The line formed quickly, eager readers holding onto their copies of Jack's books as if they were prized possessions. Each person had a look of anticipation on their face, as if they were about to meet a beloved celebrity.
With a small sigh, Sarah began weaving her way through the aisles toward the exit. Just as she reached the door, she paused, glancing back over her shoulder. Jack was surrounded, his angular features and sculpted appearance even more striking from this distance. He seemed to glow with confidence and effortlessly drew the admirers into his orbit.
Sarah's gaze drifted to Demi, now efficiently managing the crowd with a quiet authority. Her curvaceous figure moved with grace and purpose, each gesture somehow both professional and alluring. There was a hint of something more in her expression – perhaps pride or a secret amusement – as she watched Jack interact with his fans.
Sarah shook her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips. Interesting, indeed, she thought.
She watched as he interacted with his fans, his charm evident in every gesture and smile. There was something magnetic about him that she couldn't quite explain. As she observed him, she felt a strange flutter in her chest, a warmth spreading through her body that both thrilled and confused her.
Suddenly, Jack began to turn in her direction. Sarah's heart began pounding so hard she was sure everyone around her must hear it. In a moment of panic, she ducked behind a nearby bookshelf, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart beneath her palm.
What was happening to her? Why was she reacting this way to a man she'd never even met? Sarah closed her eyes, trying to regain her composure. She could still hear his voice, rich and warm, as he spoke to someone nearby. The sound sent an unexpected shiver down her spine.
After a few moments, when she had recovered a sliver of composure, Sarah slowly peeked around the shelf. Jack had moved on, his attention focused on a group of enthusiastic readers. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, a mix of relief and... was that disappointment?
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She shook her head, trying to clear the fog that seemed to have settled over her thoughts. This wasn't like her at all. She was usually so level-headed, so in control. Yet here she was, hiding from a stranger who had somehow managed to affect her so deeply with nothing more than his presence.
As she stood there, still trying to make sense of her reactions, her phone buzzed insistently in her pocket. Sarah fished it out, grateful for the distraction. The caller ID showed it was Gabriel, her right hand man at the inn.
"Hello?" she answered, moving towards the exit for better reception.
"Sarah, thank goodness," Gabriel's voice came through, tinged with stress. "We've got a situation here. The Hendersons' anniversary party? Their guest list just doubled, and they're due to arrive in three hours. We're short-staffed as it is, and I'm not sure we have enough supplies to cover it all."
Sarah felt her innkeeper instincts kick in, pushing thoughts of Jack Harper to the back of her mind. "Okay, Gabriel, don't panic. I'm on my way back now. Call Mary and see if she can come in early. I'll stop by the market on my way back and pick up what we need."
She could almost hear Gabriel's relief through the phone. "You're a lifesaver, Sarah."
As she ended the call, Sarah cast one last glance back at Jack. He was still surrounded by admirers, Demi efficiently managing the crowd around him. For a brief moment, Sarah allowed herself to wonder what it would be like to be the focus of Jack Harper's intense gaze.
But then she squared her shoulders, her resolve returning. She had responsibilities, people who depended on her. The inn and its guests needed her attention now. Whatever this strange attraction was, it would have to remain a mystery.
With a small, rueful smile, Sarah pushed open the bookstore door and stepped out into the bustling city street. As she made her way to her car, her mind was already racing with menu plans and staffing arrangements. The enigma of Jack Harper and her inexplicable reaction to him would have to wait for another day – if ever.
Yet, as she drove away, Sarah couldn't quite shake the memory of how her heart had raced, how her body had responded to his mere presence. It was a feeling both exhilarating and terrifying, one that she knew would linger in her thoughts for days to come.