Excerpt of SoloPlay by Miranda Baker

"Alisa felt frozen to her wooden chair as the man’s eyes
dropped to her nameplate. He began to walk toward them with
measured strides.

“May I help you?” Beth asked, flipping her shiny red hair
over her shoulders and giving him a smile that showcased
every one of her perfect, white teeth.

“I’m looking for Ms. Mane.” His slight smile barely thawed
his features.

Alisa eyed him cautiously. “How can I help you?”

“I hope you can help me find Sologirl.”
Her eyes widened, then shot over to Beth.

“I’ve never heard of Sologirl,” Beth chirped. “Is it fiction
or nonfiction?”

“I’ve got this one.” Alisa jumped up from her chair and
raced around the desk, ignoring Beth’s surprised look. She
took the stranger’s arm and pulled him firmly toward the
stacks. “I think I’ve seen it in the graphic novels.”

When they reached the cover of the tall shelves, Alisa
dropped his arm. “Who are you?”

“Mark Winters,” he said, holding out his hand. “SoloPlay
Enterprises.”

“Holy shit,” she whispered.

His laugh was loud in the quiet room, but not as loud as her
thudding heart.

Alisa shushed him. “Nobody knows about SoloPlay here, and I
want to keep it that way.” Her whisper was sharp. “You
shouldn’t have come here.”

“Well, you shouldn’t have said no,” he replied, taking her
hand."