Page 5 of To Fall or Not to Fall

Chapter Three

A va

“Arabella, I am telling you, that man only had eyes for Ava,” Aria says, laughing as she sips her apple cider. She is giddy, and all I can do is glare at her as she talks about the handsome businessman. “He was all over her.”

“No, he wasn’t,” I say, shaking my head as I sip my vodka cranberry.

“He was gorgeous, though,” I admit, looking at my friends.

“His name was Theo—well, to be precise, it was Oscar Theodore Wilder.” I grin.

“What a romantic name.” I am not going to pretend that I didn’t think he was hot.

The man looked like he walked right out of a romance book, and I was very interested in seeing him without his shirt on.

I blush at the thought, but it’s the truth.

Theo was the sort of man who could give you one wink and your panties would fall off.

Not that he’d winked at me, thank God. The last thing I needed was for my panties to fall off in front of him.

Before a first date.

“Yeah, but he didn’t look like a romantic sort of man,” Aria says, still laughing. “He looked like the sort of alpha male that takes what he wants when he wants and tells you to like it.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” I lick my lips, and my friends start laughing. “Ugh, why am I so attracted to toxic men? Not that I know he’s toxic or anything. But he definitely seemed more serious than the regular tourists.”

“Girl, I wanted to ask him what he was doing in Coconut Beach, wearing what looked to be a very expensive suit? Was he going to swim in that?

“Hey, maybe he’s in the middle of a mental breakdown or some sort of early midlife crisis. Or maybe he’s just one of those men who doesn’t know how to dress and needs a woman to provide her input.” Aria waggles her eyebrows at me, and I feel a warm blush rising on my face.

“Well…” I pause. “I don’t know if he needs a woman. He was so hot. I bet he’s close to marriage already. Though I’d be very happy to dress and undress him.”

“Yeah, I doubt it. I didn’t see a ring,” Aria says, her eyes laughing at me. “And I checked for you.”

“Why did you check for me? It’s not like he’s even been in the store again. I don’t even know where he’s staying. And he’s a tourist, so it doesn’t matter if he was into me. He’ll be gone within the week. And I don’t do one-week romances.”

“But maybe he’ll stay for love,” Arabella says, her voice excited. “Maybe you’re his true love and?—”

I roll my eyes as I interrupt her. “Really?”

“I’m just saying.” She grins. “Didn’t we say we all wanted to find love?”

“Yeah, but I think we want to find love with men who live in or around Coconut Beach,” I say.

I sit back and survey the crowd of people in the bar, looking to see if there are any men I’d like to make my forever.

“Oh my gosh, am I really going to do this, guys?” I change the subject as I look at the same familiar faces.

None of these men make my heart flutter like Theo.

“Yes, because how is anyone going to know about the dating services we’re launching if you don’t tell them?” Aria says, frowning. “Plus, we know almost everyone here, so you shouldn’t feel nervous.”

“Yeah,” I say. “Did you see Eloise?” I whisper, trying not to gag.

I’d noticed Eloise and her bleached-blonde hair and short white tank top almost immediately.

I totally wasn’t jealous of her tanned abs that were on display.

Nor the fact that several men were ogling her like she was some Baywatch beauty.

I was proud of myself for ignoring the fake smile she’d sent my way when I’d walked in looking like her ugly stepsister come to town, wearing my faded blue jeans and sporting frizzy dark hair.

Arabella nods. “I saw her, and I avoided eye contact because—excuse me—I’m not going to pretend that we’re friends just because we went to school together.”

“Exactly. And I don’t really want to hear about—” I pause as Larry, the bar’s owner, comes up to us.

He’s jovial, with ginger hair and a wide smile, and I have a feeling he has a crush on Arabella.

Though she’s not interested in him, as he’s old enough to be her father and spends the majority of his time talking about fishing or his bar.

Neither of which she has a real interest in.

“Hey, Ava. I just wanted to let you know that if you want to make the announcement, you should do it within the next five minutes because we’re going to start trivia night in a little bit. Okay?” He’s talking to me, but he’s smiling at Arabella.

“Thanks, Larry,” I say, nodding. “Let me just finish this drink and get up the courage to speak to a large crowd of drunks.”

“Oh, Ava, the night is young. No one is drunk yet,” he says, laughing. “Come on, get it over with.”

“Okay.” I take another sip and look over at my friends, who both give me big thumbs-up. Like that’s going to help.

I’m not sure why I have a fear of public speaking, but my stomach always races with nerves before I have to speak to a large group of people. I take a deep breath and walk over to the microphone, where Larry will be asking the questions for trivia night in just a few moments.

The bar is packed with locals and some tourists.

Larry’s bar is a dive bar at the edge of town, and most tourists don’t come here because it’s just not fun and festive like all the places on Main Street and near the beach.

But that’s why we locals love it. The shark heads on the wall and the old anchors feel like home.

And five-dollar beers don’t hurt either.

Larry walks up to the microphone and taps it a few times, which elicits a few groans in the crowd.

“Hey, guys, we’re going to start trivia in a couple of minutes, so get thinking about your team names.

I’ve got Ava here from the local bookstore, who has an announcement.

Come on down, Ava. You’re the next contestant on.

..” His voice trails off as the crowd cheers.

I head over to the microphone, half dancing as I make my way.

I plaster a confident smile on my face because you have to fake it to make it, as Granny always says, and then I look out at the crowd.

Some people at the front are looking at me, but most are still talking.

I clear my throat, but that doesn’t really get anyone’s attention.

“Hey, hey, hey,” I say into the microphone. A couple more people look at me, but still not everyone. “I’m going to strip naked!” I shout, and then the bar goes quiet. I see every eye fly to the front, and I blush uncomfortably. “Just joking, but I got your attention.” I giggle nervously.

“Take off your clothes,” a drunk guy to the side shouts out, and his friends start laughing and egging him on. From the looks of his outfit, I can tell he’s a tourist, so I just ignore him.

I look over and see Aria laughing. “Hi, everyone.” I raise my hand and wave.

“I’m Ava. If you don’t know me, I own Beachy Ball, Biscuits, & Books , a local bookstore on Main Street.

I have the best coffee, pumpkin spice lattes, apple cider, muffins, cupcakes, gingerbread men—and lots more.

And, of course, books. Lots and lots of books.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that fall is my favorite season, and if you go past my store, you’ve probably figured that out.

” People stare at me with polite expressions, but I’m not seeing any real excitement. My stomach churns uncomfortably.

“But for most of us locals, we know that the fall festival is coming up, and Thanksgiving and Christmas, and then...” I take a deep breath.

“Anyway, if you are like me and you’re single, you may have relatives who think you should be in a relationship with someone and attend these events with a significant other. ”

I hear some groans and laughs, and I suddenly feel comforted. People can always come together over meddling relatives. They exist in every culture in the world.

“Well, I’m here to tell you that we’re going to be offering a matchmaking service at the bookstore to hopefully help all the singles in town who want to meet someone.

In fact, not only are we going to have a matchmaking service, but we’re also going to have a secret crush mailbox.

Because everyone, at some point, has had someone they’re secretly into, and we want to help you get the word out there. ”

“Take your clothes off and I’ll tell you—” the drunk tourist shouts out, but is stopped by Larry, who whispers something into his ear and shuts him up. I’m very grateful for trout-fishing, IPA-loving Larry at that moment.

“So, if you want to write an anonymous love letter, feel free to pop into the store and put it in our secret crush mailbox, which will be on the countertop. We’re going to have our first event coming up in a week, and it’s going to be a really cozy, fun, pumpkin-carving mixer.

If you’re interested, please come and find me at the table over there.

” I point to Aria and Arabella. “We’ve got some interest forms that we would love for you to fill out so we know about how many people to expect. If no one has any questions?—”

“I have a question,” Billy, a tall, skinny man with short curly hair and fair skin, sticks his hands up eagerly.

I know him from the butcher shop, where he’s often tried to get me to invite him for dinner.

I hope he’s not going to profess his love for me.

I like grand gestures, but I don’t want one from him.

“Yes, Billy?”

“What if I want to go on a date with you ?” He leans forward, and my stomach drops.

“Well, you’re eighteen and a little too young for me, but thank you.” I smile sweetly.

“Gee, Ava. It’s not about age, but the size of?—”

“Does anyone else have any other questions? No? Good, good.” I speak before anyone else can. “Come and meet me at the table if you do. Thanks, Larry.” I wave to the owner and head back toward the table. Immediately, a couple of women rush over to me.