“I live at the end of your lane.” She steps back, straightening her shirt with a mock seriousness that makes me want to pull her in for another kiss. “Okay, well. That was unexpected.”
“But nice,” I quickly add, squeezing her hand. “We’d probably still be going at it if I didn’t have to—”
“Yeah, yeah,” she interrupts with a laugh, brushing me off as she grabs her keys. “I get the hint. You’ve got ‘something’ to do. I’ll let you go do it and talk to you later?”
I’m about to nod when my alarm goes off again, more insistent this time, like it’s mocking me.
Bex snickers, tossing a wave over her shoulder as she heads to the door. “Better get going before that thing starts yelling at you. And Austin?” She pauses, turning to give me a grin that sends my heart racing all over again. “Don’t keep me waiting too long.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I call after her, watching her leave with a smile that I know won’t be fading anytime soon.
As the door clicks shut, I take a deep breath, shaking my head at how quickly she’s turned my world upside down.
But honestly? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
FOURTEEN
Bex
Pages and Prose, Georgie’s shop and Sweetkiss Creek’s local bookstore, is a busy and popular spot when I stop in today. I love a delicious bookshop, but this one is special. Not just because it’s tucked away in what used to be an old walk-up apartment in town that’s now in the area’s most vibrant shopping district. Nor is it because it’s Georgie’s store and she’s my friend.
No, my affinity for this bookstore started last summer, before I moved here. I’d found out about Georgie’s open mic nights. I think she called them15 Minutes of Fame,or something like that, and I don’t know…it tickled something inside of me and I had to explore it.
Something I taught myself how to do is play guitar. I’m not great—I can only manage a few chords—but I did write a song or two. Nothing major, just something for myself. I had anonymity at that time, which also gave me the courage to jump up on that stage almost every night she hosted here.
Georgie sees me, giving me a quick wave as she finishes ringing up a customer. I wait another moment as she takes care of a few more folks who are waiting in line, watching as everyone clears out in about ten minutes. The bookshop is silent once again.
“Hey,” she says, leaning across the counter like she’s about to curl up on top of it and take a nap. “Wow. That was a rush. Not sure why we’re so busy today, but I’m not going to complain. What are you doing here?”
I finger the pages of the latest bestseller she has on display at the counter. It’s an ice hockey rom-com I’ve had my eye on,Penalties and Proposalsby Anne Kemp. I grab it and slide it across to her and lean on the counter myself.
“Buying that,” I say, “and also coming in for…girl talk?”
“Is that a question?”
“Pretty much. I think I want girl talk, but you may want to talk me out of a thing.”
She tilts her head to one side. “A thing?”
“A thing I’m here to girl talk with you about.”
“Is this like girl dinner?” she ponders.
That makes me scratch my head. “Not sure what you mean.”
Georgie rolls her eyes playfully, swatting at the air. “Never mind. What’s going on?”
“I may have kissed someone.”
“You did? Don’t leave me hanging…who?”
I stare at her and don’t say a word. Within thirty seconds, her eyes almost bug out of her head as she stands up straight and stares into space.
“Oh. Oh!” She pushes a few strands of hair away from her face, grabs her stool, and slowly sits. “No. Austin?”
I only nod.
“Was it good?”
