When I arrived at the coffee shop, he was already there, sitting at my usual table. There were two coffee cups on the table, and a pancake. When he motioned me to join him, my feet carried me that way almost of their own volition.

“Got here early and got both of our favorites,” he informed me.

I sat down next to him. A corner of my Kindle peeked out from my bag.

“Interrupting your reading time again?” he asked with a twinkle in his eye.

“Well, now that you mention it... I was going to read.”

I took one bite of the pancake and sipped my cappuccino. Carter’s cup was half-full, but he didn’t seem interested in it at the moment. His attention was on me.

“Let me guess, yet again you got to a really good part last night, and you couldn’t wait to read this morning?”

“Guilty.”

“What did the good part say? Please, don’t leave out any detail.”

I clenched my thighs together. “You want me to... what? Tell you about the characters?”

Carter was even closer now. If he came any closer, he could practically kiss me.

“They are clearly getting more action than we do, so why not hear all about it? Live vicariously through them. I’m all ears. What I glimpsed was pretty hot. Was that all, or does it get hotter?”

Holy shit, I was burning up. Was he for real? How did this conversation already get out of hand?

“You’re blushing, so I guess the answer is a hell of a lot steamier.”

I cleared my throat. “I’ll give you the title. Then you can read it yourself. What do you think about that?”

He considered that for a moment, then flashed me a Cheshire cat grin. Oh, boy. That couldn’t be good.

“Only if we can exchange notes and impressions. Critique details, things like that.”

We were both laughing now, but there was something of a challenge in his tone. He was baiting me. I wanted to play right into it because this was too much fun.

“I’ll be happy to.” I was flirting. I knew it. Still, I couldn’t stop. It felt good. When I told him the title, he raised his eyebrows so high, they nearly disappeared into his hairline.

“Stumped, are we, Mr. Reader? If you can’t handle the title, wait until you read the book.”

“Will I regret this?”

“Probably. How are the girls?” I asked, eager to change the subject.

“April’s birthday is coming up. I rented a yacht for it. Not sure it was my smartest idea. I can think of a thing or two that can go wrong. But April has just started at a new school, and I know she is nervous about making friends. Parties always help.”

“You want to make her happy,” I stated.

“Why so surprised?’