Chapter 9
NINE
LAINEY
With only a short amount of time left to prep before the Ballgowns for Books benefit next weekend, it’s crunch time. I’m getting excited to see all of my planning come together, but also nervous that there’s only a little over a week left to get it done.
Before I was worried no one would come, but after tickets sold out two days ago with Alex’s help, now I face the pressure of making an incredible night to remember.
I have my notes for the dance open on my stock cart while I add more books to the display for the new romance release.
The one Alex has been buddy reading with me. My face flushes.
Technically I’ve already finished. I stayed up through the night when I first got it and read it cover to cover. I’ve read two more books since then. He insists that he’ll be done by this weekend even though I told him he didn’t have to.
I still can’t believe he’s reading it. The thought of his reactions to the spicy parts keep me up at night, leaving me hot and bothered when I think—fantasize—of him doing any of the sexy things the hero in the book does.
No one has to know that I’ve imagined his thumb tracing my lips before swooping down for a knee-weakening kiss, or his big hands dipping beneath my skirt to explore my body, or whispering praise in my ear that would leave me swooning.
Or hoisting me into his arms, pinning my back to the wall, and encouraging me to wrap my legs around his waist while he—
“Lainey.”
I almost jump out of my skin. Whipping around to face Mr. Derby, I adjust my glasses self-consciously.
“Yes?” I squeak.
Hopefully he can’t tell I’m blushing. Or what I was thinking about. That would be so weird.
The fondness in his weathered expression reminds me of my dad. “Once you’re done with that restock, you can take your break.”
I wipe away invisible dust from my maxi skirt and tug the sleeves of my thick sweater over my hands just for something to do with them. Even though I’ve grown used to working here, the habitual urge to do something with my hands is difficult to break.
“Okay. Thanks. Oh!” He turns back before leaving. “I was wondering if you have any old photos of the store.”
“Sure. What for?”
“I had an idea to do a display about the history of the store in Heston Lake for the benefit. I thought it might help garner more interest in preserving it by encouraging people to support a family-owned business.”
Mr. Derby gives me a wobbly smile. “Thank you, Lainey. For your hard work and for believing in this place.”
I return his smile with a bright one of my own. “Of course. This is my happy place.”
“I’ll go see about those photos.”
“That’s one more thing to check off,” I murmur to myself in satisfaction.
Leaning over my cart, I tick the box on my list for the photos. I wheel it out of the way as a customer strolls in and pauses by the display. In the back, I tuck my notebook into my bag, then grab my phone and wallet.
There are several texts waiting for me. One’s from Maya a few minutes ago asking if I’m taking a break soon because she’s on her way to get coffee next door. The rest are all from Alex. I flatten a hand over my stomach as butterflies rush through it.
Alex
I was just thinking of you. Have a good day at work.
Alex
My morning class was hell to sit through. The lecture was legit about to put me to sleep. I stayed up too late reading. No regrets
Alex
I’m on my way to the gym for a workout with Theo.
Biting my lip, I reply to Maya and hurry out of the bookstore before I read too much into his texts. He’s being friendly. That’s all.
Maya already has a drink waiting for me when I get to Clocktower Brew House. She waves from the mismatched armchairs by the window where we like to people watch. I weave through the busy coffee shop to join her.
“Hey,” she greets over the rim of her latte.
“Thanks for the coffee.” I sink into the cushy chair.
She uses a peppermint stick to stir her drink. “No problem. Oh, I heard back from Justine with approval for the classes we picked for my summer semester. She agreed with you that it was a good call.”
“That’s great. It’s such a relief to know your schedule is all sorted, right?”
“Totally. With your help roadmapping it, I feel way better about tackling my credits in three years.”
“You’ve got this.” We share a smile. “I wish planning this benefit was as easy as it is to create the perfect class schedule.”
“You’ve done a great job. I seriously wish I could be there to see it all finished. You’d better send me pictures.”
My shoulders slump. “I will. It won’t be the same without you there.”
She was the first person I worked up the courage to invite, but she has plans to visit home for the weekend to see her family. Since I’ve known her, I’ve rarely seen her go home and I know it’s important to her to visit her grandfather.
“It’s going to be amazing. You’re going to have such a good night.”
I shift my gaze to the window, murmuring, “I hope so.”
Maya waves to someone she knows as I finish off my coffee. I check the time on my phone to make sure I’m not taking too long of a break.
Just as the screen lights up, I get a text from Alex. It’s a post-gym selfie that leaves me breathless when I open it. He’s shirtless, flexing his bicep. His muscles are glistening and he’s giving the camera a brazen grin that ignites heat in my core.
Alex
What do you think? Did I train hard enough?
Alex
I’ve got to up my game if the guys in books are all like this Wyatt dude. Don’t worry, I’m confident if you’re ever stuck in a burning barn I’m strong enough to carry you. Easy.
A flush spreads over my cheeks.
“What’s got you smiling like that?” Maya asks.
“Wh—no one,” I blurt.
Her eyes widen. Crap.
“Nothing,” I correct.
“So it’s a someone?” The corners of her eyes crinkle. “Do I know them? If not, I totally want to meet them. We should all hang out for coffee.”
What I would give to have confidence like hers. She enjoys meeting new people, and she’s great at talking to them. I watch her make new friends regularly.
If I was more like her instead of shy and anxious, maybe Alex might actually like a nerd like me.
But we’re only pretending.
Before Maya can ask anything else, someone claps their hands down on my shoulder and leans around me.
“I thought that was you. Hey girl!” Candace beams, giving me a little shake.
“Hi,” I manage.
“It’s so great to run into you. Hi,” she says to Maya. “I’m Candace.”
“Maya. Nice to meet you.”
Candace perches on the arm of my seat, balancing her to-go cup and a croissant while she searches through her purse for her phone. “Oh my god, I have to show you the dress I found for next weekend. My sorority sisters are in love with it. It’s so perfect!”
“I can’t stay. I’m on my break, but I should probably get back to the bookstore,” I admit apologetically. “It’s just me and Mr. Derby in today, so I don’t want to leave him by himself for too long.”
She waves me off. “Oh, no worries at all. I’ll text it to you instead.”
Since giving her my number, she’s invited me on coffee runs with her and she asked for some recommendations to get started reading romance.
“Um. If you’re not busy, you could come with me. If you want.” I rise to my feet, twisting the cuffs of my sweater between my fingers. “I’ve got a list of books for you.”
She lights up. “The romance recs? Yes! That’s perfect.”
“I mean, you don’t have to read the whole list. It’s pretty ambitious. But you asked for where to start reading, and I got kinda carried away.”
“I’ll walk back with you, too,” Maya says. “Reagan sent me on a mission to get that new cowboy release.”
The three of us make our way through the coffee shop.
On our way out, Candace giggles. “You know, I think this is the most you’ve said to me so far. So the way to your heart is books, got it.”
I think this means we’re friends. I never would’ve expected this when we first met at the hockey game. I glance between her and Maya. The corners of Maya’s eyes crinkle with her smile. She gives me a thumbs up.
A spark of happiness expands my chest. I tell Candace about the books I included on the list on the short walk to the shop, adding more options off the top of my head when she responds with her own bubbly enthusiasm.
For once it feels easy to connect with someone unexpected.