Page 2 of Axel

“For a romance author, you’re sure opposed to falling in love.”

“I’m just notreadyto fall in love,” I counter. It’s only a half truth, but as close as I’ve become to Hope, I’m not ready to admit that the real reason I don’t want to fall in love is fear. If I fall in love, my story will be over. There’ll be nothing left for me to write about. And I still have more books to write before that happens. “But anyway, my latest heroine loves sunflowers.”

“And you do too?”

I shrug. “Yeah, I do.”

“Enough to get onetattooedon you?”

“It’ll be a great way to look back and remember the last book I wrote in Daisy Hills.”

“Ugh, don’t remind me that my last single friend is leaving.” Hope sighs again. She’s been doing a lot of that lately.

“You’ll find your Prince Charming,” I reassure her.

“If not, will you promise to put me in your next book and find me a fictional one?” She steals a fry from my plate.

“I could do that,” I say, leaving the promise open-ended. Though my books are filled with characters inspired by people I’ve met in real life, the end result is always a completely fictionalized character who can’t get me sued. “I could name my next heroine after you.”

“That depends. Have you decided where you’re going next?”

“Paradise Cove.”

“Sounds tropical,” she says approvingly. “I think I’d be okay being a heroine in a beach romance.”

“It’s in Hawaii.”

“Get out!Hawaii.”

“A friend of mine works at a military resort there. She’s almost certain she can help me get hired for the season.” Though my books continue to sell well and there’s no monetary reason for me to work, I’ve found that working temporary positions at various places has given me loads of experience for writing my books.

“Can I come with you?” she asks with a dreamy sigh.

“Sadly, only active duty and military veterans are permitted to stay there,” I explain. “So unless you want to work?—”

“That kind of takes the fun out of it. Let’s get back to your tattoo artist hero and sunflower loving heroine,” she insists. “That way I don’t have to think about missing out on Hawaii.”

“You love it here,” I remind her. If there’s anyone who will settle down in Daisy Hills with a hubby, five kids, and a house full of rescue animals, it’s Hope Goodwin.

“I really do.” She taps her fingers on her water glass. “You’re sure you don’t want me to come with you?”

“I’m not even sure I’m getting a tattoo today. I think it’s small enough for a walk-in appointment. But if the owner is booked?—”

“It has to be him, right?”

We share a conspiratorial smile. “Of course it does.”

“You’ll call me when it’s done?” Hope insists as we slide out of the booth. She wraps her arms tightly around me, holding on for several seconds longer than is necessary. And dammit if it doesn’t make my eyes shiny. It’s why I know it’s time to move on. Before either one of us gets any more attached to this friendship than we already have.

“I’ll call you,” I promise.

2

AXEL

I pressfingers into my temples, kneading none-too-gently, willing the growing tension headache to fuck off.

Another cancellation.

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