Page 40 of The Secret Librarian
She laughed. ‘I did.’ She wasn’t even going to ask him how he knew.
James leaned forward, his hand on the tablecloth only inches from hers. If she stretched her little finger ever so slightly, she would be able to touch his. It seemed he had the same thought, because he did exactly that, brushing the edge of her finger with his.
‘So what was your solution?’ he asked. ‘If that’s not classified information, of course.’
‘I wrote immediately to my sister and asked her to send a care package containing onlyTimemagazines, chocolate bars and bubblegum,’ Avery said. ‘I was clearly told that such items weren’t an approved currency and wouldn’t be sent from Washington, but they never said I couldn’t give personal gifts to my favourite booksellers or newspaper vendors, did they?’
James’s easy laughter sent a warmth through her, and she found herself bravely moving her little finger even closer to his so that they were looped together. But then he went still.
‘You have a bruise,’ he said.
She glanced down at her wrist, moving it slightly so the silk of her sleeve covered it. It was barely visible now, so she was surprised he even noticed it. ‘Oh, that’s nothing. A story for another day.’
He gave her a long, steady look, but he must have noticed it had made her uncomfortable because he smiled and leaned closer, deftly changing the subject.
‘We really should look at the menu,’ he said. ‘They sell out of all the best dishes most nights, and I’d hate you to go home hungry.’
Avery was happy to sit back and let James order for them, noticing that he held the menu in one hand, never moving his finger from hers even when their waiter returned to take the order.
It was then Avery understood that this feeling – the nerves in her stomach and the excitement at having her skin skim againsta man’s – was what had been missing when she’d been engaged. She could sit with James all night, their conversation easy and their laughter even easier. She was halfway around the world, but somehow she’d never felt more alive, or more at home.
Or more attracted to a man.
‘I hope you like fish,’ he said, when they were finally alone again. ‘Because according to the waiter, it’s divine.’
Avery giggled.
‘What’s so funny?’
‘James, do you actually speak Portuguese?’
He cleared his throat and made a noise that she couldn’t decipher, which only made her laugh more. ‘I was certain it would be easier to pick up once I was living here, but in all honesty, I can only get by with the basics.’ He groaned. ‘He didn’t actually say that, did he?’
Avery shook her head. ‘He said he would have recommended the chicken, but I’m certain the fish will be excellent.’
This time when they both laughed, James placed his hand over hers, and his palm was still covering her fingers when their first course was served.
‘Avery, have you had lunch with your bookshop friend again?’
‘Camille? Not lunch, no, but I’ve seen her a few times.’
Avery glanced up at James as they walked. She liked James, a lot, but she also loved the friendship that was growing between her and Camille, and she wouldn’t say anything to him that might jeopardise that.
‘Do you believe she’s as she seems?’ he asked.
‘Is anyone as they seem in Lisbon?’ Avery teased. ‘It certainly seems there is a lot of espionage at play.’
‘I’mas I seem,’ James said, leaning in and placing his hand over hers as they walked. She had her fingers looped through his arm, and now with him holding her hand she realised just how close their bodies were. ‘You can trust me, Avery, I promise. We’re both on the same side.’
She stopped resisting the urge to drop her head to his shoulder then and just did it, liking the feel of him, the warmth of him against her. Everything about being with James was new to her, and she found herself wishing the night could keep going, that it wasn’t almost drawing to a close.
‘You know, I think I can trust Camille, too,’ she said. ‘She’s a good person, James, and she’s doing good things that I can’t talk about. I promise you, she is.’
‘If you believe you can trust her, then so can I. You don’t have to try to convince me.’
She sighed and listened to his breathing as she leaned even more deeply into him, pleased that he hadn’t asked her questions about Camille that she wouldn’t be able, or willing, to answer.
‘Tonight has been quite something, Avery the librarian,’ James said, slowly stopping and turning to face her. ‘I would say a pleasant surprise, but then I had an inkling that it would be an evening to remember.’
