Chapter 18 #2
“Exactly!” She points her fork at me. “I don’t know…
I don’t think he ever really liked me for me.
Don’t get me wrong, we had a connection at first. He was in finance and he helped me get the store off the ground.
I think he just didn’t believe that I would ever choose this over him.
But when it came time to make the choice, I realized that we didn’t have much in common.
I think I was searching too hard for my Prince Charming and he was so desperate for someone he could mold into the perfect wife that we were both blind to the reality of our situation. I’m just glad I got out when I did.”
“I’m glad you did, too.”
“Could you imagine me marrying someone who doesn’t like fall?” She flashes me one of her heart-stopping smiles. “It’s the most magical time of year.”
“Pretty sure you stole that tag line from Christmas, Xuxuzinho.”
“What’s more magical than the season of saving yourself?
” Her cheeks flush that gorgeous pink as she launches into an impassioned speech.
“The flowers burrow down and the leaves turn magnificent reds and oranges so that the trees can conserve water for the winter. And you know why the leaves fall? It’s so that the branches don’t get too heavy and crack under the weight of the oncoming snow.
Fruit falls to the ground and seeds ripen so that the trees can preserve their species; animals stockpile food so they can hibernate in the winter.
Nature saves itself and it all happens in the fall. ”
“Is that what you’re doing by fake dating me?” I ask softly. “Burrowing down? Hiding out?”
Penny’s lips fall open before she quickly snaps them shut.
“This isn’t about me,” she says with a forced smile. “Remember we’re doing this for you.”
The bell jangles before I have a chance to answer and Penny’s head snaps up to look to the door. “Welcome to Bonfire and Bliss Books!” she calls as she prepares to stand up.
I shake my head. “I’ll go. You finish your dinner.”
“But what if they’re looking for a specific trope?”
I chuckle. “Then it’s a good thing you just told me how everything is organized.”
I round the corner to serve the customer who, fortunately, is not looking for a specific trope, and knows precisely where the book she wants is located.
Unfortunately, however, I don’t know how to work the register.
“If you’ll just give me a minute,” I say, staring at the screen, trying to figure out how to work it. “I just need to go and grab my girlfriend.”
I turn to call out for Penny but she’s already walking in our direction. She greets the customer by name, and then blushes when the girl says she didn’t realize Penny had a boyfriend.
When we’re alone again and seated back at the table, Penny stares down at her feet with a serious expression. “We probably need nicknames.”
“Nicknames?”
“Yeah.” Penny nods. “All good book boyfriends give their girlfriend a nickname. Baby, sweetheart, red.” She says the last one with an edge and I get the feeling she liked whatever book had that in it. I make a mental note to figure out what it’s called.
“What about pumpkin?”
Her lips twist into a grin. “I know you’re probably suggesting it because I’m basic like that—and don’t make fun of me—but pumpkin is my favorite nickname.”
I return her smile. “Yeah?”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
I swipe a hand at my mouth and realize she’s right—I’m grinning like a damn fool. “Because that’s what I’ve always called you.”
Confusion creeps across her face. “What?”
“Xuxuzinho. What did you think that meant?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know, like honey or something. Figured it was just something you called all the girls.”
I shake my head and a chuckle slips out. I should be embarrassed to admit it, should worry that she’ll see right through me, but I can’t lie to her. “I’ve never called anyone else that.”
“What does it mean?”
“Sweet pumpkin,” I murmur.
Her eyes widen and her breath hitches. “What?”
“Xuxuzinho means ‘sweet pumpkin’ in Brazilian.”
“But you’ve been calling me that since—” She shakes her head as if trying to remember.
“Junior year, homeroom.” Back when I still believed in love and thought Penny was the definition of it personified. Before life showed me that nothing lasts, least of all love. Still, it’s nice to think back on the memories. “That’s when I discovered you smelled like pumpkin even in the spring.”
Penny tries to hide her face behind her hands. “Oh God.”
Chuckling, I reach across the table and tug on her hand so that she looks right at me. “I loved it. Since then, the smell has always reminded me of home. Anyway,” I say quickly, “if you’d prefer me to use pumpkin in front of everyone, I can.”
“No,” she whispers.
“So xuxuzinho is okay?” I ask, still a little unsure.
She flushes brighter and my chest warms. Fuck. I need to move this conversation on. “So tell me about today’s lesson?”
Penny’s eyes dance as she reaches under the table and pulls out a deep purple notebook.
“Well, I’ve put together a list of everything you need to know about romance. I’ve broken it down by subject and think we should be able to cover all of it over the next eight weeks.”
“That’s impressive.”
“And borderline obsessive,” she admits. “But I don’t have much going on other than this store and dating you, sooo…” She smacks her lips together as she pushes the book in my direction.
“I guess I have my reading cut out for me this week.”
“That…” She smiles. “And planning a date.”
“Oh?”
“Well, the most important thing for romance readers is that they can watch our characters get to know, and eventually fall for, each other. And where does that normally happen? Dates.”
My lips quirk up. This means more time spent with Penny and more time living. Which is where I’m getting the real inspiration for my book, anyway.
“Okay, so you want me to plan a date for us. I can do that.”
She nods her head. “I can help. I mean, I can give you some ideas of things I like and—”
I hold up a hand. I don’t need any help in this department. When it comes to knowing what Penny Darling likes, I intend to become an expert.
“How about you leave the date planning up to me. Consider it a test?”
Penny’s eyes dance. “Okay, Montgomery. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.”