Free Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan Page B

she didn’t see Owen on the other side of the glass door until she was about to lock him out. She smiled and laughed when he gave her a mocking frown.
    “Trying to get rid of me already?”
    “Not at all. I’m starving and you’re buying.”
    “Ouch.”
    She laughed and put her hand on his jacket lapel. “Sorry. I’m happy to see you. I’ve been looking forward to a quiet dinner.”
    “With me.”
    “That’s why I was looking forward to it,” she admitted, trying not to squirm under his intense blue gaze. She snatched her hand back and grabbed hold of a lock of her hair, hanging over her shoulder. “Um, I need just a minute.”
    “Take your time.”
    Owen stuffed his hands in his pockets and sauntered to one of the display cases by the book shelves, glancing at this and that. She wondered what he was looking for, but scurried behind the counter and boxed up the last of the pastries and brownies from the extra batches she made that day to meet the demand of her many new customers, thanks to the gossip spreading far and wide about Owen dropping her off this morning and why. She hoped at least half came back on a regular basis. She might even be able to buy a new refrigerator for her house.
    She set the bakery box on the counter and dashed to the back bathroom to check her makeup in the mirror. With a little water on her hands, she finger-combed her wavy hair over one shoulder to hang down to her waist. She loved the effect. She swiped on some tinted lip balm to accentuate her mouth and not make her look so pale and washed out.
    She stepped back into the main part of the shop and didn’t see Owen.
    “Where are you?”
    “Back here,” he called.
    She walked past the seven-foot-tall bookcases and found him standing by the back seating area. She loved this alcove the best. Tall windows made the spot bright in the day. In the evening, especially when it got dark earlier in the fall and winter, she had two lamps on side tables that cast a soft glow over the round wood coffee table, leather love seat, and two leather club chairs. Sky-blue and cream-colored pillows offset the deep brown sofa and chairs. A potted fern sat in the center of the coffee table, giving the space a real at-home feel.
    “What are you doing?” she asked, wondering why he stood staring at the alcove.
    “You’re really smart.”
    “You’re basing this on furniture?”
    He laughed and turned to face her. “No. I’ve been in your shop little more than half a dozen times with the girls. I never really paid attention. They love it here.”
    “I’m glad.”
    “You’ve made a place for everything. Coffee with friends up front and outside. A quiet reading spot here to be alone or quiet with friends. Over on the other side, well away from this tucked-away corner, you’ve got an area for the children to sit and read, play games and dress-up that doesn’t disturb others.”
    “Well, too much in a small store,” she added.
    “Yes. Books of all types to please a variety of tastes, just like your selection of treats and lunch items, not to mention the variety of knickknacks and collectibles carefully chosen and displayed.”
    “Um, thanks. This isn’t your kind of store, but your summation pretty much hits the mark.”
    “All those things make this place unique and fun. It’s the way you’ve set up the shop that draws people in and gives them a sense of comfort. It’s why they keep coming back.”
    “I’m glad you like it. Shall we go?”
    “Yes, if we spend any more time alone, I’m going to have to find out.”
    “Find out what?”
    “What it’s like to kiss you.”
    The anxious little butterflies in her stomach she’d been trying to tame all day thinking about their date tonight stirred into a whirlwind of flutters. She swallowed hard, staring up at him. Her gaze fell to his mouth and back to his smoldering eyes.
    “Maybe if we get it out of the way, we can enjoy dinner without constantly thinking about it,” she boldly