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"Ladies." He places the steaming mugs in front of us and steps back. He puts his hands behind his back, looking at me expectantly. "Ma'am?"

The corner of my mouth turns up in a smile. "Two glasses of your finest, please."

He dips his head in a slight bow before disappearing through the back door.

"The plot thickens," she teases. Her gaze lingers on the door for a moment before returning to me. "To answer your question—yes. I'm interested."

I hold her gaze steady. "I'm not looking for anything serious, Josie." I resist blinking first.

"Neither am I." She blinks first, almost flirty. "I'm not even looking for anything romantic." She swallows. "Not opposed to the idea, if it happens, but… not looking."

"Sex?" I ask lightly, surprising myself. I hadn't really thought about that until she walked into the bookstore, her soft dark-blonde bob pulled back, her piercing blue eyes and matching blouse already knocking me off-kilter.

She inhales sharply and blinks twice, caught off guard. "Not opposed," she says slowly, "but not looking for that either." She glances around the bookstore, then back at me. "Do youhavea name, or should I just call you Boss?"

"You can call meBossif you want to." I bite back a grin.

Her smile flickers, falters, before she fixes it back in place. Her gaze drops to her hands, wrapped around her tea.

"I'm sorry." I sigh. "You were right—about me wanting to stay under the radar." I study her closely. "Can I trust you?"

Her smile softens, reaching her eyes this time. "I'm good at keeping secrets. Am I supposed to be a secret?"

I laugh, for real this time. "Josie."She has a pretty name."Will you trust me?"

"If you tell me your name, I will."

I stand and offer her my hand. "Follow me. Then yes—I will tell you."

6

Josie

I take her hand, and she pulls me to my feet. It doesn't feel like a date—we never called it that. Just a meetup. A drink to get to know each other a little, but...

I recognized her right away. The shock made me jump. But she doesn't want me to know yet, so I'll play along.

She tugs me to my feet, and I take a step closer than necessary, intentionally stumbling into her.

"Do you trustme?That I'm not neurotic?" I whisper near her ear, brushing my body against hers. I wasn't looking for anything, but just like the first time I saw her, this woman is oozing pheromones.

"Whoa, Josie." She puts some space between us, but not before I catch her sharp inhale. Her hand lingers on my back, warm and steady, steering me toward the door along the back wall—the same one the waiter disappeared through minutes ago.

I pause. "You're not planning to kill me, are you?"

She chuckles. "No." She opens the door, and when I hesitate, she steps through first. "You're safe. I promise," she says drily.

I follow her, stepping into the dimly lit, empty space. The door a few feet down probably leads to Nectar. A staircase winds upward, shrouded in darkness.

She flips a switch, and soft, warm light fills the space. She places a foot on the first step.

"Trust me?" She lifts a brow and starts up the stairs, not waiting to see if I'll follow.

I trail a few steps after her. "Nice view," I murmur appreciatively as I follow her up to the landing.

She glances over her shoulder, confused. "There's nothing down there."

She shrugs me off, distracted, opening the only door on the landing.