Page 37 of Midnight Ash

I smile, and another silly tear runs down my face. I walk to the bookshelves and run my hand through the spines of the old books.

"No. I can't afford to buy them all back, but even if I could, look around...it's like they're home. The desk belongs here where lots of people can enjoy it. The books may one day go to new homes and bring joy to the people that bought them."

As I say the words, I really feel them. I'm not ready to forgive my stepmother, but now that I know where my parents' things are, I feel that I can have closure. As they say, onwards and upwards. Besides, I could still have a chance with the publishing competition.

"Xander, I'm suddenly ravenous. Do you mind if we find somewhere for lunch? I don't know this area though."

"This is actually not far from the city. Would you like to come to my place? I could make you something or we could order takeout."

I bite my lip to stop myself from grinning, and I take a breath.

“Thank you, that would be nice. I’ll pay for the takeout though. You’ve already done so much for me today.”

Xander comes forward and presses his lips against mine. I like how natural it feels, how familiar and comfortable, but I also like that the butterflies are still there. Still drunk and flying every which way inside my belly.

“Oh, Ash..." He shakes his head.

"What?"

"You don't see it, do you?"

I'm confused. "See what?"

"How special you are."

"Xander?"

"Yes?"

"When we get to your place, and after we have food, will you show me how special I am?"

He laughs. "I may just be about to break some speed laws."

He takes my hand and pulls me back down the stairs and outside. As we get to the car, he stops and laughs again.

"I've been coming here for twenty-four years and I've never left without taking something home with me."

I don't know where my boldness comes from as I say, "I thought we agreed you're taking me."

14

XANDER

Ash isn'tin my car.

We're not about to go to my place.

There's no way that more than kissing is on the table.

This is not my life. Except today, it is.

I look at Ash briefly, and there's a smile on his face. Forget about offering publishing contracts to aspiring new authors, thatsmile is the most powerful thing I've achieved in my whole life so far.

It broke my heart to see Ash upset and hurt over what his stepmom did, but I'm so happy that whatever good energy is following me today, it's been passed on to him.

There was a big part of me that wavered when I thought about taking Ash to The Bookworm Corner. What if seeing all the books upset him more?

But The Bookworm Corner is a magical place, so where else should I have taken someone who needs a little bit of magic in his life?