Page 37 of Best of Me

Even though I arrive a few minutes early, I find Duke waiting for me near the entrance. “Books, huh? You a big reader?”

“I love it. Probably because fictional characters were the only friends I had growing up.” My cheeks heat with my overshare, but Duke doesn’t seem to mind.

“I’m glad you had at least that.” He places his hand on my lower back and chills ripple through me—how is it that even the simplest touches from him affect me so much? “So, what’s your plan?”

“First, coffee,” I tell him, grabbing his wrist and tugging him toward Oh, Sugar, which is only three stores down. Somehow, we end up walking hand-in-hand like a real couple. The thought makes me giddy.

We take turns ordering at the counter, but when I try to pay, Duke refuses to let me. Coffee in hand, we snag a table in the back. “You wanna tell me what we’re doing now?”

I take a deep sip of my iced Americano before answering. “Okay, you’re probably going to think this is super lame, but I was thinking we could go over to Page After Page after this and do a kind of blind-date-with-a-book thing.”

“A what?”

I bury my face in my hands. “Oh, God, you think it’s totally lame.”

Duke’s warm, rough hands come down on mine, prying my fingers away. “Not at all, Cricket. I’ve just never heard of this book date thing. Explain it to me.”

“Okay. So basically, we’ll split up, and I’ll pick out a book for you to read and you’ll pick one for me. Normally you go in knowing the genre and whatnot, but I figured we could each pick something we like, something that will teach us a little bit more about each other. Does…does that sound okay?”

“Hell yeah. I think that sounds awesome.” My heart soars. “On one condition.” Then, just as quickly, it plummets.

“Wh-what’s that?”

“You let me take you out to dinner after.”

And we’re cleared for takeoff.“I see your dinner offer and would like to counteroffer with takeout at my place and a movie.”

“Only if I get to pick the movie.”

I pretend to think about it for a second, tapping my index finger against my chin. “Deal.”

Inside Page After Page, we go our separate ways. As I peruse the shelves, I can’t help but wonder what he’s going to pick for me. I doubt he’s a romance reader, so who knows how he’ll feel about my selection for him, but this genre has played such a huge part in my life—it’s pretty much all I read.

A lot of people like to tease or belittle women who read romance, but throughout my adolescent and teen years—a time when I needed it the most—romance books gave me hope that one day I, too, could have a happily ever after.

I’m shocked by how diverse their shelves are, with indie and traditional authors sitting side-by-side in equal amounts. The sight makes my heart soar. My eyes about bug out of my head when I see a copy ofDoppelbangerby Heather M. Orgeron. I read this book a year or so ago, and laughed so hard I almost peed myself. It’s one of those books I suggest anytime someone asks for recommendations. I highly doubt it’ll be Duke’s cup of tea, and I can’t wait to see the look on his face when we exchange books.

When I get to the checkout, I’m shocked to find him kicked back in one of the reading chairs near the front window, his bag resting at his feet. “You’re already finished?”

“Oh, yeah, it was a no-brainer for me.” He taps the face of his watch twice. “You took forever.” There’s a playful quality to his tone that makes me smile. The more time we spend together, the more I see behind the broody mask he shows the world. He’s thoughtful and kind and funny and a total softy at his core.

“What do you want to eat?” I ask him after I pay.

“Hopefully you don’t mind, I called in an order to Bayside.”

I snort. “Um, I’ll never turn down food from Alden and Natalie’s kitchen.”

Duke boops my nose. “Smart girl. I’ll pick it up and meet you at your place.”

“Sounds good. Drive safe.”

Duke brushes his knuckles over my cheekbone. “I will. You, too.”

chapter twenty-two

Duke

Without even trying to, Mallory Parsons has me damn near wrapped around her little finger. I’m not even sure when or how it happened. Suddenly, she’s my last thought before bed and my first thought in the morning. By all normal standards, it’s too fast; I shouldn’t be having these kinds of feelings for her, but she’s so alluring, I’m helpless to resist her pull.

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