That is true. Thanks for letting me crash there. It’s nice to have a little quiet time.”

“Is that why you’re looking for a book? Hey. You don’t look so good. Are you all right?”

Sweat broke out on his forehead, and the room began to sway. Or was that him? The pain in his leg had gone from dull to searing. And with no pills to tamp it down, his body was revolting.

“Is there somewhere I could maybe sit for a second?” he asked through gritted teeth.

Alarm flashed in her eyes. He must look as green as he felt. “Ruby, can you bring a—”

That was the last he heard before the ground rushed up to kiss him. Well, that, and the thump of his head hitting the floor.

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Ack!” Faith dove to protect Nick’s head as he sped toward the floor. Crouched by his side, she slapped gently at his cheek. “Nick? Please don’t be dead. Tess will kill me if you’re dead.”

Ruby came out from behind the counter. “What happened?”

“Beats me,” Faith said, laying a hand on Nick’s chest to make sure he was breathing. Thank God he was. “He was fine one second and then turned green and took a header. Nick? Nick, can you hear me?”

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