Page 51

Story: Seeing Red

“This is cute,” I told her, looking around the cozy space. “You turned it into a little library.”

The smile on her face told me she was proud of herself. “Lorenzo helped me. And Romeo paid for all the books. I’m giving some of them away today,” she gestured toward a small display. “You should take one.”

I recognized some of the books from her poly romance display at the shop and arched a brow.

Making sure my snacks were safe on her tiny table, I reached for the slimmest book in the pile.

Sweet Heatby Lady Marie.

“Ooh, that one is good! It’s quick though. I wish there was more of them.”

Tucking the book by my side to keep for later, I studied Goldyn.

There was a question on the tip of my tongue, but she swooped in, shoving a hair tie in the middle of her page to hold her spot.

“You haven’t been to the shop in the past two days. Does that mean you’re finally writing?”

Ouch.

“How do you know I wasn’t writing every time I visited you?”

“Because every day you came in, you asked me to order you another craft book. Then you went upstairs and stared at your computer.”

“Damn. I’m that transparent?”

“Only because I’m a people watcher.” She leaned back and let her golden-brown orbs take me in. “Now I’m never gonna block my blessing and tell you to stop ordering books because it’s good for business, but what are you running from, True? What do you think you’re gonna read in one of those books that you don’t already know?”

“I don’t know,” I mumbled. “I think grief just rewired my brain in the worst way. I don’t know how to do any of the things I used to do so easily. I feel so directionless. Thought the books could help?—”

I stopped talking when that annoying lump formed in my throat. I wasnotabout to vent to this lady or cry in front of her. I didn’t care how sweet she was.

“Oh, honey.” She scooted closer to me. “I didn’t know you were grieving. How long has it been?”

“A year, but…”

“But it feels like yesterday?” Goldyn finished for me.

“Yea.”

“Grief brought me to Bliss Peak, too. I floundered around this town for a year before I figured my shit out. And I’m so glad I didn’t leave before that because everything clicked into place so fast right when I was ready to give up.”

“What changed for you?”

Goldyn sighed before her expression turned mischievous. “Not much aside from time. But I kinda accelerated things when I broke into a house in the woods and the owners asked me to date them for the summer.”

“So the answer is finding three fine ass men to help my dreams come true?”

She hid a coy smile. “I didn’t say that, but it doesn’t hurt.”

“Hmm, I don’t know if my luck is as good as yours.” I told her about the “bat” and how the first time I met Noah I was half naked.

She couldn’t stop her fit of laughter and I joined in.

“So, yea, I think there’s a delay on my three Prince Charmings.”

“Looks like one of them has found you,” she muttered close to my ear before scooting away from me.

What was she talking about?