Page 97 of Falling for Keeps

And Mom’s words from the earlier in the week. Emma is nothing like Jen.

It’s true. The two most recent women in my life could not be more opposite. But look at Ben and Maven—two of the best people I know, and they couldn’t even make it work.

“What’s going on in your head right now, Carson? Because your face is kind of stormy. It looks like you’re angry to be dancing with me.”

“There’s a war, for sure.”

“Exactly what every person wants to hear when she’s dancing with the guy she likes.”

A smile pulls onto my lips. “You aren’t the problem.”

“I’m glad that expression has nothing to do with me.”

“Well, I wouldn’t say that. You’re the center of it all, but it’s not a problem, exactly.”

Emma tips her head back, looking up at me. Her lips are pink and warm and just so close but we’re surrounded by people and I’m sure the way I’m looking at her is convicting enough right now. I don’t need to confirm what everyone else is probably thinking.

“That’s not good, Carson.”

“I’m a broken, conflicted man. I think we’ve covered this.”

Emma sighs, shaking her head. “I wish you could see you the way I see you. Because you are worth staying for.”

My feet quit moving on the dance floor and I look into her eyes. Luckily, the song has stopped, so we aren’t the only two like this. She gazes back at me, and I’m completely lost in her.

I inhale, her scent clouding my thoughts. “I wish I could see that, too.”

Emma

Seth sits across from Demi and me at the Beet & Barrel Café on Main Street, the plans for Witches’ Night Out laid in front of us. I pick up my caramel apple cider and sip, the cinnamon and apple swirling with decadent caramel and tasting like fall.

“Did you finish the book for tomorrow?” Demi asks. “Or should I start writing the discussion questions?”

“I found a set online, so we can use those. I finished it a few weeks ago.”

“During your party,” Seth says around a bite of his sandwich. We’re having lunch while we finalize the details of one of the library’s biggest events of the year. Heather from the Friends of the Autumn Ridge Library is supposed to be here too, but she told me her little girl had a tooth emergency and she needed to see the new dentist in town.

“I was reading that night, but in my defense, I was on sober driver duty.”

“No one blames you,” Demi says around a mouthful. “Literally everyone there that night was a librarian.”

“Except Mina,” Seth says.

I share a look with Demi. She shifts to face Seth again, putting down her sandwich and resting her chin on her fist. “How are things going with my sister, by the way? I’ve heard from her, of course, but I’m curious if it’s mutual.”

The blood seems to drain from Seth’s face. His typical olive tan is pale, his dark eyes darting to me. “Uh, well.”

“We’re friends,” I remind him. He doesn’t need to hear that I already know about him texting Mina.

“Which was your choice,” he says.

“Anyway,” Demi prods. “My sister? I kind of need to know you aren’t going to drop her the moment some hot chick walks into the library.”

“Have you seen Maggie?” Seth asks. “A hot chick walks into the library every day.”

Both of us give him a flat look.

“I mean, lots of hot chicks.” He gestures to us somewhat manically. “Beautiful women everywhere in that building.”