Read Between the Lines (Ms. Right, #1)

by Rachel Lacey

“Because sometimes you have to date Ms. Wrong to find Ms. Right,” Lia said. Rosie balanced on her toes as she placed the yellow book on the shelf. “I’d date Ms. Maybe to find out if she could be Ms. Right, but not if I already know she’s wrong for me.” “Or maybe you’re holding out for Ms. Perfect.” Lia lifted her eyebrows as she handed Rosie the next book.

For a moment, Rosie just stared. This woman, the one she’d daydreamed about for the past four days, was Jane Breslin? What kind of sick joke was the universe playing on her right now? “I’m sorry for the confusion,” Jane said, dropping her gaze to the counter. “Oh my G-God,” Rosie stammered as her cheeks flushed hot and indignation burned in her chest. Jane had come into this store and bought books for her niece, knowing full well that she had just evicted Rosie from the building. The nerve. Rosie wanted to scream. She wanted to tell Jane exactly what she thought of her. But Jane was here now because Rosie had invited her. She had to convince Jane to let Between the Pages stay in its home, and that meant she had to play nice.

Jane paused, discomfort tightening her stomach. These people had gathered for an afternoon of tea and conversation, a roomful of booklovers. She should belong here, but she didn’t.

The employee Jane had seen the last time she was in the store approached with a warm smile, waving Jane toward a row of teapots set up against the back wall, and she had never felt so shitty about her day job. She hated absolutely everything about this moment.

“I loved Maura Green’s latest,” she said, naming her favorite lesbian romance author. “I haven’t heard of her,” Tracy said. “What does she write?” “Romance,” Jane told her, purposefully vague. “Oh, I love romance,” Tracy said enthusiastically. “I’ll have to look her up.”

It was the first time they’d touched, and oh how Rosie wished she could feel Jane’s fingers through her coat. They were standing way too close now, and Rosie’s pulse raced until her head felt fuzzy with anticipation. She swayed forward, and her lips met Jane’s. She felt Jane’s inhale and her hand tightening on Rosie’s shoulder, drawing her closer. Jane made a little sound, almost a moan. Her lips were as cool as the night air around them, and yet they filled Rosie with an immediate rush of warmth. Jane pressed forward, and Rosie settled her hands on her hips, discovering that the hoodie was as soft as it looked. Jane’s lips were also impossibly soft . . . and sexy as hell as they moved against Rosie’s. Before she knew it, Jane was nipping at her lower lip, much the way she’d done to herself a minute ago, and Rosie went weak at the knees. Arousal licked through her, the kind of chemistry she hadn’t felt in so long, and now it was burning her up with an almost overpowering intensity. She pulled back, somewhat relieved to see that Jane was breathing just as hard, looking just as dazed, her lips wet and glistening as she blinked at Rosie. “Whoa,” Rosie said. “Yeah,” Jane agreed, shoving her hands into her pockets. She had to be freezing out here in that hoodie. Why hadn’t she put on a real jacket tonight?

Jane sipped her drink, which fizzed all the way to her stomach, re-creating the way it felt when Rosie kissed her.

This book had been in the back of my mind for years: the idea of two people who’re flirty online friends but enemies in real life (and if you think it was inspired by a certain nineties movie, you’d be right).

ONE OF MY FAVVVVVVVS I NEVER PUT IT TOGETHER AHHHHHH