“I’ll see you then.” I wink at her, then pull my hood over my head as I trudge out into the rain.
Chapter Three
Barbie
“You’re looking cute.” Kayla pushes herself onto the checkout counter, making herself right at home. I move my books out of her way so she doesn’t knock them on the floor. I don’t have long until I have to close up for the night.
“Thanks.” I smooth the front of my skirt down. I haven’t worn it in forever because there was never a reason. “Where have you been?” I haven’t seen her for a few days, but that’s how Kayla operates. She’s here one second and gone the next. My eyes flick to the front door. I didn’t hear the bell go off when she came in. It might be broken.
“Don’t change the subject. Why are you all dressed up?”
“Maybe I want to look nice.”
“You’ve got makeup on.”
“It’s just lip gloss and mascara.” I’m terrible at doing my makeup and Kayla might as well be a professional. I think it has to do with her wicked art skills. I’m lucky I’ve got good skin and don’t have to wear any for the most part.
“Give it up.” She pushes down the front of my book to look at what I’m reading.
I blush, not because I’m reading a steamy romance, but because I’m reading a story about a man who falls in love with an adorable bookstore owner. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but when I came across it this morning I couldn’t help but peek inside, which led to me reading most of it in one day. If we hadn’t been so busy today I would have already finished it.
“I have a date,” I finally admit.
I haven’t been on a date in forever, and the last time I tried, it ended terribly. I swear I always end up trapped with the worst men. Lately I’ve been sticking to my bookstore and it’s filled the time just fine. That was until the mystery hero walked in my shop. Now I can’t get him off my mind.
“A date! With who?” she gasps. “I’ve lived in this place my whole life and I know every single person, so you better spill it.”
“I don’t know his name.” I cover my face with my hands.
I was too distracted by other things to think about something like that. The man was built like a truck with his wide size and hulking arms and legs. He reminded me of Paul Bunyan with his beard and how he towered over me. I’m just thankful he sent Mr. Cocky running for the hills. That guy wasn’t even the good kind of cocky, the kind that knows what he’s doing and is confident in himself. He was straight-up full of himself and it was obnoxious.
“You can’t go out with someone whose name you don’t know.” Kayla shakes her head at me. “Life is not a book, Barbie. He could be a killer.”
“And life is not a crime documentary.” I give her a pointed look.
“Hey, those are based on real stories. I’m not knocking your books because you know I love a good love story, but we have to stay in reality when it comes to stuff like this.”
“I know.” I let out a long sigh. “But he was a hero.” I rest my chin on my hands, disappointed because I know I should cancel this date.
“Okay, spill the whole story,” she demands, and I give her the play-by-play of what happened. Once I’m finished I realize she’s leaning in with a dreamy look in her eyes and she blinks a few times before she sits up. “Okay, wow, that was some real-life romance stuff.”
“See! He could tell I was completely uncomfortable with the situation and he swooped right in.” I smile thinking about it. Still, Kayla is right. I didn’t know the guy’s name and he didn’t leave a number.
I’ve been wondering for two days if he’s really going to show up tonight and the anticipation has been driving me crazy. It’s been the longest two days of my life, but at least I’ve been busy. The coffee idea has actually been working and my customers have been steady. One woman quietly told me she heard about my shop from her knitting group. Word has started to spread and I hope it keeps moving along. It’s made me feel so happy and excited for the first time in forever.
“Describe him to me. I’ll probably know his name.”
“He has short dark hair, a dark beard, thick thighs, and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He—”
“Are you describing a book hero?” When she cuts me off I roll my eyes at her.
“He wasn’t a millionaire. He was in, like, normal work clothes, I think.”
His jeans were practically painted onto his thighs, and I could see every muscle. What is wrong with me? All I can think about are his thighs and those blue eyes. Eyes I got lost in for far too long. Every inch of his body looked big and solid like he could have bent me over and…okay, I might be reading too much.