About Between the Pages by Lauren Baker
Title: Between the Pages
Author: Lauren Baker
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Whatever possessed her to say yes?
Emmy Flanagan never thought she’d be forced into a Faustian pact to stop her beloved bookstore being turned into a luxury residence. But when her landlord, multi-millionaire Eric Oswell, offers to postpone the eviction if she’s willing to go on a few dates with him, it’s either accept or see four years of hard work and dedication go up in smoke.
The bad news is, he’s charming, well-read and irritatingly self-assured, and they spark off each other like two characters in a Lubitsch romcom. Which makes it very hard for her to resist the powerful physical attraction between them – even though she knows it’s a terrible idea. He woos her with classical concerts, nights at the opera, art exhibitions and a magical mystery Thanksgiving trip – but his deep-rooted trust issues and traumatic family secrets threaten to destroy their relationship before it’s had a chance to prove itself.
Set in contemporary New York City, Between the Pages charts a fast-moving romance with explosive chemistry between two very different but equally driven people. It’s Lauren Baker’s second novel after Finding Home, co-written with New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Bonnie Dee.
Excerpt from Between the Pages by Lauren Baker
© 2020
Lauren Baker
“There’s some wonderful portraits in the show,” she said. “A couple I’ve wanted to see for real for a long time.”
“Like what?” Eric asked, inquisitive.
“You know that one, by Ghirlandaio, with the little boy looking up at his grandfather?”
He nodded.
“The old man with the bulbous nose? I love that picture too — I used to go and look at it at the Louvre when I was in Paris.”
An irrational wave of jealousy washed over Emmy at the casual tone in Eric’s voice.
“Of course you did,” she sighed. “Is there anything you haven’t done?”
“Oh, I don’t know if you want me to answer that.”
She narrowed her eyes at him.
“You’ve got a perverted mind, you know?”
“I may have heard that before. But I had the distinct impression the other night that you liked that about me,” he sent back, teasing, and she grinned against her better judgment.
“I think, Mr. Oswell, that there’s a time and a place for behaving like a pervert, and Sunday afternoon at the Met is neither.”
“I stand chastised,” he said, sounding not at all contrite. “Tell me, have you been thinking about Thanksgiving at all?”
He was the very picture of insouciance as he stirred the sugar in his tea, and it’s only the fact that he’d been doing it solidly for more than thirty seconds that told Emmy that he wasn’t as detached as he seemed.
“I have, yes.”
“And?”
“And I think it’s a bit crazy, because we barely know each other, but…”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Eric cut in, his voice low. “I think we’re getting quite well-acquainted in some respects.”
“Time and place, Eric. Anyhow, I was going to say, before you rudely interrupted me, that I am tempted to agree to your insane mystery plan.”
Maybe he genuinely was taken aback, because it took a few seconds for what she said to filter through to his brain, and then a huge smile broke out on his face.
“Really? That’s great news. I promise you won’t regret it.”
He reached out across the table and grabbed her hand, squeezing it briefly.
“Are you going to give me any clues about where we’re going?”
Eric shook his head.
“Nope. Just pack for fall weather. City rather than country. A little bit of chic wouldn’t go amiss, but bring some comfortable clothes, too. And shoes you can walk in.”
“Gee, that really narrows the field down,” she said, rolling her eyes, but the thought of going off on a mystery tour had been enticing her all week — seriously, how often was she likely to have that kind of a chance? — and she was weakening, even if she didn’t intend to surrender quite yet.
“Anyhow, shouldn’t we be going to see these portraits now we’re here?” and Eric agreed.
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About Lauren Baker
London based journalist with a sideline as a romance writer; also a prolific reader, and keen on all things fiction – on the page, the stage, the big screen and the small. Dreamer at heart.
