Chapter 1
ONE
JUNIPER
I place the last ornament on the tree in the window and step back to take it in.
Pink satin bows, white sparkly snowflakes, and an assortment of mini book ornaments that I made at the crafting class I hosted last week.
The tree goes perfectly with the pink and white themed décor of Blush & Binding, Cedar Hollow’s romance-only bookstore—my dream.
My store has been open six months, and I’m beyond excited to be celebrating its first holiday season. Romance books and the holidays are two of my loves, so putting them together is absolute magic.
In addition to the tree, I’ve decked the entire store out in festive holiday décor. The strands of greenery are the perfect complement to the pink scalloped-top bookshelves, while the twinkle lights framing the shelves give that cozy, warm glow.
I grab the extra box of ornaments and carry it over to the storage bin for safe keeping.
When I pass the south wall of bookshelves, I let my fingers skim along a step of the sliding ladder.
A handful of months later, and I’m still obsessed with it.
It’s exactly the kind of detail I used to dream about, curled up with a romance novel and a mug of tea.
Sometimes, when the store’s empty, I hop on and slide from one end to the other just because I can.
It’s a vision come to life. Exactly how I imagined it since I knew I wanted to open a romance-only bookstore.
But no matter how beautiful it looks, I can’t stop the way the twinkling lights and familiar scent of warm vanilla chai with hints of fir balsam and cinnamon unearth the memories of last Christmas. Of Liam, and his rejection.
But Liam is a chapter I’ve already closed, I remind myself.
I have the receipts—college degree, signed lease, dream career, and a thriving book club. And the business plan that I worked diligently on in order to receive the small-business grant from the Cedar Hollow Chamber of Commerce.
As it turns out, I didn’t need Liam’s help because I joined the Summit County Small-Business forum and it’s been a wealth of information. One particular member, PourChoices, has given me a lot of good advice with budget and marketing, both not being strong suits of mine.
So, I refuse to let some nostalgic scent pull me back into the depths of humiliation that Liam’s rejection had written into my story, like a cruel plot twist I never saw coming.
I’m just about to mentally rewrite that scene with a more satisfying ending—maybe one that puts my bookstore ladder to good use—when the bell jingles over the door, tugging me back to the present.
Its melodic ring is my favorite sound in the store. Second only to the soft turning of pages as customers nestled in my cozy reading nook lose themselves in their latest bookish escape.
“I’ll be right with you,” I call cheerily. Even though the store closes in five minutes, I want every customer to have a top-notch experience.
I finish unpacking the last few books from the box. It’s Pippa Monroe’s latest bestseller, and though I’ve already read it, I set a copy aside for myself to purchase later and place on my bookshelf at home.
“Welcome to Blush & Binding,” I say, approaching the man who just walked in. “How can I—” He turns toward me, revealing his chiseled cheekbones and warm smile. My words falter, and I stop dead in my tracks.
Standing there is Liam Hargrove, and he looks even more devilishly handsome than I remember.
My eyes drift over him, hungry for every detail.
He’s wearing a black wool coat, and his hair is dusted by the snowflakes falling outside. Also in place, a smug, cheerful smile.
I promised myself last Christmas was the last time Liam Hargrove would leave me feeling like an idiot. And yet here I am, twelve months later, my heart tripping over itself as he walks through the front door of my bookstore like he owns the air.
He glances around, taking in my store, and I hate that I care what he thinks about it.
“Hey, Juniper.” His accent wraps around me like the opening lines of a book I swore I’d never reread. And when he smiles at me, my heart pounds so loud, I can hear it in my ears. “You did it. And it’s bloody brilliant.”
My swoony, romance-loving heart wants to stay in this state forever, but all it takes is one instant replay of the night when Liam kissed me like I was his, then rejected me, to scatter all those feelings.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, not bothering to hide the suspicion in my voice. “Because unless you’re looking for a signed copy of Billionaire’s Christmas Baby Pact, I can’t imagine what would bring you in.”
Liam doesn’t miss a beat. “I already have that one.”
I blink, my brain immediately trying to picture Liam lounging on his couch reading a spicy holiday romance.
His mouth curves into a grin. “E-book and paperback. Don’t judge me.”
“Oh, I’m judging you,” I say, though it comes out shakier than I mean. “Next thing you’ll tell me you’re in a romance book club.”
He shrugs, his long fingers dancing over the top of a paperback on the display table. “Maybe I am.”
I gape at him.
He gestures toward the table of holiday releases. “You think I’d come back here unprepared?”
“Unprepared for what?”
His eyes lift to mine, but he doesn’t respond. I hate that part of me hopes it’s for me. That he’s back because he regrets everything.
But that doesn’t matter, because I can’t go back to being the girl with the silly crush. I refuse to be in that position again.
Liam’s mouth opens to speak, but the door jingles again, pulling our attention to it. Walking toward us, beaming and snow-dusted, are Stella and Jasper.
“You’re not going to believe this,” Stella says, flashing a diamond ring.
“We’re engaged!” Jasper grins.
Before his words are out, I’m leaping at Stella. I wrap her up in a hug before pulling back to admire her ring. I’m aware that Liam is congratulating Jasper with a hug before we exchange positions and I embrace my big brother.
“Congratulations!” I shriek with delight in Jasper’s ear.
“Thanks, Juni.”
When Jasper releases me, I go back to admiring Stella’s ring and asking all the details of how it happened.
“And then,” Stella says, “I pulled out the ring I got for him.”
“You were planning to propose, too?!” I exclaim, taking in the sight of a ring on Jasper’s finger as well.
I gape at them with a beaming smile, but when I feel Liam staring at me, I scowl and throw him some side eye. He smiles back at me, that crooked grin of his making my insides turn to mush.
I ignore it—and him—and turn back to talking with Jasper and Stella while Liam quietly listens.
The bell above the door jingles again and this time it’s my mom. I laugh when I see that she’s carrying champagne and glasses. Clearly, she couldn’t wait for the engagement news to come to her.
“A little birdie told me we have something to celebrate.” When her eyes land on Liam, they light up. “Oh, my goodness. Liam, I didn’t know you were in town.”
My mom embraces him and a pang of jealousy ripples through my veins. Because what would it be like to hug that man casually and feel nothing?
He shrugs but smiles at Jasper and Stella. “I couldn’t miss the big event.”
It hits me that Jasper must have shared his intention to propose to Stella with Liam, and that’s why he’s here. To celebrate Stella and Jasper’s engagement.
It makes far more sense than the idea that he might have arrived in our small, mountain town for other reasons that shall not be named, because I’m done with that silliness.
But the disappointment that causes my belly to dip is a reminder that clearly my feelings for Liam haven’t fizzled out like I’d hoped. God, I hate that he still affects me. That time hasn’t healed this wound.
“Well, Liam, we’re happy to have you here.”
I can’t help the snort of derision that leaves my nasal cavity, but when everyone turns to stare at me, I cover it up with a cough. “I’ve been fighting this cold.” My fingers tap my chest to emphasize my fake upper respiratory struggle.
“Have you been using that humidifier I gave you?” my mom asks sincerely. “It’s a must with this dry winter air.”
“I’ll get right on that.”
My mom pops open the champagne, then hands each of us a glass. I take mine and down it, hoping the bubbles will lift me out of this awkward situation.
“Liam, where are you staying?” my mom asks.
I set down the champagne glass and focus on reorganizing the books on the front holiday themed table. I already did it earlier, but I need a distraction, so I mindlessly do it again.
“I don’t have lodging yet.”
My mom’s eyes widen with panic. “We’ve got family and guests coming in from all over this year. My mother-in-law will be staying with us, and we’ve got Jasper and Juniper’s cousins and their new baby.”
Jasper nods. “We’re staying with Stella’s family, but it’s a full house there as well.”
“No problem. I’m sure I can book a room at the inn like I did last year.”
“Oh no,” my mom gasps, “I hate to say, I already spoke to Mildred at the Snowshoe Inn. It’s completely booked through New Year’s.”
“Oh.” Liam’s grin drops a notch. His eyes shift to me, but I cross my arms and glance away. I’ve got no sympathy.
Should have planned ahead, buddy.
“What about a vacation rental?” Jasper suggests. “I could have Janelle at the office book something for you.”
“I already had her check for the cabin you rented last year, and everything is booked up,” Stella adds.
“Oh no. I guess he can’t stay.” I widen my eyes, my fake worry so sweet I almost gag on it.
“What about your place, June Bug?” my mom says brightly, like she’s just dropped the last piece into a thousand-piece puzzle we’ve been working on for days.
My heart rate kicks into high gear.
My jaw drops.
“Mom—"
She steamrolls my protest. “It’s perfect! We just finished setting up her guest room. It has new bedding and the coziest reading nook.”
“I’m sure that’s exactly what Liam needs—a cozy reading nook,” Jasper teases.
When my eyes meet Liam’s, I silently scream a warning: Say. No.
But he ignores my plea and that stupid, devastating smile curves his mouth.
“I’d be honored to be Juniper’s first guest.”
His eyes find mine, sparking with something I can’t name and definitely don’t trust.
Well, fan-fucking-tastic. The man who humiliated me last Christmas is now sleeping down the hall. And I’m supposed to play nice? Pretend like nothing happened?
Oh, ho ho, hell no.