Page 101 of Catching Kyle

“I guess so,” I say, shrugging.

Kyle puts his hand on my shoulder, sending warmth down my torso. He squeezes it. “Kyle’s not just any writer. His stuff is good.”

“You better send me something when it’s done,” she says. “You write romance?”

“Fantasy romance,” I say, feeling shy like a little kid when all the attention’s on him.

“Oh! Even better.”

“I’m trying to find an agent now,” I say. “Fingers crossed.”

“You’re in my prayers,” she says, smiling at me through her reading glasses.

“Let’s go check it out,” Kyle says.

We get in his rental car, and he takes me down up the road, through some dense trees, to their town center. In the center, they have a municipal building all surrounded by shops I don’t recognize. Ma and Pa shops, likely. Catty-corneredto the center is a large diner, and across from that I spot our destination: The Book Corner.

“This is where I read that Cat Sebastian book,” he says as we park. “The one that helped me see I was gay.”

“No way,” I say as we get out.

When we enter the store, I take a deep breath, and I feel at home. All bookstores—Barnes & Noble to your used bookstore—have that distinct smell. It makes me want to sit down and read, write, and talk to other book enthusiasts. It inspires me honestly, making me feel like I could do anything I wanted. And that includes getting an agent.

I peruse the shelves, awed by how large their collection is despite being in such a small town.

“Welcome in,” a woman says. She’s black with her hair tied in a bandana above her head.

“Llewellyn, right?” Kyle says.

She nods. Then her eyes widen. “Oh my gosh,” she says, her accent coming out. I love the way people sound here. “You’re Kyle Weaver.”

He shrugs with a smile. “The one and only.”

“Silas told me you visited the other day, but I didn’t—my goodness. Martha!”

A redheaded woman at the counter looks up. Then her jaw drops. “Sweet Jesus, he’s back!”

She rushes from behind the counter and greets us. “Sorry,” the redheaded woman—Martha—says. “I know you were here a few months ago, but I couldn’t believe it. When I checked out that book for you, I nearly—”

“It’s okay,” Kyle says with a laugh. “I’m glad to be back.”

“And I’m so glad you stopped by before we got outta town,” she says. “How’s your mama?”

“Good as can be.”

Martha turns to me. “And who’s this handsome man?”

I blush. “I’m Michael,” I say. I glance at Kyle. How should I introduce myself? Friend? Boyfriend?

“He’s visiting fromPortland,” he says.

“Very cool,” Martha says. “Well, make yourselves at home.”

“Can I get you guys anything from the café?” Llewellyn asks.

I suck on my lip. He didn’t say boyfriend. But not friend, either.

Kyle looks at me. “You want an apple cider?”