Author Next Door (Temptation Next Door)

I smirked, reaching out to tousle her hair. “Alright, alright. I fear for your future partner.”

“What?” she asked sweetly.

“Nothing, baby.” I stood up and held my hand out to her, which she immediately took. “Let’s go get you some ice cream.”

“And then we’re going to propose to Lara! Can I hold the ring when you ask?”

“Sure thing, baby. Sure thing.”

Epilogue

Lara

Nine Months Later

As a reward for graduating at the top of my class, Chuck purchased a corner storefront for me to use in the middle of the downtown core. A nervous excitement brewing in my gut had me excited all morning, although I wasn’t sure if I was feeling this way because the baby could smell the fresh pastries from the bakery just next door. I patted my belly and giggled, noting the way the child had started to kick up a storm. “You’re a feisty little thing,” I mumbled to my stomach. “I have a feeling you’re going to get along with your sister very well.”

The store was a cute little thing, the perfect size for my very first bookstore. The walls were made of red brick and the roof of dark wood. It gave the whole place an incredibly charming, rustic vibe. The perimeter walls of the store were stacked high with glass shelves, full of beautiful books, both old and new. I’d spent the better part of the morning organizing the shelves by double alphabetizing author’s last names. I took a deep breath and sighed, admiring my handiwork as I placed my hands on my lower back for support. A great deal of satisfaction rested on my chest, the kind of sensation you only ever got after a job well-done. The bookstore’s official opening day was scheduled for tomorrow, but there was already a great deal of buzz outside as people pressed their noses to the glass.

To help promote the business, Chuck had arranged several writing work

shops throughout the week. Ever since the release of Winter Whispers, he was all the literary world could talk about. People had expressed interest in his writing classes and were coming from far and wide for the chance to learn from one of the most gifted writers of their generation. Everybody seemed to want a piece of him. Publishing houses kept blowing up our phone at home to see if he’d sign a book deal. Literary agents would send all sorts of goodies –flowers, expensive chocolates, rare book editions– in an attempt to woo Chuck over to their client lists. Fans would sometimes send mail directly to our house to express their love of Chuck’s work. It eventually got to the point where we decided it’d be safer if Chuck rented a PO Box so we didn’t wind up with overly ambitious super fans knocking on our door.

I looked out through the store’s massive front window. Some people had even decided to bring tents and sleeping bags so they could be the first to enter tomorrow morning. They all knew that Chuck was going to be there, and there was no doubt in my mind that they wanted to get their hands on a signed copy of his latest New York Times Bestseller. I nervously fiddled with the gold wedding ring on my left hand, the cool metal grounding me in place. With the baby on the way and the store about to open, there were a lot of things up in the air that had me a little stressed out. I just wanted everything to be perfect, but I had to admit to myself that I was starting to feel stretched thin.

I rubbed small circles into my stomach absentmindedly. It was a calming motion, one that reminded me this was all going to be worth it. I was going to get to be around books everyday for the rest of my life, run a successful business, and hopefully have my son keep the legacy alive. I spent a lot of time wondering what our baby boy was going to be like. Would he be studious and charming like his father? Would he be sweet and gentle like his mother? Would he pick up his half-sister’s mischievously cute ways and use them against his parents? Our son obviously didn’t have to take over the bookstore if he didn’t want to, it was just a nice thought to have. We could be an entire family of bookmen, dedicated to creating and preserving the written word.

The back door to the storefront creaked open and immediately slammed shut. I nearly jumped out of my skin, startled by the sudden ruckus.

“It’s just us,” said Chuck warmly as he rounded the corner.

Clarissa was at his side holding a bright pink box of pastries from the shop next door. My mouth immediately began to water like a faucet left unchecked when I caught a whiff of the freshly glazed donuts hidden inside. Clarissa immediately skipped over to me and held it open. “Brought you something! Take your pick. Lemon one’s mine, though.”

I giggled, “Thank you, sweetheart.” I plucked a chocolate éclair up and took a bite. It was so delicious that I wanted to breathe it all down, but I knew that would have been too embarrassing.

Chuck took his place by my side and kissed me tenderly. “How was your day?” he asked.

“It was really good, actually. I’m still waiting to hear back from the tech support guy about our debit machines not working, though.”

“I can take care of that. You should honestly be home resting. The baby could pop out of you any minute.”

Clarissa curled her face up and mumbled, “Eww.”

I laughed, “It’s fine, honey. I’d much rather be here. I’ve been going stir crazy cooped up at home.”

“Your due date is a week from now,” he protested. “I really should get you checked into the hospital.”

I waved my hand dismissively. “You’re worrying for nothing. I promise that after the opening tomorrow, I’ll go take it easy until the baby arrives. Until then, there’s lots of work to do.”

Clarissa looked up from her box of goodies, lemon tart already half eaten. “Have you come up with a name for my brother yet?”

Chuck shook his head. “I’m afraid not, baby. We’ve narrowed down our list, but we still can’t agree on anything.”

“I really like Jacob,” I said firmly.

“And I really like Hemingway.”

I rolled my eyes. “This again? Hemingway is a last name.”