Page 7 of Cookie

“Really? I mean, I thought he was, but then I thought maybe he’d said something to you that he wasn’t excited or—I don’t even know. I just really like him.” I was rambling like a teenager about to go on a first date, but I couldn’t seem to settle my nerves enough to stop.

She smiled and pulled me in for a hug, and I relaxed. She was small but mighty and always there when any of us needed her. “He’s very nice, and he’s excited to meet you for lunch. Where are you going to go?”

I blinked and tried not to freak out even more than I already was because I really wanted to know what they’d talked about, but not if it was anything bad. “The café. We both like it and it’s close.”

“Well, you two have a pleasant lunch,” she said and stepped behind her desk.

I walked back out to the garage and looked over at the bookstore. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. No closed sign or for sale sign, so as far as I knew, everything was fine. But something had my nerves on edge, and I knew the only thing that was going to help was when I was finally able to speak to Cookie. I huffed out a laugh. I loved the nickname, and it really did fit.

At eleven, I decided I’d waited long enough and clocked out. Mom once again gave me a knowing grin that she tried to hide before I walked out of the garage and crossed the street to One More Chapter.

“You’re early,” Cookie said as soon as I walked in. His eyes were bright, and he just looked so happy I couldn’t stop myself from walking right up to him and kissing him. “Well, that’s a friendly hello.” His cheeks warmed as soon as I opened my eyes and met his.

“I really missed you,” I said. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the only reason I was relieved to see him. “What was my mom doing here earlier?”

“Oh, she was just buying a few books. She said she was curious to see what I’d changed so far. But I told her I hadn’t done much more than clean and try to get the stock all up to date.”

I slumped in relief. “I thought she was over here drilling you for answers or trying to find out what’s going on between us.”

“What’s going on between us?” he asked, but his voice was gruff and sexy as hell. I swallowed hard before I could find my voice.

“Whatever you want to go on between us,” I was finally able to say. But then I remembered he might not be staying.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, and I realized I hadn’t hidden my disappointment at my own thoughts.

“Oh nothing,” I said, but he didn’t take his eyes off me.

“I talked to your mom about something else.”

“Oh, really?” My voice rose to some ungodly level that I could not control, but Ryan just smiled sweetly and stepped closer to me.

“I’m going to buy the store. It looks like you’ll have plenty of time to get sick of seeing me around here,” he said with a big smile.

“You’re staying?” I said, too shocked to react for a moment.

“Yep. I love it here, and I can’t wait to make the store what I want it to be.”

I pulled him into my arms and swung him around while he threw his head back and laughed. “Are you sure? I thought you’d be bored here and ready to go back to the city.”

“No, I like it here. The people have all been very welcoming, and there are a few residents I need to get to know better before I go anywhere.” He cradled my face in his hands. “I can’t wait to get to know you better.”

Now it was me blushing, and he pulled me in for a kiss. “I’m so happy to hear that. I’ve been so worried you were going to tell me you were leaving. Then when Mom went back to work, I knew she was hiding something, but she’s like a steel trap if she doesn’t want to tell you something.”

“I wasn’t sure how you’d feel, but I’m really glad you’re happy about my decision.”

“Of course I’m happy. I’d miss seeing that cute face every day,” I said and held him close. “I could hold you in my arms all day, every day.”

“Well, maybe not all day. I mean, how would we work? And who would bring me cookies?” He smiled before kissing me again. “Come on, let’s go get some lunch.”

“Maybe not all day,” I agreed, and he giggled as he locked the door and I flipped the sign that said back in an hour before the two of us walked to the café, hand in hand.

Eight

Ryan

“Stop smiling,” I said as Charlie tried to hide his grin behind his spoon.

“I’m happy, and I don’t give a fuck who knows it,” he said before taking another bite of vegetable soup and trying to control himself long enough to swallow it. “So, tell me what you plan to do first.”

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