Page 7 of A New Chapter

Chapter 5

“So, I went out with that guy Collin, you remember, the one that likes poetry,” Kelly began.

Honestly, it was hard for Emma to keep track of all of the guys that Kelly had dated that she had met at the bookstore. Her friend had a penchant for choosing men based on the type of books they read. There was Steve, who liked mysteries, which made him “secretive” in Kelly’s eyes. Then there was Chris, who read erotica, and since his name was close to Christian (as in Grey) that meant he had to be good in bed, right? Wrong, according to Kelly, who suggested that he go back and reread the books.

“Collin, yes, I remember. Was he as sensitive and caring as you thought he would be?” Emma asked sarcastically.

“Scoff all you want, but we’re going on a second date this weekend, so there!”

It was Wednesday evening, and Kelly had just arrived for her five-to-nine shift. Emma was grateful that she had two capable employees to cover some of the evening and weekend shifts. She had hired Brett, a college student, to work over the summer, and he had stayed on to work a couple of nights per week. Hiring him had resulted in an unexpected increase in the number of teenage and young adult women who frequented the store. Brett was good looking in that all-American way that the young girls seemed to appreciate. Hey, if it sold more books, so be it; besides, he was a really good worker.

The store phone interrupted Kelly’s dating tale, and since Emma stood closest, she picked it up. “A New Chapter, how can I help you?” she answered cheerfully.

“Question. Do friends help each other unpack moving boxes in exchange for free pizza and beer?”

A smile instantly broke out on Emma’s face. She couldn’t help it; the man had a good sense of humor!

“I suppose that falls within the guidelines. When do you need me?” Oops, that didn’t come out right.

Zack chuckled gruffly. “As soon as you’re able to get here.”

Emma turned her body slightly away from Kelly, who was watching her with great interest. “I was just getting ready to leave. Give me your address, and I’ll head right over.”

After she jotted down the address and hung up the phone, she turned back around to face the music. Kelly didn’t disappoint.

“That was the Greek God, wasn’t it?”

“Please stop calling him that. If he finds out, it’ll go straight to his ego.”

“Sorry, but answer the question.”

“Yes, it was Zack. He asked me to help him unpack some boxes. No big deal.”

“What, are you friends now?”

“That’s the plan.”

“Well, get ready to fail. There’s no way you can be ‘just friends’ with a guy who looks like that!”

Emma grabbed her purse and a new book that she was dying to read and purposely ignored Kelly’s comment. “Have a good night, Kell,” she said on her way out the door.

It was almost laughable how close she and Zack lived to each other. His neighborhood was two miles east of hers off of the same main road. She wound her way back into his subdivision until she found the house on a quiet cul-de-sac. It looked like the ideal neighborhood for kids, equipped with sidewalks and a mini-playground. He’d probably chosen it with Gracie in mind, which made Emma wonder if Gracie would be home tonight.

Zack answered the door wearing a maize and blue University of Michigan t-shirt and a faded pair of jeans, and she had to admit he looked delicious (to borrow Kelly’s word).

“Hey, come on in,” he said, holding the door open as she stepped inside.

The house was a traditional two-story colonial similar to hers, the major difference being that his was in complete disarray. There were boxes everywhere, stacked up against the walls and scattered among the scant pieces of furniture. Emma also noted that everything was beige; the walls and carpet blended together with nary a contrasting color in sight.

“Sorry about the mess. I’ve been trying to unload a few boxes per day, but with work and Gracie and…”

“No need to apologize. I’m here to lend a hand, so put me to work.”

“Great, well, I thought we could start in the den. I have some bookshelves up, but my books are still in boxes. Maybe you can unpack them while I set up my desk.”

“Makes sense. Lead the way.”

Emma tried not to look at his butt as she followed him down the hall, but her curiosity got the best of her. Naturally, it was a nice one, tight and toned just like the rest of him. She wondered idly how tall he was and guessed around six foot three.