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Week 1
It was a Tuesday evening when Carson saw her for the first time.
Carson had the closing shift that day, like she did almost every week. Tuesday closing shift usually meant a quiet evening dusting and sorting, making displays, having fun with the staff recommendation cards pinned to the shelves. Not many customers tended to come through on a Tuesday evening. It was Carson’s favourite shift of the week to work.
It was forty minutes to closing when she walked in.
Carson didn’t usually notice the customers, as such. They noted when someone entered the store, smiled and gave them a friendly greeting. Knew all their regulars by name.
But their attention was not usually captured by anyone who entered the store. Or by anyone at all, really.
The woman walked in on a gust of frosty air, accompanied by the clip of boot heels on the hardwood floors, the spicy scent of cologne.
Carson had been deep in the stacks reshelving the Heartstopper volumes. She loved that the kids had all discovered Alice Oseman, but they had no respect for order. Every day she needed to rearrange the graphic novels, separate them from the young adult novels, and put them all back into the correct chronology.
Surely it wasn’t that hard to put something back where you found it?
She had just emerged from between the bookshelves when the tinkle of the bell alerted her that someone had come in.
Carson looked up, a smile of greeting ready on their face… that froze when they got a good look at the customer.
She was tall - a redhead with long luscious curls that cascaded artfully around her face. She wore a knee length camel-toned coat, open over jeans and a sweater. A bright red scarf knotted around her neck. She was pulling leather gloves off long fingers as Carson stuttered to a halt. And when she looked up… Carson was caught in the warmest, richest brown eyes she’d ever seen.
“H… hi.” She had to force the sound out of her suddenly parched throat. “Welcome to Thine Own Shelf. Is… is there something I can… help you with this evening?”
“Hello.” Intensely red lips curved up into a smile as the woman appraised Carson for a moment. “I think I’m happy to browse for a while. If that’s okay?”
“What? Oh. Oh yes, that’s fine. That’s absolutely fine.” Carson stepped away from the stacks, made a sweeping gesture with one arm. “Please, feel free.”
“Thanks.” A flash of a smile, and then the woman disappeared between the shelves, headed towards literary fiction.
Carson placed one hand on their chest. Felt the rapid beat of their heart even through their woollen sweater and button down shirt.
They took a deep breath, shook their head to clear the fuzz that had seemed to gather in their brain since the woman entered the store. What had they been about to do? Recommendation cards, right.
Carson hustled behind the counter, fetched out the stack of custom designed cards that she’d had printed. Picked up her favourite pen, and tapped it against her lips as she thought about what to say about her most recent read.
Marcellus the grumpy old octopus is the star of this heart-warming and heart-wrenching novel that explores the bonds of friendship and family that can transcend age and even species.
So busy concentrating on the neatness of her script that she didn’t notice the woman standing at the counter.
“Hi again.”
Startled, Carson looked up. And up again. The woman was leaning on the counter, towering over Carson’s hunched form.
“Oh. Uh… hi. Is there… do you need some help?”
“Actually… yeah. Yeah I do.”
“Of course.” Carson stood up from their stool. “What can I do to help?”
“I was browsing before…” A long fingered hand waved in the direction of the shelves. “But it’s been… a while since I’ve had the time to read. There were just too many books to choose from.” A pause. “I need… can you give me a recommendation?”
“Sure! I’m always happy to help with those. Just give me some idea about the kind of book you’re after.”
“You mean genre, or…?”
“Whatever you like. Just tell me what you want to get out of a book, or how you want a book to make you feel. Or… not feel.”
“Oh.”
This close up Carson could see that yes, she was beautiful. Perfect makeup, not a hair out of place. But her eyes looked tired, and the corners of her mouth had a slight downward tilt.
“Maybe you want something funny, or to cheer you up?”
The woman shot her a look, somewhere between surprise and a frown. “No. I mean, not today. I’d like…” Her tongue darted out from between red lips, licked the corner of her mouth. “I want to read a story where people actually care about each other. A story where people find each other and… hold on.”
“A romance?”
“No! No, not… a romance.” She shrugged. “Maybe like… a found family?”
“Okay.”
Carson pondered, tapping the pen against their lips as they thought. There were a number of titles that came to mind, but none of them seemed to quite fit the woman standing before them.
The brown eyes staring at them intently… hopefully… weren’t helping them to concentrate either.
Carson couldn’t meet her gaze. Dropped her eyes to the counter where she saw…
“Oh, that’s it!”
“What’s it?”
“Hold on.” She darted out from behind the counter. Ducked over to the favourites table and picked up a book with a bright red toy horse on the cover, before hurrying back.
The woman took the book out of her hands, turning it over to eagerly read the blurb.
Carson watched her eyebrows rise.
“Look… I know it sounds weird. But it was such a great read, and it has all of those things you wanted. Found family, and people who don’t give up on each other, I swear to you.”
“It’s about… an octopus?” Doubtful.
“No! I mean, yes. I mean… he’s one of the main characters, and he’s awesome.”
“I don’t think…”
“Look, I promise… this is the book. Give it a chance.” Carson didn’t know what on earth possessed them, but they reached across the counter. Laid a hand on the woman’s arm, squeezed gently. “I laughed and I cried and I loved every minute of this story, honest.”
Brown eyes stared at them for a long moment. Calculating. Before the woman shrugged.
“Okay, I trust you.” Indicated the register with a flick of her wrist. “I’ll take it.”
Carson scanned the barcode, and rung up the purchase. Carefully taped the book up in a paper bag before handing it over to the woman.
“I hope… you enjoy it as much as I did.” A pause. “And that it gives you… what you’re looking for.”
A sharp look from brown eyes, before they warmed, and softened. “Thanks for your help…?”
“Oh. Carson. I’m Carson.”
“Nice to meet you Carson.” She smiled, and Carson felt the warmth of it down to her toes. “I’m Greta. And… I’ll let you know how I go with it… the book.”
“Please do, I’d really appreciate it.”
One last smile, and Greta turned on a booted heel. Walked out of the front door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 2
Greta walked past Thine Own Shelf three times before she went in the following week. It wasn’t until Tuesday evening - exactly a week since her last visit - that she spotted that cute sales person behind the counter again.
Carson.
She’d promised that she’d be back to let them know what she thought, and Greta never went back on her word.
It was snowing lightly in Rockford that evening, white flakes settled gently on Greta’s coat. Graced her with their ethereal presence for a few seconds before they disappeared, victim to her body heat.
She knocked the worst of the accumulated snow from her boots before she pushed open the door. The bell above Greta’s head announced her entry, and she watched as Carson looked up. The automatic smile on her face shifted… becoming genuine.
“Hi!”
“Hi there.”
Greta took the time to dry her boots thoroughly on the mat. The hardwood floors in the store were beautiful, but she didn’t want to slip and fall on her ass because of snow melt.
When she looked up again Carson was in front of her.
“Welcome back Greta. It’s nice to see you again.” It could have been too pat, too much of a well rehearsed sales line. But from Carson it just felt completely natural.
There was a pleasant tingle of warmth in Greta’s belly, despite the frigid temperatures outside.
“Do you want me to get your coat?”
Carson was again wearing a button down, the tails of the shirt dangling out from underneath a brown argyle sweater. Their name and pronoun badge sat slightly askew, and Greta thought they looked subtly, adorably unkempt.
“No thanks. I’m good to keep it on.”
“O…okay, sure.” Carson stepped back to let Greta move further into the store. “Can I… help you with anything this evening?”
“You can indeed.” She knew she was teasing as she stared intently into Carson’s eyes. Watched as a faint red bloom burst across Carson’s cheeks, and smirked in response. “Can you give me another recommendation?”
“Oh. Sure!” Carson’s whole face lit up. “What are you after this time?”
Greta walked over the counter, leaned on one elbow as she peeled off her gloves. Conscious of Carson as she moved to stand close by, twirling a pen between her fingers.
“What I’d really like is to experience reading Remarkably Bright Creatures all over again. I never thought I could love an octopus so much.”
“Right? Oh my god, I’m so glad you liked it!” Carson’s face simply beamed with delight, and Greta knew she’d made the right decision in waiting to come back. To talk to Carson again. “Did you cry? I cried like a baby. It was just so beautiful. And then Cameron and Tova… and…”
“I did cry.”
She had. And it had been cathartic and strangely healing.
“I’d like… something in a similar vein, if that’s possible. I’d like to read about someone finding their people… where they belong.”
“Right. Okay. Give me a minute to think.” A thoughtful frown replaced Carson’s excited grin, and she started pacing in front of the stacks. Greta suppressed a smile as Carson murmured to herself, shrugging and gesturing and clearly in the middle of an intense conversation with herself.
She froze. “Ah ha!” Looked at Greta quickly. “Do you mind what genre?”
Greta shrugged. “Not really.”
“Will you read sci-fi?”
“Absolutely. Teenage me read so much Anne McCaffrey and Julian May and Ursula K Le Guin.”
Carson actually let out a little yell of excitement. “How badly did you want to have a fire lizard?”
“So much.”
“What colour did you want?”
Greta scoffed. “Gold, of course.”
Carson laughed, joyous, and Greta could not stop the answering grin from stretching her own face. Unused to the feel of simple happiness. “Of course. I always wanted to have a little green. Or maybe a pair, one blue, one green.”
They smiled up at her, and Greta felt that tingle of warmth in her belly again.
“So is that your recommendation? That I should re-read the Dragonriders of Pern?”
“What? Oh no!” They trotted off into the bookshelves, came back a minute later holding a book with a dark cover. Handed it to Greta. “Here. Have you read this before?”
Greta studied the image on the cover for a moment - a person, alone, standing in front of a sweeping galaxy. The blurb appealed to her - a woman needing some distance from her past, learning to love and trust again.
“This sounds perfect.”
Carson beamed. She smiled with her whole face, practically with her whole body. She really was very cute.
“It’s one of my absolute favourite books of the last decade! There’s a whole series now, as well, if you like that one. The author, Becky Chambers, she’s amazing!”
“You’ve convinced me.” Greta gestured to the counter. “Let me pay so I can get home and start reading.”
“Oh… of course.”
Carson almost skipped behind the counter, scanned the barcode and rung up Greta’s purchase. Methodically taped the book into a paper bag, carefully folding each corner.
“I really hope you love it.”
“I’m sure I will.”
“Come and tell me if you do?”
“You can count on it.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 3
Tuesday evening rolled around and Carson could not help but wonder if she’d get another visit from Greta. She certainly hoped so. Rather than sit at the counter and watch the seconds tick by and wonder, Carson went deep into the stacks with a dusting cloth. Decided to tackle biographies first.
They sighed as they noticed the books out of order. Someone had clearly been fossicking through the shelves, and had replaced things wherever they liked. Anthony Kiedis had wound up next to Barack Obama. Ridiculous.
How was anyone supposed to find anything with all this disorder?
They had half of the shelves out on a sorting trolley and were grumbling furiously to themselves about people having no respect for the alphabet when they heard the tinkle of the door chime.
It was almost a Pavlovian response. Carson’s head raised and she listened intently, her heart thumping as she heard the telltale clip of boots on floorboards.
“Hello? Carson?”
“Hi Greta!” She’d just scrambled to her feet when red curls popped around the corner of the stack.
This afternoon Greta had on a black coat, which she unbuttoned to reveal a red business shirt and black slacks. A dark tie completed the look - in a perfect windsor knot - and black leather ankle boots.
Carson found it suddenly hard to breathe.
“Hey! I wasn’t sure you were even here.” Greta smiled, warm and friendly, and Carson hoped the answering grin that jumped immediately to their own face didn’t look as stupid as they suddenly felt.
“Yeah, I was just… uh…” They gestured behind them to the trolley, and when brown eyes cut away to look in that direction, they were able to breathe again.
“Doing some reshelving?”
Carson nodded. Then shook herself. “Is there… uh… can I help you with something… or…?”
“I came by to get the other books in the series.”
“Becky Chambers? The Wayfarers series?”
“Yes. I absolutely loved it, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet.”
“How good is it?!?” Carson knew they were bubbling with excitement, but they didn’t care. “Here, I’ll get the rest of the books for you.” They brushed past Greta, who still stood at the end of the stacks. Their shoulder brushed against Greta’s chest for a split second, and they could have sworn they heard the redhead inhale sharply. Pushed the thought aside, because… they must have been imagining it.
Carson trotted down the next aisle towards Sci-Fi / Fantasy. “Who was your favourite character? I mean, I love them ALL but I have such a soft spot for Ohan, and of course you have to love Sissix, and don’t even get me started on Jenks and Lovelace. Oh my god Lovey, did you cry? I cried my eyes out, and…”
During her monologue Carson had made it to the correct shelf, pulled out the three other books in the series. Turned back to the front of the store and almost collided with Greta.
“Oh!”
They were only inches apart, separated by the thickness of the three books. Up close Carson could see darker brown rings that encircled the irises of Greta’s eyes, faint lines surrounding her eyes and mouth.
“I’m so sorry! I didn’t realise you’d followed me.”
Greta smiled. “It’s okay.” She took a step back, peered past Carson towards the shelves. “Do you have the novella as well?”
Carson wrinkled their nose. “We do. It’s not… it’s great and all, but it’s just not on the same level.”
“No?”
“If you really want to read it I can lend you my copy.” Leaned in. “If you don’t want to pay for it.” Whispered.
Greta laughed, head up, brown eyes twinkling.
Carson’s heart thumped happily in response, and she wanted nothing more in that moment than to make the redhead laugh again.
“I’m happy to pay for it, Carson.” One long arm reached past Carson’s shoulder, and Carson froze. Caught in the closeness and the smell of Greta’s cologne - sharp and spicy, and just a little bit christmassy.
Greta winked at her. Actually winked. Before she turned and headed towards the front of the store.
Carson trailed behind her. Placed the three books on top of the novella that Greta had laid on the counter.
“Sissix I think.”
“Hmmn?”
“You asked me who my favourite character was.”
“Oh… yeah.”
“That whole storyline where she went to visit her hatch family…”
“Oh, I know!”
“I did not expect that she and Rosemary would…”
“Make a feather family? Me either! That was like… the best surprise!”
“It was exactly what I wanted, Carson. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
They smiled at each other, and Carson could feel something burbling just beneath the surface. A frisson of energy.
They swallowed. Tamped down the feeling.
“Is there anything else you were after?”
“Well…” One long finger tapped against red lips, brown eyes twinkled. “You’ve been doing so well with these recommendations. What else have you got for me?”
“I mean… I may have been thinking about this a little bit.” Or like, incessantly since last Tuesday. But they weren’t about to tell Greta they had a whole LIST of recommendations ready for whatever the redhead was in the mood for.
“So what’ll it be?”
“It depends on what you want, Greta.” That came out a little huskier than Carson anticipated, and she swallowed. Cleared her throat. “Did you want to read something similar?”
“Yeah, why not? It’s been working for me at the moment.”
“Okay, well… I have the perfect thing.” Carson retreated to the favourites table, and picked up the story they had hoped to be able to share with Greta.
Greta eyed the book dubiously when Carson handed it over. “This looks… familiar.” The book had a dark cover, a koi fish swimming across a starscape.
“I know the cover might look the same but… trust me. They are nothing alike.” Earnest.
Greta raised an eyebrow, sceptical. Flipped the book to read the blurb. And Carson almost giggled at the look of bemusement on the taller woman’s face.
“Demons? And violins? And aliens?”
“Look, it is a ride, let me tell you. It takes some adjusting, some time to get into, but… it’s also beautiful and heartfelt and I loved it so much.”
“Donuts?”
Carson laughed. “Trust me. If you’re still in the mood for found family and finding a place to belong… this is the ticket.”
Greta gave her a long, hard look. And shrugged. “Well, I’ve adored both of the books you’ve recommended so far. Let’s give this one a go as well.”
She placed it down on top of her pile, and waited for Carson to scamper behind the counter. They rung up Greta’s purchase, and packed the four books into a paper carry bag, holding the handles up so Greta could take it once she’d finished buttoning her coat.
Their fingers brushed as Greta took the bag from them, and Carson ruthlessly bit back the urge to gasp. To let their fingers slide against each other just a bit longer than necessary. They thrust their hands into the pockets of their chinos.
“I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!” Hoped their voice was as even and carefree as they intended.
“Me too.” Greta smiled. Slow and warm and Carson felt an answering warmth deep in her belly.
“See you next week?”
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 4
“Welcome to Thine Own Shelf, I’ll be with you in a moment.”
Carson had their head stuck inside a box, their ass up in the air. Greta took that moment to enjoy the view before she responded.
“Hi Carson.”
“Whu… uh…” Carson scrambled backwards, tripping over her own feet and ending up on her ass. Face flushed bright red. “Greta! Hi!”
“Hey chickadee. Whatcha doing down there?”
Greta had taken a chance. Left work a little early that Tuesday, and headed down to the bookstore. And had been rewarded with a flustered Carson, cheeks still glowing with embarrassment.
“Ah… I was just… unpacking some… new stock.”
“Do you need some help getting back up?”
Greta extended a hand down. Carson stared at it blankly for a long moment, before blinking. Reached out and grasped Greta’s hand with their own. Their hand was unexpectedly calloused, their grip strong. It made Greta wonder what else Carson did with their time, even as she hauled them to their feet.
Carson stood and gaped at her for a long moment before she shook her head. “I wasn’t expecting you until later?”
“I’m a little earlier than usual.” Greta smiled, shrugged one shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind, I just didn’t want to wait for my book recommendation this week.”
She saw Carson swallow hard.
It had been so nice interacting with Carson each week. She was cute and sweet and easy to talk to, so excited by books and her job… it was refreshing. And she responded so nicely to Greta’s easy flirtation.
There wasn’t really anything serious behind it on Greta’s part. She was still a bit wary, still cautious about even the idea of dating. But the open and honest way that Carson reacted to Greta… made her heart hum just a little.
“How did you go with…?”
“Light From Uncommon Stars?” Greta pursed her lips, thinking. “Honestly when I started reading it…” She paused. “I thought you’d missed the mark, recommending it. But I persevered and then… I loved it. I just wanted to wrap Katrina up and protect her. And the whole Shizuka and Lan thing… I did not see that coming.”
“Right?” Carson grinned, dimples punctuating their cheeks. “Of course, the main problem with that book was that it made me so hungry.”
“Oh my god, yes! I had to go and get donuts after I finished it.”
Carson threw her head back as she laughed, so completely in the moment. It was infectious, and Greta found herself chuckling as well.
Taking a deep breath, Carson bent over and picked up a stack of books from the floor. Placed them on the counter, and squared their shoulders before turning back to Greta.
“So what did you have in mind for this week?”
Greta studied them for a moment. They’d been so artless and open just a moment ago, and now Greta could see the careful reserve. What had happened?
“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?”
“I mean…” They took another breath, and gestured. “Is there something different you’re interested in, or did you want more of the same?”
“I’m still really enjoying the found family thing… and the characters finding their people, so… more of the same, I guess.” And it was true - each one of these stories had soothed her battered heart a little - had made her believe that one day she’d find someone who was her person. And she was theirs.
“Okay. Then I’ve got a couple of options for you, from the same author.” Carson ducked behind the counter, and came back with two books she’d obviously placed there in preparation. “TJ Klune. He usually writes YA, but these two are both adult fiction.” She placed them cover up on the counter for Greta to see. The illustrations on both were beautiful, but they looked like they could be marketed to a younger audience.
“They’re not YA?”
“No. I know the covers don’t really look it but… these are both gorgeous stories about not only finding your people but also about finding your place in the world… and figuring out what really matters.”
“That… sounds perfect. Which do you recommend more?”
“I…” Carson looked at her then. Properly looked at her. Greta stayed still, waiting for Carson to finish her perusal. “I loved them both, but… this one…” She placed her hand on Under the Whispering Door. “It made me smile through my tears, so…” She shrugged. “Maybe go with Cerulean Sea for now.”
Greta wondered what Carson had seen in her face.
“How about… I take both? I can start with this one and… see how I go with the other.”
“Sure, no problem.” Carson kept their head bent as they arranged the purchase. Taped the books into a paper bag and placed it on the counter.
“Thanks Carson.”
“You’re welcome.” The smile was automatic, and there was no dimple this time.
“I’ll see you in a week’s time?”
“Great! I hope you enjoy the books.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 5
Carson wondered if Greta would even come back this week, given how awkward she’d been with her last time.
Max’s words had been fresh in Carson’s mind. After Carson had talked of nothing but Greta throughout their usual Monday night dinner, Max had looked at them seriously. Told them just to be a little bit cautious. It was one thing to have a harmless bit of flirtation with a customer, but… it was Carson’s workplace, the job that Carson loved.
Did she really want to risk that to impress a pretty lady?
Carson had just looked at Max.
And Max had reached over and clasped her hand. “If you like this woman, Car… ask her out. Take her somewhere that isn’t the place that you work.”
But Carson didn’t have the guts to do that.
Greta… was so ridiculously beautiful. So professional and put together, and Carson… was a disaster. Greta was so far out of Carson’s league…
The door chime tinkled, and a breeze blew through the door, bringing with it a familiar figure.
Carson’s heart stuttered.
And then brown eyes looked up and pinned them in place behind the counter.
“Carson! Why did you let me buy it, I cried like a fucking baby!”
“I… I… I mean…”
“I know you warned me, but I didn’t think I’d be sobbing into my pillow at 2am.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Greta had stamped the snow off her boots, loosened her scarf. Unbuttoned the camel coloured coat to reveal a creamy knit turtleneck sweater over form fitting grey slacks. “It was wildly beautiful. They both were and I loved every moment. I just didn’t expect to have my heart ripped so comprehensively out of my chest.”
“I did warn you.” Voice small.
Greta walked across the store to the counter, her boots making that clip clip sound that Carson now identified with Greta’s presence. The redhead leaned forward, one elbow on the counter.
“I know. And I followed your advice. I read Cerulean Sea and I loved it so much I had to dive into the Whispering Door straight away.” She sighed, dramatic. “And then I couldn’t stop.”
Carson smiled back at Greta, incredibly grateful that the redhead didn’t seem put off by their anxious behaviour the previous week. “So did you prefer Whispering Door then?”
“What? Oh no, Cerulean Sea was easily my favourite. I wanted to give Theodore all the little shiny things.”
“How cute was he? And Sal…”
“Sal broke my heart, I just wanted to wrap him up and love him.”
They smiled at each other, the glass counter between them. Greta straightened then, unwound the scarf from around her neck and held it in front of her.
“You haven’t led me astray yet with these recommendations. I’m curious to see what you come up with for me this week.”
“Do you have...?”
Greta held up a hand to stop her.
“I’m not giving you any direction this time. Tell me a book you think I’ll love.”
And then she just looked at her. Brown eyes warm and confident and it felt like Greta could see all the way into Carson’s soul. See all the insecurities and anxieties, and Carson felt her face heat. Had to look away.
“Well… there’s a book that I read a few months ago and really enjoyed. It’s lyrical and mysterious and it’s about books but it’s also about belief and love. It’s probably the best fairytale I’ve ever read.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
“Have you read Erin Morgenstern before? The Night Circus?”
Greta shook her head, perfect red curls bracketing her face and swishing in symmetry.
She really was unfairly beautiful.
“I’ve heard of Night Circus, but I never… got around to it.”
“I thoroughly recommend that one too, but The Starless Sea… really captured me. Whenever I had to stop reading it I felt like I was wading my way back into reality. I was completely immersed.”
Carson saw the expectant look on Greta’s face. Reached under the counter and pulled out a copy of the book. Gratified by the way Greta’s eyes widened in appreciation.
“We only had a hardcover edition left in stock. It’s a beautiful copy, but… it is a little more expensive.”
Long fingers reached out and traced the gold inlay decoration.
“It’s exquisite.”
Carson had to bite back the urge to say that it wasn’t as exquisite as the woman in front of them.
Focused instead on sorting out the purchase, and taping the book into its brown paper bag. When they looked up, Greta was studying them. Brown eyes inquisitive.
“Uhhhh… what? Did… you…need something else?”
“I was just wondering if everything is okay? You seemed a bit… off… last week?”
“Oh.” Carson shrugged. “Yeah, I’m fine. I just…” She thought about what to say. How to phrase it. “I was struggling a bit with my anxiety last week. I’m sorry that I wasn’t my usual self.”
Brown eyes softened. Became impossibly warmer. Greta reached out a hand, then clearly thought better of it. “You were fine, I was just… concerned.” A pause, and long fingers bunched in the wool of her scarf. “I’m sorry you were going through that.”
“It’s fine, I…” A breath. “Thank you.”
Greta smiled. Picked up the parcel. “Same time next week?”
“For sure. I’ll see you then.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 6
It was a hectic week at work, and Greta ended up working most of Saturday on a juvenile justice case that cropped up on the court rolls last minute on Friday. So she missed hours of reading time, and toyed briefly with the idea of postponing her usual Tuesday visit to Thine Own Shelf.
The thought of not seeing Carson though… made her stomach drop. Made her heart a little mournful. So instead she cancelled her regular Sunday brunch with Joey, knowing her childhood friend would grumble - but ultimately give her a rain check without question.
Even so, it was the early hours of Tuesday morning before Greta finished the book. And by Tuesday afternoon she was more than a little weary. Pushed through the doors to the bookshop with three clearly defined goals. See Carson’s smile, get her book for the week, and go home to bed.
The smile happened immediately upon Greta’s entrance. Carson stood at the centre table, dusting cloth in hand. They lifted each book pile carefully, wiped the books and the surrounding surface. And as soon as they registered Greta’s presence…
It always sounded like a cliche but Greta decided that in Carson’s case the cliche was true. Her smile really did light up her whole face. Her eyes sparkled, welcoming, and the dimples in her cheeks popped out to give their own greeting.
Greta basked in that smile for a long moment, feeling a little of her exhaustion dissipate.
“Greta! Hi!”
“Hi yourself.”
Carson tucked the dusting cloth into the back pocket of their jeans, ambled forward to meet Greta. They had a white button down shirt tucked into their jeans, a grey pinstripe waistcoat buttoned over the top. A rainbow pocket square completed the look.
They were super queer, and super adorable.
“How… are you?”
That was new. Carson usually got straight into the book talk - bypassed routine social pleasantries. Greta respected their focus. But at the same time… branching out into the niceties seemed… promising.
“I’m wrecked. It’s been a week - and somehow it’s only Tuesday.”
Carson’s face crumpled in concern. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
“It happens. And I made it much worse for myself by staying up until stupidly late this morning to finish Starless Sea.”
It was interesting to watch the range of expressions morph across Carson’s face. Some of them were too fleeting to register, but they finally settled on something that looked like chagrin - although their eyes were sparkling with far too much excitement to seem entirely regretful.
And Greta couldn’t help herself.
“You look cute today.”
She wondered if Carson got a little light headed given the instant rush of blood to her head - cheeks and throat flushing bright red. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, clearly searching for a response. Broke eye contact, and rubbed her hands down her belly, smoothing non-existent wrinkles from the waistcoat. Before she peered up at Greta again.
“Uh… thanks?”
Greta let herself smile - knew it was exactly as flirty and teasing as it felt on her mouth when Carson inhaled sharply. Winked, and then brushed past Carson to walk further into the store, letting their shoulders touch gently.
She went and perused the selection on the centre table just to give Carson a moment to recover.
“H… how… did you go with… Starless Sea?”
“Oh, it was glorious. And exactly like you said, I got completely immersed in it. Now I really want to read Sweet Sorrows.”
“Yes! Oh that would be so good.”
“It was so evocative - so visual - I felt like I was right there in the library. I’ve been smelling honey for days.”
“Yes, I…”
Carson scooted over to the back wall where a selection of book related gift items were housed. Scanned the shelves before giving a little ah ha cry. They picked up a small box, and hurried back to Greta, holding out the object.
“As soon as I finished reading it I convinced the boss to order these in.”
It was a candle. Greta opened the box carefully, releasing the rich scent of good beeswax and honey.
“Oh my god.”
“Right? I’ve had one of these in my apartment ever since.”
“Well, this one is going to come home with me today.”
Carson grinned. “And are you ready for your next book?”
“I am. I am going to take it directly home to bed. Possibly via a bubble bath first, but that depends how tired I am when I actually get home.”
Greta could just about hear the cogs turning in Carson’s brain as she stood there. Mouth open, almost sputtering.
She must really be tired to be quite so blunt.
“Sorry Carson. That was a little too forward of me.”
Carson blinked then. Owlish. Before meeting Greta’s apologetic gaze. “What? Oh… uh… that’s fine… that’s… it’s really… okay.” They shook their head. “Are you… happy with dealer’s choice again this week?”
“I am. Hit me up.”
She ducked behind the counter, bent down to retrieve a book. Placed it on the glass, rotating it so that it faced Greta. A stylised woman’s face wearing a diadem - printed in orange on a black background.
“It’s…”
“Don’t tell me. Let me discover it for myself. Just… am I going to cry?”
“I think you’ll be safe with this one.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 7
They’d almost done it last week. Almost used the momentum of Greta’s flirting to just open their mouth and ask Greta to go for a coffee. But the redhead had looked genuinely exhausted - absolutely gorgeous, but the fatigue was nonetheless evident on her face. In the way she held her body.
So Carson had chickened out and now she’d spent all week second guessing herself.
It just wasn’t who she was. Carson Shaw didn’t just go up to beautiful women and ask them on a date. In fact, the very thought made her want to hyperventilate.
Books were Carson’s thing. Finding the perfect story for someone - that was Carson’s love language.
So Carson decided to flirt with Greta the only way they knew how.
Through their book recommendations.
Carson sat down and thought about all the books she’d already recommended to Greta. Most of them were queer, but the romance - if it was there at all - was a side story. That had to change.
The next book was an obvious choice. It was still selling quickly, still on the bestseller list. Carson spent a couple of hours on Tuesday afternoon making a display right on the front counter. So they could just casually lean over and pick it up and ask if Greta had already read it.
It was an unseasonably warm day and Greta walked in on a waft of breeze that felt on the cusp of spring. Her coat was open, and she shrugged it off to reveal a short sleeved red blouse, a matching red pencil skirt. Her customary boots had been replaced by red high heels.
Carson concentrated very hard on breathing for a long moment. Almost missed Greta’s greeting.
“Hiya!”
Had to clear her throat. “Hi.”
“How nice is this sun today? I don’t feel like an ice block for the first time in months.”
“Yeah, it’s… great. If it keeps up like this we’ll be able to start softball training soon.”
“Ahhhhh…” Brown eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
“What?”
“I knew there had to be a reason why your hands felt they way they did. Softball makes so much sense.”
“Uh…”
Greta had been thinking about her hands?
“Oh never mind me. I just like to find the answers to those kinds of puzzles.”
“Oh… kay.”
Carson couldn’t help it. They looked down, spread their fingers wide to check their hands. Almost choked on an inhale when a long finger reached out, traced across the hardened skin at the top of their palm.
“See here? If all you did was work with books all day… you wouldn’t have this.”
Barely breathing, Carson looked up. Greta stood right next to her - and even through her breathlessness Carson could smell the spicy scent of her.
Greta smiled. Squeezed her fingers lightly before she stepped back.
“So I loved Circe. I mean, you haven’t steered me wrong yet on even one of your recommendations, but Circe… felt a bit different?”
“Maybe because it’s less about Circe finding her place and more about her finding her power?”
“Yeah. That could be it. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed it. I adore Greek mythology retellings, especially ones where it’s not just all about the men.” Brown eyes rolled expressively.
Carson giggled. Actually giggled.
Sometimes… she didn’t know who she was around Greta.
“But all the same it just… had a different vibe to the rest of your books? I don’t really know how to put it into words.” She shrugged. “So I’m keen to know what you’ve got for me this time.”
Carson gestured towards the front counter, indicating that Greta should follow them. Pointed to the display they had painstakingly created.
“Have you read this one?”
“I’ve heard people talking about it, but no. I haven’t gotten to it yet.”
They picked up the frontmost copy of the book. The one that they’d selected specially for Greta, that had no marks or blemishes or creases. A perfect copy.
Greta took it from their hands, one eyebrow raised doubtfully.
“This is your next read. And it’s not just a cop out. I was sceptical too because so often the buzziest books are just… not all that good. I mean, look at Colleen Hoover. But this one… this one lives up to the hype and then some.” Carson paused. “But… it’s probably going to make you cry again, so…”
“I’ll consider myself warned.” Long fingers stroked the image on the cover, a woman in a floor length green ball gown. “Alright. I’ve got no reason to doubt your judgement now, after so many perfect recommendations. I’ll take Evelyn Hugo home with me and see how we get along.”
“Pretty sure you’re going to get along really well.”
Greta shot her a look, but didn’t reply.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 8
She did get on quite well with Evelyn Hugo as it turned out. Or rather, they had a tumultuous relationship in which Greta loved the story, but it triggered some uncomfortable memories.
She’d been in both Evelyn and Celia’s positions in some of her previous relationships, and…
Well, the less said about that the better.
Greta clutched her scarf tight around her neck as she opened the door to Thine Own Shelf that evening. Illinois had decided that it wasn’t quite ready to relinquish its grip on winter, and the wind blowing right across the lake felt like it was coming directly from the Arctic Circle.
She shivered, grateful for the warm blast of air that greeted her inside the store. Carson must have the heating cranked.
Greta took her time unwinding her scarf. Unbuttoning her coat. It had been a tense day at work, trying to balance three cases that were all going before the judge in a matter of days, and… she just needed a moment to breathe.
When she finally looked up Carson was nowhere in sight. Greta prowled the stacks, finding them finally in front of the children’s picture books. Ostensibly dusting the shelves, but Greta could see a large illustrated page open on Carson’s lap. A fond smile on their face.
Greta would have loved to snap a photo, but she didn’t want to be intrusive.
“Carson.” Soft.
“Hmmn?”
Carson looked up, the smile on her face brightening when she caught sight of Greta.
“Hey!”
“Hi chickadee. Are you having fun with the picture books?”
“I am! They’re an undervalued part of literature.”
Carson closed the book reverently - slotted it back into its place in the display - before scrambling to their feet. They popped up right in front of Greta and… she had to suppress the urge to wrap her arms around them. Indulge herself in a hug.
They weren’t there yet, but… something inside her thought they might be moving in the right direction.
Carson looked at her for a moment, her smile fading a fraction. “Rough day?”
They barely knew each other, yet Carson was able to easily intuit when Greta was… feeling a bit off. That was comforting - and a little alarming if she thought too hard about it.
“Just really busy with work.” Greta shrugged.
Carson’s face twisted in sympathy.
“Wanna talk about it?”
“Not really.”
And Carson smiled. So effortlessly accommodating and accepting.
“Okay.” They gestured for Greta to precede them out of the stacks. Led her to the armchairs that were arranged in the reading nook. “Take a load off. Would you like some tea?”
“Oh no. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“It’s no bother, honestly.” And they trotted off behind the counter, disappeared through the open storeroom door. Greta heard the sound of a kettle being filled, the clink of a mug on a counter. Carson hummed tunelessly, and Greta… relaxed into the armchair.
Let her mind drift.
It felt like only a moment later that Carson reappeared in front of her with a steaming mug.
“It’s peppermint. I didn’t know what you’d like, but I didn’t want to give you anything caffeinated at this time of the day.”
“Thank you.”
Carson was just so… thoughtful. She smiled at Greta and then simply left her there. Moved back behind the counter and began sorting some papers.
Greta sipped her tea, letting Carson’s quiet company soothe her. She felt much better by the time the mug was empty. Stood and walked to the counter. As she handed it back to Carson their fingertips tangled briefly.
Carson inhaled audibly, and Greta… felt the tingle all the way up her arm. Was almost ready to say something when…
“So… how did you get on with Evelyn Hugo?”
Okay. Not yet.
“It was wonderful. Heartbreaking, and infuriating at times, but…”
“Yeah. It was tragically beautiful.”
“It was.”
“I didn’t want that to be the end for them.”
“Mmmm. But… it was inevitable.”
“Did it make you cry?”
“Of course. I cried like a baby by the end.”
Carson had the decency to look remorseful at that. “I keep doing that to you, I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. If a book is good enough to elicit emotions, then it’s well written and worth reading.”
“I know. But… the next one hopefully won’t make you cry at least.” They reached under the counter and pulled out a book with a pink and purple cover. “You need to persevere with this one. It’ll seem like it can’t possibly work out, but…” They grinned. “It’s got a happy ending, I swear.”
“I trust you.” And Greta did.
Carson rung up the purchase, taped the book methodically into a paper bag. It was almost ritualistic, the way she carefully folded each corner. Placed the tape just so.
It fit with the quiet, solemn mood of the evening.
“See you next week?”
“I’m already looking forward to it.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 9
Carson thought about Greta all week, concern occupying a back corner of her mind. The redhead has seemed… drained. Overtaxed. And Carson hoped that she’d taken some time out to rest and look after herself.
They wondered too how Greta had gone with the story. It was the first romance that they’d recommended - Evelyn Hugo didn’t really count because there wasn’t a happy ever after ending. And Greta had been so adamant to begin with that she didn’t want a romance. But… Carson was trying to send a message here.
They looked down at the title they’d selected for Greta today. Side by side you’d be forgiven for thinking they were connected somehow. Both purple, both with hand drawn illustrations on the cover. And they were both sapphic romances, Carson had to concede that. But otherwise…
The door chimed tinkled brightly, and Carson looked up. Straight into twinkling brown eyes and red lips curved up in greeting, and their heart tripped. Skipped a beat somewhere along the line, and then pumped furiously.
“Carson!”
“Hey Greta.”
Carson could have no more stopped the smile that came to her face in response than she could have sprouted wings and flown around the store.
The redhead folded up her umbrella, slotted it into the stand by the door. Wiped her booted feet firmly on the mat before joining Carson at the counter.
“How has your week been chickadee?”
“Pretty good. Training started on Sunday, so my legs are a little sore. Not used to all that squatting.”
“You’re a catcher?”
“Uh huh.”
“Nice.” Greta’s eyes took a little tour down Carson’s body - paused at their thighs briefly before coming back up to meet their gaze.
They could feel their face flushing red in response. Wished that their body wasn’t so intent on embarrassing them. They squirmed in place for a moment, before taking a breath.
“How… I mean… Are you… okay? Are you feeling better?”
“I am yeah.” Greta smiled again. Honest and reassuring. “Last week was just a bit crazy. But I had a really good win today, so that makes up for it all.”
“That’s amazing Greta. I’m really happy for you.”
“Thanks.”
They smiled at each other a beat longer, before Carson had to look away.
“So…” She picked up a pen off the counter, twirled it absently through her fingers. “How did you go with One Last Stop?”
“Carson?”
“Yeah?”
They looked up into warm brown eyes, and their stomach swooped. “I loved it so much, oh my god.”
“You did?”
“Uh huh. I was rooting so hard for their plan to work, I nearly died when Jane disappeared, I was yelling at the book I swear!”
Carson laughed. “Pretty sure I was doing that too, the first time I read it.” They paused. “It’s better the second time honestly. You don’t have to worry about what’s coming next.”
“That’s half the fun though. I genuinely did not know how it was going to end up.”
“But I said…”
“I know you did. But I was deliberately trying to put that out of my mind.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. And besides, Jane just getting out of the Q line was happy ending enough. Not being stuck there forever, fading into obscurity…” Greta shuddered. “The fact that they made it back to each other just… made it that much better than it already was.”
Carson nodded. “It was for sure one of my favourite reads last year.”
“I can see why.”
“Have you… did you read any of her other stuff? Casey McQuiston?”
“No, I haven’t. I think I told you a while ago… I haven’t… been able to read a great deal. Not for the last few years.”
“Well, you’re in for a treat there. Red, White and Royal Blue is fabulous - and they’re making a movie of it now. And there’s Shara Wheeler as well. That’s YA, but don’t hold that against it. It’s a great read too.”
Greta smiled at them. Fond. A little flirty. “You’re cute when you ramble about books.”
Carson was pretty sure even her scalp was blushing.
“Uh… I… urrr…”
“So… what’s on my agenda for this week?”
Still unable to find words, Carson grabbed the book off the counter. Thrust it in Greta’s direction.
Greta’s laugh was musical and lilting - and just a tiny bit dirty. There was a knowing quality about it that made Carson’s eardrums (and maybe some other parts of her) vibrate pleasantly. She watched as Greta flipped the book over, read through the blurb quickly - eyebrows raising.
“Well… this looks fun.”
“It… It’s… great.”
Another laugh, and Greta pinned them in place with a teasing look. “Are you going to be able to speak in anything other than monosyllables?”
“Uh… I mean… possibly?”
“Well, that’s a start.”
Greta paid for the book, waited patiently as Carson tucked it into its protective paper bag. They glanced out of the window, noted that the rain was still falling steadily.
“Should I put this into a plastic bag for you so it doesn’t get wet?”
“That would be wonderful. Thanks Carson.”
“You… you’re welcome.”
“I’ll be back in a week, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to have some things to say about this one.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me too.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Week 10
Greta was beginning to suspect there was a theme developing in Carson’s recommendations. But she wasn’t one hundred percent confident, and so she didn’t walk into Thine Own Self and do what she wanted to do.
Which was kiss Carson.
She really wanted to though. Quite intensely.
She’d second guessed the book choices all week. Laid them all out in a row on her dining table and thought about the journey that they’d taken her on.
Surely… surely there was a point to this. There had to be.
So Greta resolved to see what Carson’s recommendation was this week. And if it was another lesbian romance, well… she might have to call them out. Because Greta wasn’t sure she could endure this oh so proper and very gentle flirting any longer.
Delilah Green had made her feel some things.
Tuesday morning she chose her favourite dress to wear. The spring weather was holding, and though she’d probably be a bit chilly in the morning, it would be perfect for the afternoon sun that the weatherman had promised. Before she left work that day she touched up her makeup. Straightened the seam on the back of her stockings. Tidied her curls until they sat just so.
Her colleague Jess caught her primping in the bathroom just before she was about to head out. Laconic as always, they gave her the once over. Asked if she had a hot date.
Greta had winked. Told them she hoped so.
And now she pushed open the door to Thine Own Shelf with an effervescent bubble of excitement in her belly - the door chime a comforting reminder that she was about to see Carson.
Her heels clicked on the floor, loud in the stillness of the bookshop.
Carson’s head popped out from between the stacks a moment later, and Greta had great satisfaction in seeing her eyes widen comically. The lingering up and down look that ended with Carson breathing erratically. Hazel brown eyes just a bit glazed.
“Hi Carson!”
“H… h… hi… G… Greta.”
Oooh, stuttering. That was a good sign.
They ambled out from between the shelves, finally made their way over to stand in front of Greta. Shook their head slightly.
“How’s it going Carson? Busy week?”
“Uhhh… not really. I mean, it’s… I’m… going well.” They swallowed. “How… are you? How was your week?”
“It was fine, you know. Same old, same old. But…” She paused, shot Carson a coy look. “All the better for being here now.”
Carson just opened and closed her mouth.
Greta let her impersonate a goldfish for a moment before taking pity on her. Brushed past to go and settle herself in one of the armchairs. She smoothed down her skirt, crossed her legs and made sure there was just a hint of thigh showing. Giggled to herself when Carson’s eyes tracked right there, before she must have given herself a stern talking to.
Carson moved over to the front counter. Leaned back against it with both elbows on the glass behind them. They were wearing a pair of beige chinos, a green long sleeve shirt tucked in, complete with a leather belt. And Vans. Of course.
“You had some good weather for training this weekend.”
“Oh. Yeah. The ground was almost dry, it was great. Although I still came home covered in mud.”
“Of course you did.”
“Yeah.”
“Hard to play ball without gettin’ a little dirty.”
“Uh. Yeah. That’s… true.” They blinked at her for a second. Swallowed hard. “So… how did you… like the book… this week?” They were trying to be so casual.
Greta didn’t bother to suppress her smile. “It was great.”
“Yeah?”
“Uh huh.” She kept smiling. Waiting for Carson.
“Did you… uh… I mean… who was your favourite character?”
Greta shrugged. “Well, Delilah is hot as fuck, but… I kinda liked Claire more. I’ve got a soft spot for clever nerds.” She uncrossed her legs, then crossed them back over the other way.
Carson’s gaze riveted to the movement of her legs. “Uh… you do?”
“Oh yeah. I’ve got a real thing for smart, bookish types.” She didn’t usually. Well, the smart part but… there was something about Carson that just… intrigued Greta so very much.
“R… r… really?”
“Yep.”
“That’s… that’s… good to… know.” Carson flushed bright red again.
Greta wet the corner of her lips with her tongue. Waited until Carson’s eye tracked the movement, before pinning her with a teasing look. “So… what have you got for me this week Carson?”
“Uh… well…” They reached behind them blindly, fingers finding the corner of two books that had been laid on the counter. “I… picked a couple by the same author, so you can… They’re… historical fiction, I don’t know… if you like those?”
“I’ll read just about anything if it’s well written. I’m not a genre snob.”
“Well, uh… Sarah Waters is an amazing writer. Her stories are incredibly well researched and… uh… so detailed.” They swallowed. “I actually have… signed copies of both of these. I… uh… went to an author event in Chicago a few years ago.”
“Ooooh.”
Greta pushed up out of the armchair. Took a second to smooth down her dress, settled the folds of the skirts - aware of Carson watching avidly. She stalked over to the counter and held out her hand.
Carson scrambled to an upright position. Placed the two books into Greta’s hands.
The name of the first one seemed familiar, and Greta flipped it over to read the blurb. Confirming what she thought she’d remembered. Definitely a lesbian romance.
Well, she’d wanted corroborating evidence.
“I haven’t read this but… I saw the tv show a couple of years ago.” She held up Tipping the Velvet.
“Oh… you did?”
“Yeah. Did you watch it?”
“I… uh… I did. The uh… the book was better… I mean… not to sound like that person, but…”
Greta took a half step closer. “Carson?”
“Hmmn?”
“Your book selections have seemed quite… pointed… recently. Basically all of them have been queer, but the last few weeks…” Greta shrugged one shoulder, tipped her head to the side. “We’re talking sapphic romance stories here…”
Carson nodded. The look in her eyes somewhere between terrified and determined.
“Are you… trying to send me a message here?”
“I… yeah. I am.” The determined look won out, and she stood a little taller. “I… uh… I really… uh… like you… Greta, and I…”
“I really like you too, Carson.”
“You do? I mean, good.” They grinned. “So… uh… would you… like to go out… with me… some time?”
“I would love to go out with you Carson.”
“Really?”
“Really really.”
Carson smiled then. Warm and just fucking radiantly happy and Greta’s heart did a little fluttery thing.
“That’s… that’s so great, I mean… I can’t believe you said yes.”
“Why on earth wouldn’t I say yes?”
“Because I mean… look at you.” Reverent. “You’re like a supermodel, and I’m…”
“You’re adorable.” Firm. “I’ve had my eye on you for a while now.”
“You have? I mean… I kinda… I just didn’t know if you flirted like that with everyone?” Plaintive.
“Wow.” Greta put a hand to her heart, feigning hurt.
“No… I mean… I don’t see you with anyone else, and I…”
“Carson, I’m teasing. It’s okay.”
“Oh.”
“You’re going to have to get used to it, it’s what I’m like.”
“I… uh… okay. I… uh… like the idea of… getting used to things… with you.”
“Me too.”
They smiled at each other. This time it was warm and intimate, and there was a promise of something more.
“So Carson?”
“Yeah?”
“When do you close the store?”
“At seven thirty. Why?”
“That’s the perfect time for dinner. Where are you taking me?”
“What… tonight?”
“I don’t want to wait.” And Greta really didn’t want to wait to do one other thing either. She ran a finger along Carson’s jaw, feeling the muscles jump and bunch under her touch. Curled her hand under Carson’s ear, around the back of her neck “Carson?”
“Hmmn?” They were barely breathing.
“Can I kiss you?”
“Yes. Please.” Whispered.
Greta used her grip on the back of their neck to draw them closer. Felt her own breath catch as Carson reached for her waist, warm hands resting on her hips.
Their lips pressed together once. Then again. And again. Greta was conscious that this was Carson’s workplace and so she couldn’t… push any further… but… She took Carson’s bottom lip between her own. Sucked it gently, letting her tongue trail along it. Carson inhaled sharply, her fingers digging into Greta’s waist.
Greta broke the kiss, separating their bodies. Smiled down at the dazed look on Carson’s face. She wiped the smudge of her lipstick from Carson’s mouth with her fingers.
Carson whimpered.
And Greta bit her lip. She really really wanted to hear Carson do that again, but… There was a time and a place, and at work wasn’t it.
“Greta…”
“I know.
“Can we…?”
“Later.”
“You promise?”
“Oh, I promise.”
Carson looked at her watch. Cursed under her breath.
Greta laughed.
“Carson honey?”
“Yeah?” Breathless. Bright eyed.
“What’s the rush? We’ve got all the time in the world.”