about classical literature that I can’t resist. I’m at the part where Jane is beginning to suspect that Rochester has the same feelings for her as she has for him. Their romance seems so forbidden but so perfect.
“That’s a great book.”
I look up to find him standing in front of me. Holy shit. I try not to let my racing heart give me away as I reply, “It’s one of my favorites. I pull it out every now and then.”
“I have a few like that. Although admittedly, Jane Eyre isn’t one of them.”
I laugh, “So you’re telling me you’re not the angst-y romance type?”
He blushes a deep crimson, “I’m not all that acquainted with romance actually. It’s been a long time since I felt the need to be.”
“I’m sure your wife would have something to say about that.”
“She would, if she were still around.”
Now it’s my turn to blush, “Sorry, that was insensitive. It’s just, you’re not the first guy with a wedding band imprint who’s tried to start a conversation with me. I made the assumption that you were still married.”
“No harm done. I’m Isaac by the way.”
“Liv.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Liv.”
“You, too.”
He clears his throat, clearly caught in a situation he hadn’t intended to be. “I’ve noticed you come here a lot.”
“So do you, that’s probably why you noticed me. You’re not going to try to hit on me before I’ve even finished my morning coffee are you?”
His sexy laugh gives me butterflies, “No, I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m just new in town and thought I’d strike up a conversation with a fellow booklover.”
We chat casually a bit more about books we like but are interrupted by my phone buzzing. My best friend, and roommate is reminding me to meet her to sign the lease of our new apartment. We’re finally moving out of the dorms before our senior year.
“I really am sorry to cut this short but I’m supposed to meet my roommate.”
“No problem. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
I leave the Daily Grind with a small tinge of regret and head around the corner towards a row of brownstones. Our new home is a spacious two-story. It is in a well-established neighborhood just a few blocks from campus. We were first attracted to it because it is not on the same side as most of the fraternity and sorority houses, but we were much more excited to discover it is situated right across the street from the pub where CeCe bartends.
I make it to the stone steps in time to watch CeCe cross the street. CeCe became my best friend in freshman year when we were thrown together as roommates. We couldn’t be more different and maybe that’s why our friendship works so well. Where CeCe is street smart and tough, I am book smart and snarky. I think what makes me love her so much is her ability to reduce anyone to a terrified mess with one withering stare. She’s nothing like the friends I had in high school and she always says I’m from a completely different world than she is. My parents are both successful in their careers, which allowed me to grow up in a life of privilege. CeCe’s parents never married, her father was never around. Her mom remarried, but when she died unexpectedly her stepdad split. She ended up living on the street before moving into a youth group home. My family has basically adopted CeCe and she joins us at every holiday.
The landlord is waiting at the top of the stairs for us, “You must be Olivia and CeCe. I’m Henry Adams.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Adams,” I say politely.
“Call me Henry.”
It’s obvious to me that the older gentleman was once a bit of a scoundrel as he grins and kisses my hand. We walk into the unlocked entry as Henry digs in his pocket for the keys. I suppress a smile; he reminds me of my grandfather. He unlocks the front door and leads us inside.
The living space on the main floor is
“That’s a great book.”
I look up to find him standing in front of me. Holy shit. I try not to let my racing heart give me away as I reply, “It’s one of my favorites. I pull it out every now and then.”
“I have a few like that. Although admittedly, Jane Eyre isn’t one of them.”
I laugh, “So you’re telling me you’re not the angst-y romance type?”
He blushes a deep crimson, “I’m not all that acquainted with romance actually. It’s been a long time since I felt the need to be.”
“I’m sure your wife would have something to say about that.”
“She would, if she were still around.”
Now it’s my turn to blush, “Sorry, that was insensitive. It’s just, you’re not the first guy with a wedding band imprint who’s tried to start a conversation with me. I made the assumption that you were still married.”
“No harm done. I’m Isaac by the way.”
“Liv.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Liv.”
“You, too.”
He clears his throat, clearly caught in a situation he hadn’t intended to be. “I’ve noticed you come here a lot.”
“So do you, that’s probably why you noticed me. You’re not going to try to hit on me before I’ve even finished my morning coffee are you?”
His sexy laugh gives me butterflies, “No, I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m just new in town and thought I’d strike up a conversation with a fellow booklover.”
We chat casually a bit more about books we like but are interrupted by my phone buzzing. My best friend, and roommate is reminding me to meet her to sign the lease of our new apartment. We’re finally moving out of the dorms before our senior year.
“I really am sorry to cut this short but I’m supposed to meet my roommate.”
“No problem. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
I leave the Daily Grind with a small tinge of regret and head around the corner towards a row of brownstones. Our new home is a spacious two-story. It is in a well-established neighborhood just a few blocks from campus. We were first attracted to it because it is not on the same side as most of the fraternity and sorority houses, but we were much more excited to discover it is situated right across the street from the pub where CeCe bartends.
I make it to the stone steps in time to watch CeCe cross the street. CeCe became my best friend in freshman year when we were thrown together as roommates. We couldn’t be more different and maybe that’s why our friendship works so well. Where CeCe is street smart and tough, I am book smart and snarky. I think what makes me love her so much is her ability to reduce anyone to a terrified mess with one withering stare. She’s nothing like the friends I had in high school and she always says I’m from a completely different world than she is. My parents are both successful in their careers, which allowed me to grow up in a life of privilege. CeCe’s parents never married, her father was never around. Her mom remarried, but when she died unexpectedly her stepdad split. She ended up living on the street before moving into a youth group home. My family has basically adopted CeCe and she joins us at every holiday.
The landlord is waiting at the top of the stairs for us, “You must be Olivia and CeCe. I’m Henry Adams.”
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Adams,” I say politely.
“Call me Henry.”
It’s obvious to me that the older gentleman was once a bit of a scoundrel as he grins and kisses my hand. We walk into the unlocked entry as Henry digs in his pocket for the keys. I suppress a smile; he reminds me of my grandfather. He unlocks the front door and leads us inside.
The living space on the main floor is
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