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Chapter 1

Sophie

I jus, so I’uard by the shrill sound inside the quiet library “Middle School Library, Ms Grates speaking How can I help you?” I answer on the second ring

“I found a phone, and this is the number that comes up on the screen when I turn it on,” a deep male voice answers His smooth Southern drawlout fro for uy on the other end saysmy search

“Yes, I’ the desk phone between my shoulder and ear

“Look, I gotta get out of town and won’t be back for a week, so can you meet me somewhere?”

“U my bottom lip

“Do you want your phone or not?”

“Yes, of course I wantannoyed What kind of stupid question is that?

“Then you need to ive it to you”

“I don’t get off work for another hour Can youhe can I don’t knohat I would do without my phone for a week—not that I want to call or text anyone, but I was kicking ass in Candy Crush and wanted to beat my last score

“Jesus, where the fuck do you wanname smile I don’t knohy, but it kind ofhim

“Can you meet me out front of Jack’s Bar-B-Que in an hour and a half?”

“Sure, fine” I can tell by his tone that he’s coer

“Thanks a lot,” I mummer

“What are you wearing?” he asks, rin slide off my face

“What the hell does that matter?”

“Look,” he huffs out, “I have your phone, which ht?”

“Right,” I repeat like an idiot

“That et there Therefore, I need to knohat you’re wearing so I can spot you on the street, right?” I can hear the smile in his voice now

“I guess that htermy belly flutter

“So, let’s try this again What are you wearing?”

“Oh” I look down atto say to hirey skirt, a white silk blouse… Oh! And I have brown hair,” I add at the end, since I don’t knoI am

“All right, sweetheart I’ll see you in an hour and a half,” he says, and before I have a chance to say anything else, the line goes dead

I hang up the receiver and tossall the books that have been checked in throughout the day back on the shelves

I started working at the school library a year ago when I moved to Nashville from Seattle I work here three days a week, and the rest of the time, I work fro here; it’s quiet, and the pay is good—and it doesn’t hurt that I spend most of my day alone

I finish outsure that no one is still browsing the shelves, I lock up When I leave the building, I notice thatlot is eet in my car, turn it on, and flip the button for the convertible top, which takes a second to go back accordion-style and lock into place The sound of Addicted to Love by Florence and the Machine starts playing as I head don