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I followed her around as she picked a bunch of books off the shelf with pretty looking covers but if they’re anything like the last book, I can guarantee that they are all a different level of spicy.

We were rounding the romance shelf when she came to a halt and said two words that made me freeze in place.

“Hi Nathan,”

At first I tried to convince myself that she could be talking to anyone because he could’t be the only person bearing the name Nathan in New York City but then I heard his voice.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

“I am helping,” she froze and turned to me giving him a full view of my face, “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”

“Adira,” it was Nathan who responded, “Don’t worry Kayla; I can take it from here.”

She handed him the stack of books and rushed off to help the next person in need.

We stood there staring at each other not knowing how to break the silence.

He was wearing something similar to what I saw him in the last time we were here- black trousers and a sweatshirt the color of dark coffee with a baseball cap covering his face.

There were writings on the sweatshirt but they were too tiny for me to make out without squinting.

“Why don’t we go ring these up?” he said and without waiting for me to respond, he turned on his heels and made his way towards checkout .

I followed close behind and just as he reached the counter; he froze and turned back then grabbed a book off the shelf. It was the last copy so I wasn’t able to read the title but I saw am ‘A’ and the word ‘You’.

We got to the checkout and I was about to take out my card when Nathan handed his to the cashier.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I told him, “You didn’t even have to help me carry them.”

“I see so many girls come in here with their men who don’t even help them hold their books.” The cashier began and I wanted to correct her but she continued, “Any man who holds and pays for your books is a keeper; I’d say you hit the jackpot with this one.”

“We aren’t-,” I began at the same time Nathan said, “Thank you.”

He took the receipt and books from her and led me to the sitting area. I waited until we were out of earshot before I turned to him.

“You should have corrected her.” I whispered and he chuckled.

“I’m a keeper; didn’t you hear?” I punched him in the arm and his hand instantly went up to rub the spot.

“You have a mean right hook, Adira.” He kept my stack of books on top of the table, “How’s your dress coming along; the fact that you’re out leads me to assume you’re done with it.”

“I am actually,” I couldn’t help the feeling of pride that settled on my shoulders; “I finished it early this morning.”

“Can I see it?”

“You’ll see it on Tuesday along with everyone else. ”

He raised his hands in mock surrender then handed me one of the books from the stack. It was the only one without an animated cover and I recognized it as the book that he went back to pick. The title read “Kiss The Sky”, I looked at him quizzically.

“Don’t judge a book by its cover or title.” He chided, “Read it; you’ll like it.”

“Have you read it?” I asked although I already knew the answer.

“Read it, Adira.”

He took out a book of his own and all I was able to see was the author’s name before he placed it against the table.

I started reading the book and I hate to admit it but he picked a good book. I was so immersed in the book that I didn’t notice a girl walk up to us. She was holding a magazine in her hand and as I saw the title, I knew she wanted to speak to me.

I didn’t want to lose my page so I put my finger in the middle of the book to hold it when I saw Nathan move.

Without looking up from his book, he handed me a bookmark. I quietly thanked him but he didn’t respond; he kept his head buried in his book. I saw him give me a small nod and I took that as acknowledgement.

“I’m so sorry to bother you,” the girl began, “But I was wondering if I could take a picture with you. I promise not to post it until later in the day after you must have left. I just couldn’t leave without saying hi first.”

“Sure,” I forced a smile onto my face.

She took the picture, thanked me and rushed off. I let out an exhausted sigh. I love meeting people but there are days I just want to be left alone.

I could see people begin to stare longer at me probably wondering why the girl came up to me to ask for a picture. I had decided I would leave when I felt something settle on my head. I looked up and noticed that Nathan had placed his baseball cap over my head.

It was as if he had read my mind and knew I wanted to hide and gave me a way to do so. Instead of going back to his book, I felt his hand settle on my knee and that was when I realized I had been bouncing it.

It took me back to the last time he noticed and did the same action. I cast a glance at him out of the corner of my eye and this time I found him looking at me. He offered me a small tilt of his lip and I smiled back.

He was the first to break eye contact and returned to his book prompting me to do the same.

For the rest of the day; I did what I did best, I pretended.

I pretended like I didn’t stare at him out of the corner of my eye while reading.

I pretended like he didn’t have his hand on my knee until we left and while he walked me to my car, I pretended like he didn’t guide me over to the sidewalk with his hand on my lower back.

Most importantly, while I drove home, I pretended like I didn’t notice that he waited until I had driven off before walking back to his car.