“What do you think?” I turned slowly, letting Stella examine my outfit.
Josh and I had our first official date today, but no matter how much I cajoled, threatened, and bribed him, he’d remained tight-lipped about what we were doing, so I was flying blind when it came to the dress code. His only guidance was to dress nice but not too nice, which was no freaking help at all.
After much agonizing, I’d settled on a blue sundress with sandals and styled my hair in a high ponytail to stave off the sweltering June heat. It was fun, flirty, and casual enough for a stroll in the park but dressy enough for a nice restaurant.
At least, I hoped so.
Stella assessed me from head to toe before giving me a thumbs up. “Perfect.”
Thank God. I didn’t have time to change. I was already running late.
Since Josh couldn’t pick me up from my house, I met him in Georgetown as requested.
Flutters filled my stomach when I spotted him waiting at our designated meeting spot.
White button down. Dark jeans. Tousled hair. So gorgeous it made my heart hurt.
I kind of wished we still hated each other because our relationship was not great for my cardiac health.
“Hey, Red.” Josh looked me over, his eyes heating. “Nice to see you looking presentable for once.”
“Nice to see you looking human for once.” I gave him an equally deliberate once-over. “How much did you pay for the skin suit to cover up your devil’s horns and reptile skin?”
“It was free. I’m just that charming,” he drawled.
“I think the seller was just scared you’ll suffocate him with your giant ego if you didn’t leave soon.”
His laugh rolled through me like molten caramel, rich and sweet. “I fucking missed you.”
I fell into step beside him as we walked down the street toward our mysterious destination. “It’s been three days.”
“I know.”
The flutters intensified. Dammit. When he wasn’t being an ass, he could be so…sweet.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going now?” I was too curious not to ask. Why hadn’t Josh asked me to meet him at the date spot instead of some random street corner?
He heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Patience.”
“I don’t know what that is, but it sounds boring.” I stifled a laugh when he side-eyed me.
“You’re insufferable.”
“So you keep saying, yet you missed me and you’re on a date with me. What does that say about you?”
“That I’m a glutton for a beautiful punishment.”
I bit my lip to contain a burgeoning smile. “You should look into that. Doesn’t sound healthy.”
“I did. There’s no cure, I’m afraid.”
I stumbled on a loose cobblestone and would’ve face planted on the sidewalk had Josh not caught me by the wrist.
“Careful,” he said, his eyes aglow with amusement. He knew exactly what he was doing, the bastard. “Don’t want you to fall.”
“I won’t.” I mustered a haughty tone and smoothed down my skirt, my cheeks red.
After another five minutes or so, we finally stopped in front of a tiny shop with a striped awning and the words Apollo Hill Books stamped in gold on the windows. Piles of books filled the display, obstructing my view of the shop’s interior, and two royal blue carts groaned beneath the weight of discounted tomes on the sidewalk.
Now I knew why Josh hadn’t asked me to meet him here—the street was only wide enough for pedestrians and bicycles. A car didn’t have a chance of squeezing through it. The same went for the surrounding streets.
“Welcome to the best bookstore in the city.” Josh swept a dramatic arm at the building and grinned at my stunned expression.
“How have I never heard of this place?” My heart beat fast at the prospect of what lay beyond the white wood door. Discovering a new bookstore was like discovering a new type of precious gem: exhilarating, wondrous, and a touch surreal. “I’ve lived here for years.”
“It opened a few months ago and flies under the radar. I found out about it from another resident whose cousin’s friend owns it.” Josh opened the door.
The minute I stepped inside, I fell in love. No, not fell. I crashed into love, hard and fast, seduced by the floor-to-ceiling bookcases, the charmingly haphazard piles crowding the oval table in the middle of the store, and the sweet, musky scent of old books. The bold emerald carpet contrasted with the understated cream walls, and several wrought-iron chandeliers cast a warm glow over the space.
It was the bookstore of my dreams, manifested into reality.
“What did I tell you?” Josh’s voice rolled down my spine in a velvety caress. “Best bookstore in the city.”
Other than the store owner, we were the only people present. It was hard to believe the hustle and bustle of the city lay on the other side of the door. It was so hushed, I felt like we’d entered a secret world created just for us.
“This is the only time I’ll admit you’re right.” I ran a reverent hand over a nearby pile of books. The store contained a mix of new releases and used books, and I wanted to explore them all. “Are we spending our date browsing? Because I’m fully onboard with that.”
“Sort of.” Josh leaned against the side of a bookcase and slid one hand into his pocket, the picture of gorgeous insouciance. “I would start with your favorite childhood book.”
“Why?”
“Trust me.” He angled his chin toward the nearby children’s section.
The heat from Josh’s gaze warmed my skin as I scanned the shelves until I found what I was looking for. There were only three copies of Charlotte’s Web, and I assumed there was a note or something similar in one of them.
The fact he’d remembered such a small detail from our conversation in Ohio sent a burst of tingles shooting through me.
Focus, Jules.
I plucked one of the copies off the shelf and flipped through the pages. Nothing out of the ordinary.
I tried a second copy. Nothing.
But when I opened the third book, a slip of paper fluttered to the ground. I picked it up, and a smile burst onto my mouth when I read the words scribbled in Josh’s neat scrawl.
Your favorite food, but you have to make it.
B3, S4, #10.
“Is this a bookstore scavenger hunt?” I bounced on my feet, unable to contain my delight.
“Scavenger hunt and puzzle.” Josh’s cheek dimpled. “Have to make sure your brainpower meets my standards, Red. I don’t date dummies.”
“Understandable. Someone has to be the brains in the relationship.”
Josh’s soft laugh settled inside me. “Solve the clue before you get cocky, sweetheart. There’s a prize waiting for you if you do.”
I perked up. I loved prizes. I had a whole box of certificates, trophies, and medals I won in high school and college. “What is it?”
“You’ll find out. Or maybe not.” He shrugged. “Let’s see.”
My skin buzzed from both our exchange and the thrill of the hunt, but I tamped down my desire to continue our verbal sparring session and refocused on the clue.
Your favorite food, but you have to make it obviously referred to an Italian cookbook.