Page 23

“I know.” A scoff filled the thick silence that followed. “Even though sometimes I wish I didn’t. I know it’s toxic, but I used to be a hopeless romantic. All I wanted was to be in love and have somebody who loved me just as hard, and I feel like I fucked up my only chance at that.”

“You didn’t fuck it up, yousavedyourself. And that’s the hardest part.” There was a man or woman out there who would love him correctly and make him happy he’d left. I didn’t say it aloud because I knew how trite it sounded. Even still, I believed it with every fiber of my being. Noah deserved the softest, most secure love and one day he would believe it.

“That’s why Greyson’s so protective of you,” I murmured after a silent moment.

“Protective?” Noah chuckled and the lighthearted sound pushed away some of the anger I was feeling.

“Yes.Protective,” I emphasized. “That man was ready to give me the cold shoulder and the third degree at the same time because he thought I was your new girlfriend.” Greyson may have had his own way of showing it, but he’d seen his best friend at his lowest and didn’t want him to go back to that.

That was love, in its simplest form. Wanting the best for someone. Sometimes even if they didn’t want the best for themselves.

Before I knew it, we were pulling up in front of a double storefront on Main Street with “Bakery and Bookshop” printed on the awning outside.

When I squinted, I could see Read the Room stamped on the door on the left and Sinful Bites on the right. “This place is cute,” I said with a smile.

“Call me if you need anything. I’ll be around.” He put the truck in park so it wouldn’t move when I climbed down.

I looked up at him from the street, wanting to say something to acknowledge the secrets he’d trusted me with, but he looked like he was already past it. His easy smile was back in place and his posture was casual.

“Bye, Noah. Thanks for the ride,” I said instead, hoping it conveyed even a fraction of what I felt.

He winked and my heart skipped a beat.

“Anytime, Red. I’ll be back for you.”

I knew I needed to go inside because Noah wouldn’t leave until he saw that I was no longer on the sidewalk.

But an unwelcome wave of dread had crashed into me the second I got to the door.

My feet stayed fixed on the cobblestone, my eyes roaming over the festive hay bales with painted pumpkins just outside the shop. The pumpkin closest to me was painted black and white to make a face. And it had a miniature book resting on flimsy legs and arms. It was cheesy and cute and a reluctant smile tugged at my lips.

Pulling in a breath, I pulled open the door and the chimes above my head signaled my arrival.

It was toasty inside, making my puffer vest unnecessary.

Scents from the bakery next door wafted into the bookshop and my mouth watered while my stomach rumbled in protest, reminding me I hadn’t had breakfast.

Fresh baked bread, sugar and the aroma of coffee battled for my attention and taste buds.

“Woah. Where’d you come from?”

The déjà vu her question evoked was quickly chased away when I looked down at the beaming woman in front of me.

“Hey,” she greeted conversationally, like we’d met before. Her smile hadn’t dimmed as she looked me over from head to toe. “What can I do for you today, gorgeous?”

She was a full head shorter than me but her piercing honeyed orbs made me feel like she was the one peering down at me.

“Just here to write,” I supplied, shifting my purse strap on my shoulder. It was heavy because luckily, I’d remembered to put my laptop inside before going to sleep last night.

My answer had her eyes alight with joy. “Okay, feel free to spread out wherever you want.” She spun in a slow circle, gesturing toward every cozy corner of the cavernous space. “We have couches down here but if you want to be away from foot traffic then we have some tables and nooks set up upstairs.”

She pointed toward the staircase hugging the wall.

“Oh! And if you get hungry, lunch is served all day next door. My name is Goldyn. Just shout if you need me.”

Then she disappeared, back behind the counter I hadn’t noticed when I walked in because I was too busy taking in the layout.

All the bookshelves were up against the wall with a few spotlight tables set up in the middle of the open space.