Page 52 of The Enemy Plot

I walk around, still searching for the Romance section, but this place is a maze. When I look back, thinking I just walked past it, I find myself face to face with Alice.

She smiles, gazing at me with a particular intensity in her shimmering eyes. “So . . . How are you doing?”

“Good.” I smile. “Really good, actually. Almost got everything,” I lie.

Her eyes widen. “What? How? You cheated and came here beforehand, didn’t you?”

I cock my head. “Oh, come on, now. Don’t be a sore loser. And anyway, it’s not a race. As long as you take a picture of all your books before the store closes, it’s good.”

“Except in the case of a tie!” she exclaims.

“Oh, right,” I say, holding back a smile. “Forgot about that.”

She sizes me up, then chuckles. “No, you didn’t. Well, no time to chat. I have a scavenger hunt to win.”

“Sure,” I say, hooking my thumb in my back pocket. “Go ahead. I’ll just take a leisurely walk while I think about what I want for dinner. I’m thinking lobster.”

She gasps, then giggles as she scurries off to an aisle.

As soon as she’s out of sight, I hurry to the back of the store. There’s a big flower display. I’m guessing that’s where all the Romance is.

21

Reality > Fiction

Alice

I amnotlosing this scavenger hunt. I’ve waited all my life for a guy to take me on a date at a bookstore, and I intend to make the most of it. Though in a way, I’ve already won just by being here with Deacon, finally having found a guy who knows me. Although since we were kind of friends before this, he has an unfair advantage, but either way, I’mwinningthis thing.

And not because I don’t want to pay fordinner.

Because I’m a bookish girl, and this is my moment to shine.

I already found a book that reminds me of Deacon—hello grumpy neighbor romance—along with a pink book for my favorite color and a romance book with a neighbor, so similar to my relationship with Deacon. I should get bonus points for that because it’s enemies to lovers. Okay, I might be getting ahead of myself here.

I also snapped a picture of a novel by one of my favorite authors, Alexandra Bowe, since she has the same initials as me, and one with a cat on the cover. Next, I locate a book with a character named Deacon that I read last year.

I glance at the clock. Only twenty minutes to go, but I’m in good shape, having just stumbled upon the Travel section. Where’s a place I’d like to visit? Honestly, everywhere. A travel book of Hawaii catches my attention. Definitely a location on my bucket list. I snap a picture and walk to the Children’s section. This one is easy. I take a picture ofLa Belle et La Bête. As distant relatives of one of the original authors, my brother and I read this book a lot growing up, and it has a special place in my heart.

I check my list one more time. Only two to go, and they’re the trickiest. A book I think Deacon might enjoy, and a book cover with a model that reminds me of him. That’s insane. No one reminds me of Deacon. He’sDeacon. Unique and different. I’ll do that one last. Now, what kind of book would Deacon enjoy?

Maybe a thriller. Who doesn’t like a good thriller? I head to the New Release section and snap a picture of the latest Devika Miller book.

With only ten minutes on the clock, I fear I might not make it. I hurry back to the Romance section, but this time to the spicy corner, where I should have a nice selection of hot male models on book covers. I first scan the new releases and the various display tables so I don’t have to pull out the books. And, bingo. There’s a broody guy staring straight at me with intense cobalt eyes. His hair is a little more salt than pepper, but he has Deacon’s haircut and a similar frown. He’ll do. I take a picture before half-sprinting back to the front of the store. I look around. Deacon isn’t here yet, which can only mean one thing. I won! Even if there’s a tie, I still got here first. I’m a little sweaty and out of breath from that last run, but I saved my bookish honor. My friends would be proud.

I’ve barely had time to catch my breath when Deacon arrives, hurrying until he sees I’m already there. He drops his arms in defeat and walks toward me.

I offer him a smug smile. “Looks like someone was a little too confident.”

“Do you have everything?” he asks, arching an eyebrow.

I scoff. “Of course.”

“Okay.” He nods. “I should have known better than to challenge abookworm.”

I chuckle, remembering the first time I used the term in front of him. It seems like a lifetime ago. “Well, let’s see what you got.”

“I’m missing one.” He grimaces. “So, you win either way. Let’s compare pictures while we eat?”