48 First Dates (Seeking Romance #1)

The Prince of Books

37

I love reading books,

just not on a first date.

So, my thoughts wandered.

B renn and Libby left without saying goodbye.

Mitzi and Brock left in a fanfare of well-wishes.

And I was left alone with my thoughts and the cute best man top hat charm Daniel had given me before he left. “When you look at it, you’ll know you’re not alone. Someone out there understands,” he had said. I had nodded as I wiped away the tears that formed in my eyes and hugged him.

My mind wandered back to my plans for this afternoon. The ones that I wanted to cancel. Before the wedding, I made a date with the last option in my Royal Swype kingdom, Vincent. With everything that had happened yesterday, I wasn’t sure I could face another first date.

Cynthia, who was heading back to Nashville soon, encouraged me to go anyway. “It’ll be good to get out and get your mind off things,” she said.

Tom was there, too. He looked distracted, but he nodded when Cynthia elbowed him.

I sighed as the two of them returned to discussing their race plan. Cynthia was running her first half-marathon here in two weeks. Tom was running with her, and I was going to cheer them on from the sidelines.

I opened my phone and flicked to the Royal Swype app. Vincent’s profile pic displayed mussed black hair with glasses askew. His bio talked about how he was a librarian who loved books. He was looking for someone with whom he could spend his days by the fire reading.

I sighed again. It didn’t sound like a bad idea, reading by the fire. My head decided to give it a chance, but my heart wanted to put someone else sitting next to me on the fireside couch. That wasn’t possible. That guy was on a plane on his way back to a life that didn’t include my physical presence.

My phone dinged with a text message. I opened it to see an image of a coffee cup next to the fireplace in the coffee shop where we were going to meet.

Vincent

Looking forward to seeing you soon. Can I order you a drink?

Me

Sure, I’d love a chai latte. I’ll be there in ten minutes.

Well, I guess I have to go now. I grabbed my keys and headed out the door. Thankfully, the coffee shop was only a few blocks from my apartment.

When I got there, I recognized Vincent immediately.

He stood as I approached. “Adelaide, so nice to meet you in person.”

He handed me my cup. “Thanks, it smells delicious.”

We both sat down on different chairs near the fireplace. I fumbled with my purse and where to put my chai. His leg bounced as he observed me.

When I got everything settled, I looked up. “So, Vincent, you’re a librarian. What’s that like?”

“Fantastic!” He said with a wide smile. “I get to be surrounded by books all day. My boss encourages me to read a lot so we can recommend books to people. It’s a dream job for a bibliophile.”

“It sounds like it. I understand—that’s how a nature-lover feels about being a park ranger.”

He nodded.

We stared awkwardly at the table for a few minutes before he cleared his throat. “So, I like to do something on first dates, as it tells me a lot about someone.”

“Okay,” I hesitantly said as he heaved up the big bag that had been sitting next to his leg.

“What you read says a lot about who you are. I brought a selection of books, including some of my favorites and the one I’m currently reading. I thought you could pick one out, and we could sit here reading by the fire.”

“Oh, okay.” So, he met what he said in his bio. That wasn’t a euphemism.

He poured the books onto the table and grabbed The Neverending Story. “This is my current read. Go ahead. Pick out yours.”

On the table were the latest from Katherine Center, Robert Galbraith, Lisa Jewell, and AG Riddle. Plus, he had brought an old copy of the Hobbit and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. “Interesting selection.”

“Yep.” He watched me closely as I looked over the books. I had read everyone on the table already, so I selected an old standby, Grimm’s Fairy Tales .

“Hmm, that’s an interesting choice. You’re nostalgic and still believe in fairy tales, looking for a prince, I bet. Excellent sign, Adelaide.” He leaned back and opened his book.

I stared at him for a few minutes, trying to decide if I should get up and leave now or stay and read the book in my hand.

I chose the second option and opened the volume to a random tale, “ Star Dollars.”

I remembered the little-known fairy tale about a girl who gave away all she had and got everything in return. My dad used to read that one to me anytime I was being selfish. The memory made me smile.

I looked up, about to share the memory, but Vincent was completely absorbed in his book. I didn’t want to interrupt.

My mind wandered, and after a few moments, it landed on Brenn. The memory of being in his arms. The tug in my chest when he whispered in my ear. The feeling of my heart ripping out as I watched him walk away after Libby.

That thought reminded me of the reality that I had to let him go.

But how do you let go of someone who remembers everything about you?

How do you let someone go before you even begin?

I looked over at Vincent again. “Can I ask you a question?”

“One minute, let me finish this chapter.” Vincent held up a finger and kept reading.

Especially when all there is to grab onto is someone who doesn’t want to put down his book long enough to have a conversation with you.

I waited until he looked up, leaving a finger to mark his place in the book. “What’s up?”

“Should you tell someone you love them? Even if you know, they may not feel the same way. Or should you let it go and let them be happy?”

His eyes flew wide, and he scooted back in his chair. “Umm...”

“No, don’t tell me. I already know the answer.” I looked down at the table as he quickly opened up his book again.

As Vincent read, I quietly set down the book in my hands, got up, and walked out of the coffee shop. I would add a book charm to the bracelet for Vincent, but there would be nothing more.

Once outside, I dialed Brenn’s number.

“Ads.”

“Brenn, I have to say something, and it’s going to be hard. So just let me get through it.”

“Okay.”

Be brave, Adelaide.

“I love you. That’s what I came to Montana to tell you. That’s what I wanted to say before our dance at the wedding ended. I’ll never forget that moment... There are a lot of moments with you that I will never forget. But, you have someone that will make you happy. Libby looks like she really cares for you. You should give it a real shot with her. And I need to let the idea of us go. I love you, Brenn, but you shouldn’t call me again.”

I swear I heard him saying, “That’s not what I—” as I pressed the end call button.