Page 27 of Spell Ya Later

“Hazel!”

My head jerks toward the now somehow familiar tone of Noah’s voice. How long have I been standing here scratching this spoiled cat?

Said catmews in my general direction and hops off the stack of books he was happily snoozing on.

Noah jogs up with a small bag in his hand. He hands it to me, his foot nervously tapping on the ground. “I hope you like it.”

“I don’t think it’s possible for me not to,” I reply, honestly. With trembling fingers, I pull out a brand-new special edition ofPride and Prejudice.

“That’s, uh...my mom’s favorite book,” he says. “She used to lecture me and my brother constantly on communication because of Darcy. Told me that, whenever I met a woman I liked, I should write her letters and overshare because being emotionally stunted would end with you being rejected in the rain.” A smile grows on his face as he speaks about her. “Plus, your sister kind of gives me Lydia vibes.”

Tears prickle in the corners of my eyes, blurring the black and floral cover.

Is this what being chosen feels like?

I swallow around the ache in my chest. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life.”

My new booksits heavily in my purse as Noah and I walk back toward the bookshop from the ice cream parlor. I knew the moment he suggested it, I wouldn’t be able to resist. Plus the walk gave me a minute to put the overwhelming emotions I don’t have names for away.

Chocolate-chip cookie dough ice cream slides over my tongue and I suppress a full body shiver. It’s the best kind of ice cream, and I will throw hands over this.

“May I walk you to your car?” Noah asks, licking at his mint chocolate-chip cone. The way he flattens his tongue as he...

Is it hot out here?

“Oh, I took a ride share,” I reply. It would have been suspicious if I’d asked to borrow Grandma’s car again and I wasn’t ready for her questions.

He turns to me, forcing me to meet his dark brown eyes. I swear I could get lost in that purposeful gaze. “Do you want me to give you a ride home?”

I’d love to give you a ride.

Shit, Hazel, hold it together.

“Are you sure it wouldn’t be too out of the way? I live in Chagrin Falls and I know you have work tomorrow.”

Brick storefronts pass us by as we walk through the shopping district of Shaker Heights. People are out enjoying the fallweather with their dogs and families, laughter and barking filling the spaces in our conversation.

“I’d be happy to drive you. But, it’s completely up to you. Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

“Then I’d love a ride home.”

We discard the remains of our desserts and he leads me to his car, opening the passenger-side door of the gray sedan. The car smells like him. An intense, unfiltered version of his scent—bergamot, neroli, green tangerine, and weathered book pages—that just makes me want to roll around on the leather seats, soaking it in.

Which would be very weird, so I don’t do that.

He slides into the driver’s seat with that quiet confidence I’ve come to appreciate. I’m honestly surprised his lanky features allfitin the car.

“What’s your address?” He pulls out his phone. I tell him the address of the shop and he sets his phone on the holder on the dash.

He wraps his arm around the back of my seat as he turns his head to pull out of the parking space, and even the proximity of it causes anticipation to build in my gut.

“What plans do you have for the rest of the week? Anything fun?” he asks, the arm around the back of my seat coming down to the armrest between us.

It’s just lying there, palm up. Almost like he’s waiting for me to link our fingers together.

So I do.

“Not really. Just working in the shop and then teaching my class on Wednesday.”