While Evie closes out the accounting up front, I pull all the empty book carts to the stockroom and line them up for receiving tomorrow, when we’re supposed to be getting a big shipment from a distributor. At least that’s what I start to do, until someone knocks on the stockroom door—the one that opens to the side of the house between the street and the alley.

Delivery people don’t knock. They ring the bell.

Cautious, I unlock the door and peek through the crack to find Lucky’s face staring back at me over a deep-red T-shirt. My heartbeat quickens.

“Hey,” he says, one side of his mouth quirking upward. “Saw Winona heading to the neighborhood meeting next door. My mom’s there too. Not sure if I’m still banned from these premises … ?”

“In Winona’s eyes? I don’t know; in this time of crisis, it’s hard to tell. Would you like to risk it all and come inside for a minute?” Please.

“Isn’t it you who’s taking the risk? I’m not banned from seeing you.”

I shrug, attempting to look casual, and open the door. “And I’m not good at following rules. Welcome to the stockroom.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’ve been back here. Lots.”

“You have?” I say, shutting the door behind him.

“Your grandmother lets me browse the new stuff before it goes out on the shelves.”

She never let us come back here when we were kids. Never. Honestly, I’m surprised she allowed kids in the bookshop. She dislikes noise and disorganization.

“She also lets Saint Boo sleep in here sometimes when we go out of town.”

Mouth open. Jaw on floor. “Beginning to have some serious suspicions that the Diedre Saint-Martin you’ve been acquainted with over the last few years is some kind of pod person,” I tell him. “The grandma I know and love dislikes pets. She’s also a rule-obsessed harpy who ruined my mom’s life, and mine by extension, and listens to too much fiddle music.”

“She does have a disturbing preoccupation with fiddling. Wonder if they fiddle in Nepal?”

“You must’ve missed her weekly postcards on the singing bowls and the flutes.”

“Maybe she’ll like that more than the fiddling and decide to stay. Never know …”

No chance.