Page 39 of Gwen's Delta

“Great. I’ve been enjoying this.” Merlin held up the copy ofA Tale of Two Cities.

“It’s such a tragic story, though.”

“Yes, but there’s still a touch of optimism after Colton’s speech.”

“True, sort of like the end ofGone with the Wind. There’s that spark of hope that Scarlett will find a way to win Rhett back.”

Merlin smiled. He’d expected her to be a romantic and would have been surprised otherwise. Her love of classics and the stories she grew up with made it inevitable.

“How’s work going?”

“I’m done. Gramps has kicked us out. Said it wasn’t right for me to make you wait. I told him you didn’t care.”

Merlin grinned. He liked Jack Dedmond more and more.

“I didn’t mind hanging out. I feel like a kid in a toy store. But getting to spend more time alone with you is great.” Merlin checked his watch and was surprised he’d already killed two hours. Gwen had cast a spell over him, yet he was supposed to be the magician.

“Let me grab my bag, and we can go.”

“Would you like to have an early dinner? Or…” He didn’t know what the “or”was. He knew what he’d like it to be, but suggesting they go to her house and make out probably wouldn’t earn him any brownie points.

Gwen’s cheeks turned the peachy-pink color he loved, and her emerald eyes sparkled with mischief. “Dinner works. The ‘or’will have to wait.”

Merlin burst out laughing. The little redhead kept surprising him.

“Do you have a place in mind? I don’t know the restaurants around here,” he asked as he followed her toward the desk.

“Bye, Grams, see you tomorrow,” she called as she grabbed her purse from behind the desk.

“Bye, have fun,” Grams yelled back.

“And Gramps, if you need anything, call. Okay?” Gwen said as she gave the old man a hug.

“We’ll be fine. There’s only about an hour until we close.”

“If that man calls again, see if you can get a return number,” Gwen added.

“I will. Now, go before you come up with some other excuse to stay.”

Merlin chuckled when Gwen rolled her eyes at her old man. Their closeness made him smile, even as a tinge of regret laced his thoughts. His granddad would have loved Gwen and her grandparents.

“Geesh, Gramps. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were trying to get rid of me,” Gwen teased.

“I am. Now, skedaddle. See you in the morning, Gwenie-bee.”

“Night, Mr. Dedmond.” Merlin held out his hand.

“Call me Jack. I have a feeling I’m going to be seeing a lot of you around here,” Gramps said with a sparkle in his eye.

“Excellent observation, sir…err, Jack.” Merlin winked.

“If you’re done with your bromance, I’m ready to go.”

“Bromance? That’s a new one on me.” Gramps chuckled.

Merlin shook his head and rested his hand on Gwen’s lower back and steered her toward the front door. As they stepped into the late afternoon sun, he checked the area. Not that he expected trouble, but he was determined not to let his guard down again. “Do you know where you want to go?”

“Hmm. Are you craving anything in particular?”