Page 32 of The Ruse of Romancing

“Sorry, Spencer. I need to respond to this. It’s my date for tomorrow solidifying plans.” I was maybe laying it on a little thick, but I needed Spencer to clearly understand that I wasn’t interested, and this seemed easier than rejecting him outright.

“Oh, uh, date? I didn’t know you were,” Spencer’s voice cracked again as he visibly deflated, “seeing anyone.”

I did my best to focus all my attention on my phone to give Spencer a chance to regroup. He really was a nice guy. He just wasn’t Allen.

“It’s a recent thing. I don’t know if you’d technically say we’re ‘seeing’ each other, but I’m interested in discovering where things go.”

I quickly typed out a response, agreeing to let Allen drive me and giving him my address. Usually, I didn’t let a guy pick me up until we’d been on a few dates, but there was something about Allen that I trusted.

I should probably pass his name onto Avery as a potential cover designer as well as Mason’s. Though I would like to see Allen’s artwork first, gauge his skills. And if it gave me a chance to spend more time with him, all the better.

When Allen didn’t immediately respond, I tucked my phone back into my pocket and gave Spencer my best “I just want to be friends” smile. I wasn’t sure if that smile was actually a thing, but I really hoped that was what I was conveying as I looked at him.

“So, this date, it’s with someone you met while you were in Cascade Harbor?” Spencer wouldn’t meet my eye, scuffing the toe of his shoe into the carpet as he talked.

“Yeah. It’s pretty new, but he’s also visiting the area and has been kind enough to show me some of the sights.”

“That’s great,” Spencer said, nodding like a bobble head going jeeping.

He seemed determined to look at anything besides me, as if searching the bookshelves for what he wanted to say next.

“Anyway,” he cleared his throat, “what can I help you with today?”

“I was wondering if I could write in your store for a couple of hours this afternoon? I’m not sure if the wifi is fixed at my place yet and I need a change of scenery from the bakery.

Too many pastries tempting me at every turn,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.

No need for Spencer to know I read every single emotion from hurt to disappointment as it flashed across his face.

Dude definitely did not have a poker face.

Not to mention his face was turning a shade of red that was a little concerning.

“Of course!” Spencer’s face lit up, chasing away at least a little bit of the pain I’d put there. “But only if you promise you’ll come do an official signing here after your next book releases. You could tell people you wrote part of the book in the store.”

It wasn’t a bad idea. Spencer might not have a poker face, but he was definitely a savvy businessman.

“I’ll see what I can do, but I’ll have to convince my publisher. Thankfully, one of the owners is my sister, so I think I can persuade her,” I said, looking around the shop trying to locate an armchair that would suit my needs.

“Really? Because I’ve been trying to get you out here for a signing and keep hitting a brick wall with some guy named Eric.”

I rolled my eyes. Of course, Eric was causing problems. Avery’s ex-fiancé had the personality of a marble.

And not one of those pretty, colorful marbles.

He was just a round piece of glass that looked shiny but really didn’t have much purpose beyond that.

Eric loved to point out just how shiny he was, touting his connections and advanced degree.

How my adventurous older sister had ended up with such a stick-in-the-mud, I’d never know.

I had never been more proud of her than when she’d called off the wedding last month.

“Don’t worry about Eric. I’ll talk to Avery, and we’ll get a signing on the calendar just as soon as we can work it into the schedule.”

“That would be amazing! Of course you can write here. My bookstore is your bookstore. I mean, for writing. Obviously, if you want to buy a book, you’ll have to checkout like everyone else—"

“Can you point me to the nearest armchair so I can get to work?” I asked, cutting Spencer off before he could ramble more.

“Happy to! Right this way.” Spencer led the way to the fluffiest reading chair I’d ever seen.

“Oh, this is perfect,” I said, as I settled into the seat. I deposited my laptop bag at my feet and retrieved my computer.

I could feel Spencer watching me and finally I paused to ask, “Can I help you with anything else before I start working? Did you get more books that you need signed?”

Maybe he’d take the hint and leave me to work. Instead, Spencer shook his head and bit his lip before blurting out, “You know, Mason says tourists only want one thing when it comes to a vacation romance. You should be careful with this guy you just met.”

I flinched at the harsh words, taken aback at their suddenness. My anger began to boil, and I had to remind myself not to snap at the kind, if misguided, bookstore owner in front of me.

“And how would Mason know what Allen wants?”

“Well, he doesn’t. I mean, I’m assuming.

I haven’t asked him about your situation, of course, since I just learned you were seeing someone, but that’s what Mason says about all vacation romances.

He says tourists just want a temporary fling, nothing serious.

” All of this spilled out of Spencer in a torrent, without him pausing to take a breath as he wrung his hands as if nervous for my response.

He clearly put too much stock in what Mason said, a man who really shouldn’t be trusted in the romance department if my observations were anything to go off.

If this was how Mason viewed the world, maybe I didn’t want to pass his name onto Avery as a possible cover artist.

“Good thing Allen isn’t Mason and is a mature man who’s not looking for a temporary fling.” I bit out the words, careful to keep my tone pleasant if a bit dry. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”

Spencer hovered awkwardly for a moment longer, but I ignored him, slipped in my earbuds, and got back to work, channeling my anger into a fight scene with the Fates that would leave readers desperate to get to the end of the chapter.