Page 1 of Erase Me
ChapterOne
Avalie
San Clemente, California
The batteredcopy ofPride and Prejudicethat nestled on the end of the twenty-five-cent shelf caught my eye, and a jolt of excitement threaded through me.Only a chest-high metal railing, a few steps, and a half-dozen people separated me from my bargain find.
I tried to edge around an elderly couple.“Excuse me.Can I get by you?”
In front of the beach town’s library and the used-book annex, the Sunday Farmers Market stretched along the sidewalks of Del Mar, the main street of San Clemente’s downtown.Shoppers pushed through crowded tents and tables filled with fresh produce and honey, olive oil and cheeses.And from the look of the throng combing through the racks of books, the Friends of the Library store was doing equally well.
My eyes remained locked on the treasured book as I made my way closer.Polite requests were met with reluctant shuffling.As I edged past strollers and dog walkers, it seemed that everyone had chosen this precise moment to reconnect with long-lost acquaintances or discuss the latest happenings in the sleepy oceanside town.
Finally, my prize was only a few steps away.As my fingers extended towards the used copy of the Jane Austen classic, a man’s hand reached out and took it.Disappointment prickled down my spine.
“You wanted this?”I asked.“You sure?”
“Ididwant it,” he replied, pausing before holding the book out to me.“But you can have it.”
Surprised, I looked up into his face, and my heart stopped.He stood a lanky six feet, and sandy-colored hair that fell over his collar framed a square-jawed face.The dark brown eyes sparkled in the June sunlight.There was a hint of amusement in them, and they seemed to invite me into a world of possibility and adventure.He was dressed in a plain blue T-shirt and jeans that did nothing to hide his muscled chest and arms.And his easy stance gave him a look of balance and confidence.But it wasn’t his physical attributes that caused me to take a second look; it was the mischievous, somewhat lopsided grin.
“Are you sure?”I asked, taking the book.
“Absolutely.Everyone needs multiple copies of their favorite book.”
“What makes you think I already have it?”
“Doesn’t every woman who reads have a copy or two?”he asked confidently.
A shopper bumped me, causing me to nearly drop the precious find.I held it close to my chest.
“In fact, I’ll bet you have your favorite pages dog-eared.”
Running my fingers along the ream of the book in hand, I held it up to him as proof.“No dog ears here.”
“You haven’t taken it home yet.”
“You have no idea what I do to things that I take home.”
“Books or people?”
The lopsided grin had never left his face.Our eyes met and I recognized the spark of interest.“Let’s keep the conversation about books.”
“Whatever you say.”He nodded.“Well,doyou have another copy ofPride and Prejudice?”
“I actually do have another copy, but I didn’t bring it with me on this trip.”
“So you’re not a local?”
“No.You?”
“Visiting San Clemente for the first time.”
“Me too,” I confessed.
Another shopper with a toddler strapped to her back noticed the book in my hand.“Oh my God!My book club is readingPride and Prejudice.Can I have this copy?”
I gathered it tightly against my chest.“Sorry, I was here first.”
