Page 159 of Give & Take

But Lana says, “She’s here, with the girls. That means we can start.”

“You can do this, Sunshine. You know half the town out there.”

“They’re all going to know I like sex.”

“Isn’t that the point of opening this store?”

“Yes, but still. Our future mayor’s going to be there. Mac’s like my brother, Raph.” Mac announced he was running for mayor last month. He’ll probably run without an opponent just because everyone knows he’s a slam dunk.

I stand up, helping Lana to her feet. I run a thumb over her cheek, wanting to somehow keep her here and set her aloft out there, too. “You got this, Sunshine.”

“Promise?”

“Promise. And if you don’t, I’m right here.”

I send a quick text to Cal, who’s watching the door. Somehow the poor guy has ended up as the greeter at all the big local events.

He confirms everyone’s here. I look over at Lana, who stands at the podium, gripping its wooden edges. “Ready?”

She nods. She’s nervous, but I know she can do this. I tug at the cord and the curtains slide open, revealing a shop lined with pink bookshelves and painted tables, old step-back romance covers framed on the walls, and cozy nooks with over-stuffed armchairs and loveseats for reading.

And a crowd that makes my jaw practically tumble to the floor. I knew there were a ton of people coming. But even I’m shocked at the numbers. This isn’t half the town. This is what looks like the whole town of Redbeard Cove, and they all simultaneously erupt in applause and cheering as the last of the curtain vanishes.

The whole staff of the Rusty Dinghy is here, right down to Chip the dishwasher, who’s got a regency romance book clutched against his chest. Fred, the policechief, and Ida the realtor, both of whom are clapping around their respective stack of motorcycle romances.

Mac, Shelby, Annie, even Nate.

Chris and the girls, who jump up and down and wave. “Mommy!” I somehow hear from Aurora in the crowd. Lori’s on their other side, along with her new boyfriend, a silver-haired man called Tim who drives the local water taxi. He’s got tears in his eyes like he’s Lana’s long-lost dad—he’s not. He’s much better.

And to my utter surprise, Mike, who’s at the back with his girlfriend, a surprisingly curvy woman a couple years older than him he brought up to meet us in the summer. She smiles and waves.

I look over to Lana, who’s looking at me. “Your turn, Sunshine.”

But Lana shakes her head. “No,” she says.

The din dies down as the crowd readies themself to listen to her. They didn’t hear that word.

My stomach flips. Is she really going to bail? She’s so ready for this. I know she can do it.

But she’s smiling. It’s that gorgeous Lana smile I know is only for me, the one that makes those stunning eyes sparkle. Then she beckons me over.

I frown, and it’s funny how this makes me think about how we’re in a complete role reversal. She’s suddenly so confident. I’m suddenly nervous. She’s smiling, I’m not.

When I get to the podium, thoroughly confused, Lana holds my hand. “I’d like to welcome all of you to my romance bookshop—Pink Cheeks.”

The crowd hoots and hollers.

Then dies down again.

“As you all know, we’re here to celebrate the opening of this store. But before we do, I’d like to celebrate the man beside me.”

“Lana!” I whisper as the crowd goes wild again.

“Yeah Raph!” Chris shouts. The girls shriek too.

“Raphael once told me that sometimes, there’s freedom in quitting.”

The crowd goes quiet again.

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