Page 7

CHAPTER SIX

IT’S GOOD TO BE HOME

ADELINE

Twinkle Tales is exactly the kind of bookstore I’d dream of owning if my life had gone a different way.

I’m happy with my choices, but this…it’s magical.

Cozy and charming, with that comforting scent of books and coffee and candles.

Growing up, I came here often, and even during school breaks, I’d stop in, but I haven’t been in since Calista took over the shop from her aunt.

I loved it before, but it’s even better now.

A massive orange tabby meows and swirls its tail against my leg, and I bend down to pet the beauty. “Hello. You’re so pretty,” I whisper.

I spot Elle, Tru, Poppy, and Sadie near a display of romance novels, all of them mid-laugh.

They’re the wives of some of the Mustangs’ best players.

I’ve met Elle before, but I’m not sure she’d remember me.

I’m younger than her and Calista but remember what a good dancer Elle was when we’d go to the high school games.

She’d graduated by the time I got there, but they talked about her on the cheer team because she’d gone on to be a cheerleader at Stanford, which was a big deal in our little town.

I knew Calista better because I loved coming to Twinkle Tales even when her aunt owned it, and Calista was often here, working behind the counter or stocking the shelves.

As far as the rest of the group, I’ve heard about them from my parents.

My mom has enjoyed getting to know them at the family events, and I met them briefly at the picnic earlier.

They were the bright spot in my anxiety-filled day.

“Adeline!” Elle calls, waving me over. “Good to see you. We’re probably being so loud.” She laughs.

“Sounds like you’re having fun.” I grin, stepping into their little circle. “I heard you laughing from outside.”

They crack up even harder at that, and my shoulders relax another degree.

“Guilty,” Elle says unapologetically.

“These girls know how to have a good time,” Calista says. “Hey, Adeline! It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. You look great. And looks like you met Hank.”

“I know. It’s been forever. Twinkle Tales looks amazing.” I look at where Calista is pointing and Hank the cat is sitting at my feet.

“I was wondering what his name was. Hank, I love it,” I say, leaning down to pet him again. “Yes, we met. He’s gorgeous.”

“So you’re the team’s new dietitian, I hear?” Calista asks.

“Yes, I’m the new RD. Back from California finally and ready to get to work.” I smile at her and then get distracted by a little squeak coming from one of the babies.

Both Poppy and Tru have their babies in little slings across their chests, looking like the most fashionable moms I’ve ever seen.

“Cutest babies ever,” I tell them both.

“Aw, thank you. Jonas is exhausted from missing his nap at the picnic. He was too interested in everything to settle down,” Poppy says, shifting so I can see him better.

“Oh,” I coo, when I get a better look. “Total baby envy right now.”

Tru smiles when I look at her little one. “This is Avery, and she’s pretty dreamy…until she’s hangry and then her face turns the brightest shade of pink. Even that’s cute though,” she says, and we all laugh.

“We’re getting our baby fix through them,” Sadie says.

“You don’t have baby envy yet?” Tru asks her, eyebrows lifted.

“Okay, yes. I do have baby envy. Caleb would love a little brother or sister…I’m maybe ready to start trying soon,” she admits.

“Ahh, best news ever!” Tru says and then looks at Elle.

“Don’t look at me,” Elle says, laughing. “I’m so glad you’re here, Adeline. Save me .” Her eyes meet mine and I laugh at the mischievous glint in her eyes.

“I’m happy to get the baby talk off of you anytime,” I say, and she squeezes my arm.

“Thank you,” she whispers dramatically.

“You need to be initiated,” Sadie says, giving me a once-over.

“And by that, I mean, you need to hear us lose our minds over Elle’s book being made into a movie.

Excuse me… Zoey’s book.” Her eyes narrow on me.

“Have you read Zoey Archer’s books, by any chance?

Did you know you’re in the presence of greatness?

” She holds her arm out toward Elle like she’s a game show host and Elle groans, glancing at me apologetically.

“Ignore them. They don’t get out much,” Elle says, and they laugh at that while also pretending to be offended.

“Beg to differ,” Tru says. “I did two extra things today that weren’t related to being a milk cow. One of them includes being here.” She snorts. “I think that constitutes a very busy woman.”

“I’m totally kidding,” Elle says, looking at me. “These women are the great ones.”

“Aww,” Tru says, leaning her head on Elle’s shoulder.

“I have read your books,” I tell Elle. “I loved both of them!”

“Thanks so much!” she says.

“Did you know her book’s being made into a movie?” Poppy asks. “We’re trying to get her to tell us all the details.”

I lean in, intrigued. “A movie? That’s huge!”

“And she won’t tell her best friends anything!” Tru frowns and shakes her head, but in the next second, she’s smiling.

Elle groans. “I swear, I don’t know! They barely tell me anything.”

“That’s not what I heard,” Calista chimes in with a smirk. “Word is they’ve already got a director, and the casting rumors are delicious .”

Elle shakes her head. “You can’t believe everything you see online. I know a little…and what’s online is mostly gossip. They’re keeping everything under wraps for now.”

“Don’t secrets leak sometimes?” Sadie asks hopefully.

Elle smirks. “So far I haven’t seen anyone with the right information.”

Tru gasps. “So you do know something.”

“I promise when I know anything solid, you’ll be the first to know,” Elle promises. “Well, after Rhodes, of course…because he’s the nosiest human on the planet.”

The conversation turns animated, bouncing between book-to-movie adaptations, our favorite actors, and which of Elle’s characters would translate best on screen. Before I know it, they’re talking me into joining them for dinner.

“You don’t even have to drive,” Poppy says. “Just ride with us. We’re taking two vehicles just to handle all of us and the car seats.”

“And you’re in too, right, Calista?” Elle asks.

She nods. “I’m not sure yet. I’ll close up and see if Javi can pull it off.”

Normally, I’d hesitate around new people, but something about them makes me want to say yes. So, I do. And within minutes, I’m crammed into Elle’s SUV, listening to these women laugh and talk to me like they’ve known me forever.

By the time we arrive at the restaurant, I’m in an even better mood. Especially when I see Camden Whitman. I hurry toward him before he even spots me. “Cam!”

His head snaps up, and a slow grin spreads across his face. “Adeline?”

He opens his arms and I wrap my arms around him, squeezing him tight.

“I came with friends and didn’t even realize we were coming to your restaurant! I’ve been dying to come see you since I moved back.”

“Looks better since the last time you were here, right?” He looks around proudly.

“It’s gorgeous, Camden. Really beautiful.”

“Goldie is going to be so jealous that we’re seeing each other without her,” he says, laughing.

“Tough luck. Tell your sister she needs to come see both of us sooner rather than later.”

He shakes his head. “You’ll probably talk to her before I do, but I’ll try.”

I laugh. “You’re probably right. She seems nervous to travel since the car accident, but she’s doing so much better, right?”

“Yes. Everyone’s assured me that she’s fine. I had to see for myself like you when it first happened, but since then, this place has taken over every brain cell I have. I call to check on her, but then ask everyone else to tell me if she’s telling the truth or not.”

I sigh. My best friend doesn’t love everyone fussing over her. “I’ve done the same thing, calling your dad when I don’t hear back from Goldie as soon as usual. It’s driving Goldie nuts.”

He snorts. “She can just deal with it. We all love her. What’s the crime in that?”

“Exactly.”

“It’s so good to see you. I better get back in the kitchen. You staying for dinner?”

“Yep, with some new friends. I’ll come find you before I leave though.”

“You better. And your meal’s on me.”

“Absolutely not,” I argue, but he just winks before heading toward the kitchen.

Still smiling, I turn to join the girls at the table—only for my stomach to drop. Because sitting there, surrounded by my new friends and their partners…is Penn .

Dammit.

I had no idea he’d be here!

And from the look on his face?

He is not happy to see me.