Page 35 of This Feeling

I walked back to them. “By law, you cannot ask a person what their disability is, Mrs. Stark. As Officer Quinn said, just because you can’t see it, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. And honestly, I’m a bit surprised you’re behaving this way. Doesn’t your son have seizures? A disability others can’t see?”

Her mouth opened, then quickly snapped shut. I’d only known that detail about her son because I went to high school with him.

Clearing her throat, Betty Lou forced herself to smile. “You gentlemen have a good day.”

She turned on her heels and quickly walked down Main Street.

“I forgot her son had seizures. He was a few years ahead of me.”

Once Betty Lou turned the corner, I faced Gavin. “My first day isn’t turning out the way I thought it would.”

He laughed…but the sound cut off quickly. “Is that the guy you saw the other day? Looking into the bookstore again?”

Turning, I quickly started that way when I noticed it was him. He was pacing the alley next to the bookstore. “Yeah, it is.”

He was still standing there when we walked up.

“Is there something we can help you with?” Gavin asked.

He smiled. “No, I’m just looking in the window.”

Gavin and I exchanged looks.

“Why?” I asked.

His cheeks turned bright red. “Lou works here.”

“And you know her how…?” Gavin asked.

The kid looked back to the window. “I’m kind of embarrassed to admit this, but…she used to date my best friend. They broke up, and I’ve been working up the courage to ask her out.”

Gavin grinned as I forced myself not to roll my eyes.

“You realize you’re making yourself look like a stalker,” I said, folding my arms over my chest. It was hard to do with the vest and gear on, but I forced myself to do it anyway.

Gavin laughed. “Jesus, Declan, slow your roll down.”

His eyes went wide. “A stalker? No! I’m not stalking her. Or anyone! I’m just trying to work up the courage to go in.”

I sighed. “You just walk in, go up to her, and say, ‘Lou, I want to take you out on a date.’”

It was then I realized I was giving advice that I hadn’t followed myself when it came to Harper.

“Holy shit, when was the last time you asked a woman out, Declan?” Gavin asked. “That isnotthe way to do it.”

“Yeah, I’ve got to agree with him,” the kid said.

I huffed. “What do you know? You can’t even bring yourself to walk into the bookstore.”

“That’s because I like her so much! Haven’t you ever been nervous about asking a girl out?”

I wasn’t about to tell him yes. So I lied. “No.”

“I have,” Gavin injected. “Asked a girl out one time and was shot down so hard, I was left scarred.”

The kid’s eyes went wide with worry. “See? That’s why I can’t do it.”

He looked back to the window, then at us. “I’ve got an idea! Why don’tyouguys go in and maybe mention me, and see what she says.”

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