Page 13 of The Overdue Kiss

Night.

I open up my laptop and stiffen. Did I just get tricked into another date? If so, then why am I smiling?

Chapter Four

Nestled in the forest of blue spruces sits Julia’s log cabin. It’s the spitting image of those rustic mountain magazine advertisements, complete with rocking chairs on a wraparound porch. Even in the darkness, the serene mountain landscape is illuminated in the soft glow of starlight.

“This place is gorgeous,” I gush, climbing out of the car.

“I was blessed it came available when it did and at such an affordable rental price. It’s in the ritzy neighborhood. Apparently, there’s like a rich side and poor side of town and neither likes the other in their territory.”

For a moment, I wonder which side Des lives on. With that fancy motorcycle, I’m guessing by Julia somewhere.

My eyes widen when she walks into her cabin without unlocking the door. She catches my expression and laughs.

“Perks of the small-town life. You so much as sneeze funny and everyone knows. Don’t even think of breaking into someone’s house. There is an old lady brigade in charge of the town watch. They are scarier than the sheriff.”

“Noted.” I laugh along with her.

Julia pulls me inside, weaving us around stacks of boxes. “I haven’t had time to unpack, so there are still a bazillion boxes everywhere. Every time I think about tackling this, I get overwhelmed and scroll on social media instead. Which I saw your book account is doing well. You’re almost famous.”

With my love of books, it only makes sense for me to want to share about it on social media. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve connected with like-minded readers and even some of my favorite authors. It’s not a big following, but enough that people tune in for my weekly reviews and newest bookmail.

“Five thousand followers isn’t famous, but I’m also not striving to be. It’s really just about meeting other readers who love the same books as me. I also started sharing which kids’ books go over well during Wednesday’s storytime. For my next post, I’ll share about my junkyard school bus turned bookmobile. Everyone has been asking for updates since Rafe put the carpet in.”

She drops her purse and groceries on the counter. “If you are looking for views, we could always bring up the popular debate of whichPride and Prejudicemovie is the best. That always gets your followers fired up.”

“Because they all know the new one is the best...” I say, watching Julia’s jaw clench.

“Well, then they would be wrong. Colin Firth is the only Mr. Darcy that should exist.”

“I see this is still the only subject we’ll never agree on.” I shake my head at her in mock disappointment.

She glares at me for a second before it dissolves into a smirk. “I miss these moments.”

“Me too.”

After a quick tour of more empty rooms, we plate the takeout lasagna and curl up on the sofa. Stacks of boxes form a wall around us, labeled with important things like pots and pans. But I see she already unpacked all her books and placed them topsy-turvy on her shelf.

“I know you want to reorganize them,” she says, blowing on a steaming bite of noodles.

“What makes you say that?”

I tear my gaze away from the beautiful hardbacks shoved willy-nilly on the shelf. Personally, I keep mine color-coded so that my background pops when I do my social media lives. Readers comment on it all the time. I might not have much in my small apartment in Golden, but I went all out on my bookcase aesthetic.

“Your eyebrow is twitching.” She points at me with her fork.

“You know me too well.”

“True. You’ll be happy to know that your visit has motivated me to start unpacking.”

“About time. You know I can help while I’m here.”

“Since you’re the one who motivated me, you’re automatically assigned as lead of the project. We can start tomorrow because first, I want to hear every word exchanged with the elusive Desmond Brooks who you so nonchalantly call ‘Des.’ Seriously, half the women in town fantasize about riding on the back of his motorcycle... it may have even been my wish at one time.” Lost in thought, Julia sighs dreamily.

My eyes fly wide. “You and Des... were a thing?”

“No, no, no.” She shakes her fork at me like a weapon. “It was definitely a one-sided crush. He doesn’t really talk much to anyone unless he has to. Even when he’s at Cliffys with friends, they just sit there watching the game.”

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