Page 9 of Head Over Heels

"It's addressed to you." She hands me the note and a business card.

It is, indeed, a professional note addressed to me—by name—from a woman named Donna. She's been cleaning the place for years, and will continue to clean twice a week until she hears from me with further instructions. I pocket the note. I'll contact her later.

"Come here." Renna's voice echoes from down the hall. "You've got to see this."

Mel and I follow her into a sprawling library. Floor-to-ceiling shelves line three walls. My eyes are drawn to the view of the city through the wall of windows.

I head toward the view, but Mel catches my arm. "Jos. Look at his books."

I scan the shelves. The collection is staggering. Museum-quality special editions, rare first editions, classics, and shelves of carefully preserved literary fiction. And a full shelf of detective novels. "What a strange collection," I murmur under my breath.

Mel makes that weird throaty noise, the one she makes when she's worried. "Josie. Look."

I step closer. One entire shelf holds copies of almost every book I own. At eye level sits a row of candid photos of me—snapshots spanning the last thirty years.

I blink hard.

It's impossible that someone has the same reading tastes as I do. I read quite a bit, and while I enjoy a good fiction book—and I read a lot of literature—I have a secret love of sapphic romance books. Which shouldn't be surprising, seeing as I've been in love with the woman in front of me for nearly two decades and haven't been able to act on it.

A lot of people live vicariously through books.

I look closer at the titles and a cold feeling runs down my spine.

This isn't coincidence. These aren't just similar books—they're exact matches. Down to the same editions. I pull out one of myfavorites.Sunshine Falls.Same cover art. Same edition I bought last month

I flip through it. Untouched. "It doesn't look like any of these have been read," I say, trying to keep my voice steady. "It wouldn't take a lot to find my Insta book club." I swallow hard, the words feeling hollow.

Renna comes up behind us. "Even the newest ones. That's creepy as fuck."

Mel gives her a sharp look. "It's… disconcerting," she says gently. "I'm sure there's a rational explanation."

I try to shrug off the uneasy feeling, but it makes my skin crawl. The careful arrangement of the books—in perfect chronological order, following my reading habits down to the book—it speaks of an attention to detail that goes way beyond casual interest.

I take a deep breath.Focus."Do you think there's anything I could sell to help me come up with the money?"

I asked Mom and Dad last night at dinner if I could borrow the money, and Mom shut the idea down without discussion. She told me to let it go. Get on with my life. It'sdirty money.Whatever that means. When I asked Dad later, he shrugged and just said he'd support Mom's wishes.

I wish I could help," Renna says quietly. "Almost all of my money is tied up in property or long-term investments."

I force a smile. "I'll figure something out. Don't worry."

I have no idea how, but it's not her problem.

"If I were you," Mel says thoughtfully, "I'd get an expert in here. Some of the art on these walls could be worth six figures. The vases, the sculptures, even some of the books might sell for thousands. The room full of coins upstairs belongs in a museum. It looks like your grandfather knew what he was investing in."

I nod slowly. Another thing to add to my ever-growing list. I guess I have the time, now that Mel's is taken up with Renna.

Later, at home alone, I openHer,the lesbian dating app that Ruby suggested. She was always good for a physical release while I was hooked on Mel, but she's pushing me to look for something real, now that Mel isn't the center of my universe.

I scroll aimlessly, pausing on a profile with no picture. Somehow, that intrigues me. The bio is short, professional—almost clinical.Looking for companionship. Open to connection. Prefer privacy until trust is established.

She sounds right up my alley.

NotNeurotic: Why is the mystery woman looking for companionship?

IcyBoss: I need someone to spend time with. I'm tired of being a loner.

NotNeurotic: Why are you hiding then?

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