Page 90 of Book and Ladder
“All that talk about people being good kissers.” I throw my hands up in the air.
“I’m so confused. Are you okay?”
“I’ll get back to you on that. Mostly, no. But I will be. May I have a moment to myself … Please?”
“Sure. But if you don’t come out of there in ten minutes … or if I hear unusual noises, I’m barging in. Unannounced.” Her brows raise and her eyes go wide.
She doesn’t say anything else, and neither do I. As soon as she steps out toward the counter, I shut the door to the office and fall back into my chair.
Squirrelly doesn’t begin to define how I feel. A whole scurry of squirrels is skittering around in my belly and brain right now. I power up the desktop and immediately go to my happy place—the only place on earth that seems to bring me solace these days.
M&M: Would you ever want to meet in person?
My finger hovers over the RETURN button. I’m not in my right mind. But I know a few things for certain.
Patrick O’Connell accidentally kissed me.
I liked that kiss way more than I should have.
I need to get Patrick off my mind and connect with someone sane. Someone I like. Someone who does not drive me crazy enough that I randomly kiss them in front of my place of business when I actually despise them.
I press RETURN and hold my breath.
“No turning back now, Daisy.”
“I’m well aware.”
“Everything okay in there?” Winona shouts from outside the office door.
“Fine. Fine. Just decompressing. I’m good,” I assure her.
The host ofBurning Through the Pagesdoesn’t answer me, so I take a little time to calm myself. Then, when the coast is clear and there’s no sign of Patrick O’Connell around my property, I leave the shop and run my errand to the bank and pick up the promised muffins for Winona. When I return, I check our message thread. He answered. I click on the messages and read his response:
BTTP: Meet? As in find a city that’s close to both of us and meet there?
M&M: I know. It probably sounds crazy. And … I don’t know what I’m thinking. But … Yes. Maybe find a common city and meet there. I’d like to grab a coffee withyou. Walk through a bookstore, browse books and … I don’t know. Just forget it. Okay? Carry on.
BTTP: I won’t forget it. Because I would like to meet you.
M&M: You would?
BTTP: Yes. The timing might not be ideal, but will it ever be? And … well … My answer is yes.
M&M: I live in Tennessee. Where do you live? Can you tell me? Just the state. You don’t have to tell me the city or region of the state. I’m not a stalker.
BTTP: You made me laugh. And I trust you. Tennessee? I live in Tennessee. It’s a small town. You might not have heard of it. Are you near Nashville, Knoxville, Memphis, or Chattanooga?
