Ox had left on a Wednesday. By Friday, Emmie still hadn’t heard from him. She’d had a quick text on Thursday, but that was all.

Rockslide in one of the pastures.

Need to take Thursday off too.

I’ve called my clients.

Sorry, Buttons.

Ox might have called his own clients, but Emmie had to explain to three customers that morning that she didn’t know when he’d be available for a consultation. Ox had more than a few walk-ins, even with his sign turned to Closed. Emmie could do little besides smile and give out his business card.

Added to Ox’s noncommunication was the fact that Adrian had texted her three times, hoping to make a dinner date for Sunday night. Emmie still didn’t know what to do.

Luckily she had work.

Tayla leaned over the coffee table, looking at the sketch Emmie had shown her while they drank their morning coffee. Ethan had joined them that morning, walking over from the hardware store with a few “props” Emmie had asked to borrow.

“I like this,” Tayla said. “You said the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is really that busy for home-improvement stuff?”

“Earlier,” he said. “Right about now, in fact.”

“That surprises me,” Emmie said.

“Me too.”

“I know it seems crazy with how busy things are around the holidays, but there are a lot of people who want to get that room painted before the Christmas party or finish the guest room before the parents visit, you know?”

“That makes sense,” Emmie said. “And if it’s starting now, that gives us a good second theme window before Thanksgiving.” She’d started changing the windows to have a new window a week, alternating between the west and east windows. So each theme was highlighted for two weeks, but there was something new to see every week. So far foot traffic, especially on weekends, had been their most successful local advertising. The windows drew people in. The uniqueness of the shop kept them browsing and buying.

If only the other half of INK were present.

She tapped the sketch. “So if you can help me with this background—”

“Easy,” Ethan said. “All you’ll need is a mounted pegboard and some hooks. I can even put a couple of display shelves on the pegboard if you want. Mix up the tools and the books.”

“Perfect. And the sign I’ll make up will direct them next door. Did you want to do the coupon thing?”

Ethan nodded. “I’ll do ten percent off for anyone bringing in a book receipt from INK. Certain conditions, blah blah blah. I’ll talk it over with my dad, but the coupon is a great idea.”

“That and the location should keep people out of the big box stores for their projects.”

“Let’s hope so.” Ethan leaned back. “With gardening workshops and the farmers’ market done for the season, things are getting slow downtown. Hard to compete with the chain stores for sales this time of year.”

“You having Rickard’s back for Christmas trees this season?”

He nodded.

Emmie smiled. “Do they still do the hot chocolate?”

“Better believe it. They even have peppermint syrup for the hot chocolate now. They’re gettin’ fancy.”

Tayla rolled her eyes. “This town is a Hallmark card.”

“You love it,” Ethan said. “Don’t lie.”

“God help me, I do.” Tayla curled her lip. “I’ve even stopped playing traffic noises at night to fall asleep.”

“Traffic noises?”

Emmie rose. “Don’t ask. Ethan, can you have this background finished by Sunday?”

“Yeah. Are you going out with Adrian Saroyan?”

Emmie’s head shot up. “What?”

“He said something at Daisy’s. But I thought you were going out with Ox.”

“How did you know I was going out with Ox?” Emmie’s mouth dropped open. “I haven’t… we haven’t—”

“I was down at Supreme getting my tires rotated. Sergio said you and Ox were a thing now.”

Tayla settled back on the couch and grabbed her coffee. “I love how gossipy the men in this town are.”

“We don’t gossip.”

“You totally gossip.”

“Yeah?” Ethan asked. “Is that why I hear you’re suddenly interested in comics?”

Emmie muttered, “Jeremy’s a gossip too.”

“Apparently.” Tayla stood up and walked back to the office. “I have to work.”

“Are you helping my dad with the books later?” Ethan asked. “He has all the receipts organized now.”

“I’m charging you this time!” she yelled.

“Fine!” Ethan smiled at Emmie. “We’ve been trying to pay her for two weeks. She’s a godsend. My dad and computers do not get along.”

“I’m hoping she’ll stay,” Emmie whispered. “If she gets enough bookkeeping clients, she might.”

“Between me and you, Daisy and Jeremy and all the rest of the shops around here, I don’t think she’d have a problem keeping busy if she wants to.”

Emmie’s phone dinged. It was a text from Ox.

Is the shop busy? Call me.

The sinking feeling in her belly told Emmie that Ox wouldn’t be coming in that day. Dammit. Just as she was about to call, the bell above the door chimed and three women walked in with strollers. Friday morning. Story hour.

Emmie plastered on her smile and tucked her phone behind the register before she reached for her battered copy of Strega Nona. The moms began to browse the Tomie dePaola table set up in the children’s section.

She didn’t have time to call Ox. He’d come in when he came in. Emmie had a shop to run.

She was standing in line for her post-story-hour coffee break at Daisy’s when she felt a soft tug on her braid. She turned to see Adrian standing behind her.

“Hey!” She couldn’t stop the smile. “Tugging on my braids? We back in grade school?”

“I did actually try to get your attention, but you were off in your own world.”

“Sorry. Busy morning.”

“Don’t apologize. I know how life gets. Did you know Metlin Lumber Yard is selling?”

“I didn’t. Did they hire you?”

He nodded. “They did.”

“Congratulations!”

“I’d love to celebrate.” He leaned closer. “With dinner maybe? You haven’t called me back.”

Emmie opened her mouth, but the words didn’t come out.

Adrian’s smile fell a little. “There’s someone else.”

“I think so?”

He nodded slowly, urging her forward with a hand on her elbow. “Your turn.”

Emmie ordered a cinnamon roll while Daisy shot glances between her and Adrian with wide eyes.

I don’t know, she mouthed silently. Adrian caught her arm before she moved away.

“Grab a table,” he said. “At least have a cup of coffee with me.”

Emmie hesitated.

“Please?”

“Okay.” Emmie grabbed a table in the corner and waited while Adrian took a cup and her cinnamon roll from the girl at the counter. He set both down at the table before he went back to grab her a napkin and a fork.

“So”—he sipped his drink—“someone else moved faster. Fair enough. I couldn’t exactly expect the entire town to ignore a beautiful woman moving back to town and opening a fantastically cool bookshop, could I? It’s my own fault. If I hadn’t come across as such an ass at the beginning, I might have convinced you without the book.”

“Listen, Adrian—”

“Give me a shot,” he said simply. “Are you and this guy exclusive?”

“I don’t know. But I have strong feelings for him. I don’t want to mislead you about that.”

“I appreciate that,” he said. “But even knowing that, I still want a shot. And if he hasn’t made it clear to you that he only wants to date you and he doesn’t want you dating anyone else, then that’s on him.”

“Adrian—”

“One dinner. If we get halfway through and there’s nothing there, then it’s just a dinner between old friends, right?” Adrian leaned across the table. “I do want to be friends with you. I like you. I’ve always liked you. If this ends up being just dinner between friends, that’s okay with me. But I’m not going to lie. I want it to be more.” He sat back. “I also need to talk to someone about this book, because I’m not too sure about Marianne and Colonel Brandon. I feel like there’s some odd, paternalistic thing going on there, right?”

Emmie smiled. “Maybe.”

“It can’t just be me that’s weirded out by that.”

“Fine!” She folded her hands. “I will have dinner with you—as friends—but I think that’s all it’s going to be. And I want to pay for my half. It’s not a date, Adrian. I’m not that nimble. Whatever is going on with me and Ox—”

“So it is Ox.” Adrian had a wry smile on his face. “The hovering makes sense now.”

“What?”

“At the opening. He was practically hovering over you the entire night. I wanted to talk to you, but—”

“He knew I was nervous.”

“You didn’t look nervous. You looked amazing.” Adrian cocked his head. “I don’t really know the guy, but it surprises me you want to be with someone who’s so overprotective.”

“He’s not overprotective.” Was he?

Adrian lifted his hands. “Like I said, I don’t know him. I’m sure he’s great.”

He was great. Ox was great. And Adrian was right; he didn’t know Ox. Emmie did.

Didn’t she?

“Sunday night,” Adrian said. “Dinner as friends at Marley’s. We talk about Jane Austen. I flirt with you as you try to resist my charms. It’s a date.” He swiped a finger through the icing that had dripped over the side of her plate. “And I have to get back to work.” He licked the icing off his finger. “Damn, that’s good.”

“It’s not a date.”

Adrian backed away, still licking his lips. “It’s a friend date.”

“Friend dates aren’t a thing.”

He nodded. “I’m pretty sure they are. Bye, Em.”

“Not a thing!”

Seconds after Adrian was out the door, Daisy was at her table. “What are you doing?”

Emmie closed her eyes and covered her face. “I have no idea.”