He’s very, very cute when he’s happy, and it’s something I realize I’d do many things to see as often as possible.

“I had no clue. I was a little worried you were going to take me to a book club and make me discuss what I read.”

“No offense.” He warns me that he’s about to say something offensive. “But I’m not sure you’re ready for that yet. I love doing book clubs, but most of the time they’re smarter than me and notice things I didn’t even realize I wrote into the story. Right now my only goal is for you to enjoy reading. We can work on analyzing the text down the line.”

Oh good. That didn’t even need the forewarning. I know I’m not at book-club level yet. Sometimes the Dirty Birds will force me to sit in on their meetings and I have no idea what they’re talking about half the time. If I hosted a book club, the only question I would ask would be the same note I passed around in sixth grade.

Do you like me?

Circle one.

Yes. No. Maybe.

The end.

Then we’d eat, drink, and have a jolly time.

Which may be why Dani and Mona have worked with book clubs on the occasions when they—besides the Dirty Birds, obvi—come to the Book Nook.

“No offense taken, and anyways, a concert is a lot better.” I tuck my phone into my crossbody bag and push the elevator button. “I’m just glad I wore my rocking shoes.”

While I know they aren’t the high heels I’m sure the women in his books wear, when his eyes travel the length of my body, landing on my clunky Dr. Martens, he looks at me like I’m the sexiest woman on the planet.

And then he acts on it, leaning forward and dropping his mouth to mine.

“Sorry.” He pulls away. “I couldn’t wait any longer.”

Oh yeah.

This is going to be a good night.

—

For once, I didn’t jinx myself with early cheer and excitement for the night. Not only was there no traffic, but Jasper must have a button that controls the stoplights, because we didn’t miss one, not even an arrow.

It was witchcraft.

But even better was that after he found a great parking spot, we held hands as we navigated the crowded sidewalk on Colfax to get to the Fillmore Auditorium.