Page 96 of Smoke and Fire
"I think so."
"This is the same girl that had been claiming to have found Jess?"
"The one. Itwasa desperate move. It's this big dramatic story," I said with a wave of my hand, "but she basically thought the real Jess was a girl she once met and dated online that catfished her. Katrina wanted to out her. So she told all these women that Jess worked from here and they all decided to come. Today. They were hoping that a sit-in or a big crowd would draw Jess out of hiding."
"Sweet baby pineapple," Lizbeth muttered. "It's mad or brilliant or both. If this is what other romance lovers are doing, I might need to step up my game. Where are all these people coming from?"
I shrugged. "I don't know. Everywhere? Local? Both? I haven't had a chance to ask."
"Some are local," she murmured, then waved to someone that calledhello! through the window. "I recognize a few women from the library and book club, but . . . not all of them I'd wager. That's nuts."
"Yeah," I whispered.
"Think it'll work?" Her voice pitched a bit higher. "Do you think Jess will actually come?”
“No.”
“When I walked in, Katrina was saying that they should just have a big discussion and book club inside in the back room, but that she was wrong about Jess. Katrina said that Jess isn't here."
My heart crinkled for Katrina. Well-enough intentioned of a motive, if not totally creeptastic, but not well thought out. I felt for her. Heartbreak sucked. Unrequited, unexpected heartbreak? That musttotallysuck.
"I don't know," I said.
Lizbeth reared back, hands in the air. "Hold the phone. How are we nottalking about the fact that Jessmight freaking live in Pineville?"
"According to Katrina," I squeaked. “She might have made it up!”
"Still." Lizbeth's face became a maze of concentration. "What if? That would be insane. What if she came into the shop all the time? What if I'd served her at the bakery? What if she vacations here at an old family cabin and I ran into her by accident on a frequent basis andI never knew? I readwhileI walk, you know? I know for a fact that I read three of her books while following JJ around the grocery store across the street. She could have seen that. Does that blow your mind?"
"The fact that you read while you walk blows my mind, yes."
"You bettah believe it," she murmured. "Saves a ridiculous amount of time and, c'mon! How did you set Rodrigo down? Anyway." Her expression brightened. "Think she could be that crazy lady that walks her dogs off leash by the river? No. Definitely not."
She continued to ramble to herself and I let her go. As long as she asked no questions, I had no obligation to provide answers. Before I could say another word, Katrina whirled around and came back inside. The wildness had calmed in her gaze, but uncertainty still lived there.
"Ah . . ."
She stopped a few paces into the room and chewed on her bottom lip. Her gaze drifted to Lizbeth and then back to me. Lizbeth waved.
"How'd it go?" I asked carefully.
Katrina pulled in a deep breath. "Fine. I mean, they're not going to storm the coffee shop, but . . . they also aren't going to leave."
"What?" I asked.
"They want Jess. I told them I was wrong but . . . they didn't believe me. They're going to start taking pictures and spreading the word to see if we can get more people. One lady thinks Jess will show up if we fill all of Pineville with love and support from her fans."
"Sweet baby pineapple," Lizbeth whispered again.
"In the meantime," Katrina continued, "they want to start a round-table discussion about the latest launch. Someone thought about playing the audiobook out loud until Jess comes, but I told them no one could disturb the peace."
"Thank you," I sighed.
My face must have betrayed my annoyance because Katrina winced. "I'm so sorry. I don't know what to do now."
Lizbeth leaned against the counter. "Well, let's get them fed." She reached into her pocket for a ponytail holder. "We'll put them in the back room until we meet the person limit, then people can cycle in and out. No reason the Frolicking Moose shouldn't be put to work." She pointed to Katrina. "Any rowdiness or issues? It's coming back on you."
Katrina nodded.
