Neesha
EMMY’S IN ON THIS??? How long have you two been plotting behind my back?
Lucian
Since this morning. She’s very enthusiastic about your dating life.
Neesha
But I don’t have a dating life!
Lucian
…yet, Cupcake. Now get up here before I come down and carry you up myself.
Neesha
You wouldn’t dare.
Lucian
Try me, Gilmore.
The fact that he used my last name makes my stupid heart flutter again.
Lucian
This is something I should have done weeks ago. Do you trust me?
And there it is—that word that makes me quake inside. Before I can talk myself out of it, I head for the restricted door that I’ve passed a thousand times without ever opening. Located in the back of the building, it leads to the rooftop of the bookstore—a place I’ve never had a reason to venture to before.
A wave of anticipation washes over me as I climb the stairs to meet Lucian. This is what it feels like to let go and just follow what feels terrifying and exhilarating and completely out of my control.
When I reach the top, there’s a door I push open, and the setting sun nearly blinds me as I step onto the rooftop. I blink, adjusting to the light, and then stop.
The roof has been transformed into something from my wildest dreams—the kind of romantic setup I stopped believing was real after Nate convinced me I wasn’t worth the effort. But here it is. HereHEis. And I’m suddenly terrified I’m about to fall for someone who makes me want to believe in love again.
He’s transformed the roof into something straight out of Stars Hollow fromGilmore Girls. String lights crisscross overhead, creating a canopy of warm, twinkling light. A small table set fortwo sits in the center, with flickering candles that dance in the evening breeze.
Around the perimeter, potted fall flowers surround the table in deep oranges and reds, while the surrounding treetops burst with autumn colors. It’s like my own private garden in the sky.
In the middle of it all, Lucian is there waiting, standing near the table in dark jeans and a cream sweater under a jacket that makes his blue eyes look even more intense. His hair is slightly mussed from the breeze, and he’s watching me with an expression I can’t quite read—slightly nervous mixed with the absolute pleasure of seeing me. “What is this?” I wave at the scene around me.
He shoves his hands in his pockets. “Your second date,” he says simply. “The one I promised you.”
“Right now?”
“You said you didn’t have time to go out. So Emmy made sure you had time off.” He smirks at how clever he and Emmy were, while conveniently leaving me in the dark.
“Remind me to say something to Emmy when I see her next,” I say, pretending to be slightly offended, even though I’m secretly delighted. “Why here?”
“Emmy told me it had the most romantic view in town.” He approaches me, a hint of mystery on his face. “And it’s on top of the bookstore where we first met.” He leads me to the table, pulling out my chair. As I sit, I notice the food still steaming in takeout containers from The Glass Olive, the Italian bistro just down the street.
“You remembered I like Italian food,” I say, surprised.
“I remember everything you tell me, Neesha,” he says, sitting. His eyes hold mine, and for a moment, I feel like I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
“You can see all of Maple Falls from up here—from the arena to Maple Lake and beyond. You have a beautiful town to call home.”
