Page 2 of Faking Romance

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Five months later…

Me: Jasp, I’m ready to move in.

My brother is helping me move into the studio apartment in the back of the shop today. Or at least he promised he would. Jasper is a busy guy. I’ve held off moving in as long as possible. The front shop hasn’t needed a lot of work. I’m keeping the beautiful tin ceiling. I’ve begun painting the walls and slowly started building some furniture. I’ve ordered inventory and it’s started to arrive. I haven’t lived there yet, but after today, it’ll be home and work.

I’d packed up my parents’ old van that they used to use for road trips when we were younger. I’m shocked Dad kept it. And I’m more shocked that all my belongings fit inside it.

Jasper: I’ll be over in an hour.

I put my phone back in my pocket and walk out to my car. I’d loaded up some things in here, so I could start organizing the studio apartment. Tomorrow, my sister Isla is coming over.

I glance at the park bench and see flowers sitting there. I’ll have to check that out later.

Opening my car door, I glance up at the building and again find those aquamarine eyes peering down at me. I’m not sure what to make of this man. He doesn’t seem very friendly by the scowl on his face. Is he mad that someone is moving in? Or maybe he’s just an asshole?

Sighing, I reach into my car and pull out a box.

“Do you need help?” a woman’s voice comes from beside me. I glance over and find a woman who I’d guess is around thirty years old. She is holding hands with a small girl, whose brown hair is in pigtails with big red bows on them. I’ve just been in and out on quick trips over the past few months as I’ve checked in on things, so I haven’t met any of my new neighbors aside from Mr. O’Brien and Troy, who handles the maintenance for the building.

“Oh, uh, I got it,” I assure her.

She smiles at me. “I’m Carly and this is my daughter, Ava. We live in number four,” she says as she points to the building.

“I’m”—I shift the box back in the car and extend my hand—“Roxy,” I say.

“Nice to meet you, Roxy. I heard you were moving into the first-floor apartment and you’re renting the store space,” she adds as we shake hands.

“Yep. Hi, Ava,” I say to the little girl.

She looks up at me quizzically. “Do you have any dead bodies in there?” she asks as she glances at the box.

I frown. “Nope,” I reply slowly, my brows furrowing in confusion.

“Sorry…she’s apparently been listening to the true crime podcast I’ve had on in the car,” Carly says with a grimace.

I laugh. “No worries.”

“Al says you’re opening a bookstore,” Carly adds.

“Yes. A romance bookstore,” I specify.

She grins. “I’ll look forward to shopping there, then.” She pauses as Ava continues to crane her neck to look inside my car, clearly uncertain whether I’m lying about the dead bodies.

“I guess, we’ll be seeing you, then,” she says.

“Yep. Nice meeting you again,” I say as I lift the box and head inside, walking back to my apartment.

My phone rings as I look around the kitchenette and living space of the small studio.

Glancing down, I see Isla’s name.

“Hey, how is the place?” she asks.

“Well, it’s great,” I state as I take in the small space that has a door leading out to the courtyard.

“Meet any hot neighbors?” she asks and I already know she’s waggling her eyebrows.

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