By the Book

by Amanda Sellet

“I need your help, actually.” “Anything for you, Mary.”

“Like your day is better when you see them,” he said, looking steadily at me.

“Nice job, Merrily,” he whispered, eyes never leaving mine.

I huffed in disbelief. “You’re kidding, right? Alex Ritter is extremely handsome.”

“It’s easy.” He stepped nearer, placing one of my hands on his shoulder while his other arm circled my waist. “Just follow my lead.”

I rolled my eyes, which only seemed to encourage him. “You and me, Merrily. Roasting chestnuts in our matching holiday sweaters.”

“Maybe I didn’t have to. They liked me the way I was, old books and all.”