Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 510(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
“Tell us,” Bee says gently as she brushes her fingers through my hair. “We can help. Don’t get too graphic because it’s my brother.”
“I think it’s just going to be a friends-with-benefits thing.” The words rush out of me in a whoosh, and then I sip my latte to mask my embarrassment. “I mean, we’re both so busy, you guys. I hardly see him.”
“Is there no chemistry?” Bee asks. I know that despite the fact that we’re discussing her brother, she can be impartial and give me excellent advice.
She’s always been good at giving advice.
“Oh, there’s chemistry.” I bite my lip and then decide to tell them about my garage just a few hours ago, and that has them both wrapping me in a hug. “But, isn’t that the definition of … convenience? We bang when we can, but otherwise, there’s not much going on?”
Bee frowns, and Millie’s head is cocked to the side, watching me with her lips pursed.
“Mm, I think you should talk to Bridger,” she says at last. “Because that’s not the impression that I got from him the other day.”
“Why? What did he say the other day?”
Millie shakes her head. “He’s my best friend, and I can’t betray a confidence, but you really do need to talk to him, Dani. Hey, I gotta go. It looks like we have a line.”
Millie hurries back to her coffee shop, and Bee links her arm through mine.
“She’s right,” she says. “I’m your bestie, and I’m telling you, you need to talk to him. You’ve come so far in sticking up for yourself, in speaking up for what you need. Don’t stop that now, babe. Bridger’s not really the fuck buddy type, so seriously, just have a conversation.”
I nod and swallow the lump that just formed in my throat. I needed to talk to her about this because the doubts I’ve been dealing with have been driving me nuts.
And she’s right, the only person who can tell me what he’s thinking is the man himself.
“Okay, enough of that. Back to the reason I’m here. The store is amazing, Bee.”
She grins. “Right? So far, the response has been so fantastic.”
“I love how well-stocked the spicy book section is,” I inform her, waggling my eyebrows. “I’ll be buying, like, twenty books today.”
“Good. I’ll let you.”
“Excuse me.”
We turn at the sound of the voice and smile at the willowy redhead before us. She has the most remarkable green eyes, and her skin is like porcelain.
She’s gorgeous. And I might be a little jealous.
“Hello,” Bee says. “How can I help?”
“Well, I overheard you discussing spicy books,” the stranger says, and I hear an accent in her voice. Irish? Scottish? It’s so pretty. “And I also noticed that you have a wonderful selection. Have you read Samantha Young?”
I nod, but Bee shakes her head no.
“Do I need to read her?” Bee asks us, looking back and forth between us.
“I strongly recommend her,” the woman says. “I’m Skyla, by the way.”
“Bee. And this is my friend, Dani.”
We all shake hands, and I tilt my head to the side, watching the newcomer.
“Are you visiting, Skyla?”
“Actually, I recently moved to town,” she says with a hesitant smile. “I came from New York, but I’m originally from Galway, Ireland.”
“Honestly,” Bee says, “I’m a little in love with your accent. Welcome to town. What do you do?”
“Well, I’m about to open a dance studio.” She smiles softly, and I think I’m a little in love with her, too. “I was a dancer in New York City, and I’d like to teach children.”
“We know about a hundred kids who would love that,” I assure her. “In fact, I’ll bet Birdie would be all over it. My … friend’s daughter. Is five too young to start dance?”
“Not at all,” she assures me. “I’d love to have her.”
“Well, this is exciting,” Bee says. “And now I’m thinking that we should start a spicy book club.”
“Sign me up,” I reply with a nod.
“Oh, me, too,” Skyla agrees.
“Three members already.” Bee laughs. “And let’s start with a Samantha Young novel.”
All in all, it was a good day. I spent a couple of hours at the bookstore, talking more with Skyla, who is just so pretty and sweet, and then other friends who drifted in and out. My sisters all came by. I left before Bridger and Birdie popped in, but I was getting hungry, so I came home.
It’s late now, and although we’re squarely into September, and it’s not warm anymore once that sun goes down, the sky is clear tonight, with a full moon, and I want to lie out on the driveway to do my daily affirmations and meditation.
So, I bundle up in Bridger’s hoodie, close the door behind me, and walk down to my spot. Once I’m lying down, I take a long, deep breath, hold it for four seconds, and then let it out slowly, all while keeping my eyes pinned to the stars above.