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“Are you going to be a professional photographer?” I asked her when she’d finally handed the phone back to me.

She shrugged. “Maybe. Can I be a vet and a photographer?”

I looked into her eyes. “You can be whatever you want to be, Ellie Belly. Never, ever forget that. You can be a photographer veterinarian president model teacher if you decide.”

Ellie grinned at me. “I don’t think I want to be president though.”

Laughing, I scrolled through the pictures she’d taken. “I don’t blame you. I don’t want to be president either.”

I found one of the cutest pictures and sent it off to Bren. If that didn’t thaw her, I didn’t know what would.

Well it looks great on you, but you’d make anything look good.

I almost let out a little excited squeal.

“What did she say?” Ellie asked, grabbing my arm to try and see my phone screen.

“She thinks I look good.”

Ellie giggled and clapped. “I told you you’re gonna kiss her.”

That one commentfrom Bren had me buzzing the rest of the night. I couldn’t help going back to look at it.

She hadn’t backpedaled either! That was progress. We were making progress together.

With all the conversing with Bren, I realized I hadn’t spoken much with Bibliofile. I’d sent her a few messages here and there, but my main focus had been Bren and that wasn’t fair to Biblio, so I sent her a message apologizing about being MIA.

No worries. I’ve been busy myself. Believe it or not, I’m actually going to brave other people and go to a book club. I got talked into it and the book is actually really good. Are you proud of me?

I actually was. That was something completely out of her normal comfort zone.

You can’t see me, but I’m doing a little dance in your honor right now. Will there be snacks?

She told me there would be and I gave her all kinds of encouragement.

You know what? You’ve inspired me. I’m signing up for my local book club too.

Between the Sheets had a monthly book club and while buying the book was part of it, I didn’t mind supporting the business at all. I’d been on the fence, but I went to the website and signed up also placing an order for the book that I’d pick up in the store tomorrow. That was an excellent reason to stop by Between the Sheets and see if they had anything new. Maybe I could even convince Ember to come with me. She did like to read, and it would be nice to have some sister time with her.

I went downstairs and found my parents snuggled up and watching an old black-and-white movie. Archer was still outside, the sound of the basketball bouncing on the driveway in competition with the peepers. At least he was doing that and wasn’t gaming for twelve hours a day. Ellie was on the couch with Mom and Dad, and I assumed Ember was in her room, so I went upstairs to find her.

“Em? It’s me,” I told her when I knocked on the door.

“Yeah?” she said, the one word full of teenage irritation that I would dare disturb her.

Gently, I opened the door and poked my head in.

“Hey, I have to drop by the bookstore tomorrow and wanted to know if you’d come with me? I’ll buy you lunch.” I wasn’t above luring her with free food.

Ember looked up from her phone and thought about it for a few seconds before shrugging. “Sure.”

“You good?” I asked.

“Uh huh,” she said, her voice tight. Oh no. Something was up.

“Okay, well you can tell me about it tomorrow.”

I left before she could argue with me.