Page 105 of Fighting Chance

“Ready?” he asks.

He’s so much taller than me I’m beginning to get a kink in my neck.

Nodding, I let him turn me to…a bookstore?

Before I can process what’s happening, Kieran is opening the door, ushering me in first before shaking hands with a middle-aged woman who is bouncing on the ball of her toes.

“You have no idea how excited I am to host for you tonight, Mr. Ashford.” She looks at him over the top of her square glasses. “As you can imagine, a lot of us book lovers are hockey fans.”

Kieran laughs with his full chest, the hearty sound pebbling my skin with goosebumps.

The conversation between him and the owner drowns into a faint buzz as my eyes take in the colorful store. By the artwork and special touches placed all around, I instantly can tell it’s independently owned. Indie stores wear their love on their walls, and it shows in this one beautifully.

How have I never been here before? How did I not know about it?

And more importantly, how did Kieran know that I favor indie bookstores?

“Welcome to Lover’s Lane,” the woman greets, her enthusiasm palpable. “My name is Anne, and believe it or not, you are the very first person to rent out our store.”

My eyes widen to the point where I no doubt look like acartoon character. I turn my gaze to Kieran, but he’s already watching me.

“Surprise,” he whispers.

“Y-you rented out the store?” I stutter out.

Kieran’s chin dips, those ocean blue eyes sucking me into their riptide.

He swallows thickly, the tension between us growing to such a feet Anne’s cheeks flush as she stammers, “I-I’ll leave y’all to it! Enjoy my store, I’ve poured my heart and soul into it. You’ve got three hours. Give me a holler if you need anything!”

She hightails it out of her own store so fast it makes me realize that the thick tension between Kieran and me must truly fill a room.

He rented a bookstore for me.

A bookstore.

My heart is in my throat and on display in my eyes for Kieran to see. “This is the most extravagant, thoughtful thing someone has ever done for me.”

“Do you like it?” he asks, a little shyly.

“Like it?” I can’t help but laugh. “Kieran, I love it. You’re making it impossible for anyone to top this.”

His eyes grow dark. “Good.”

My lips part, Kieran tracking the movement.

“You know, this happens in my favorite book,” I confess.

A coy smile spreads across his lips. “Does it?”

“I’ve read the book a hundred times, and that’s no exaggeration. It’s practically falling apart. I’ve already had to reglue the spine twice.”

“Seems I chose well, then.”

“Extremely.”

Kieran reaches up and tucks a lock of my fiery red hair behind my ear, stealing my breath with his close proximity. His gaze bores into my soul as he whispers, “Show me what you love, Layla.”

Chapter 22