“It’s been way too long.”I pull the novel she gave Alexander the other day from my bag.“Actually, I was wondering if you’d sign this for me?”
Avery’s eyes light up.“Of course!”A flush creeps up her cheeks, and she takes the book and uncaps a pen.Her handwriting is elegant and looping as she writes on the title page:For Olivia, who always believed in me.Love, Avery.
“There,” she says, handing it back.
“I always knew you would be an author one day.”I clutch the book to my chest.“I just never realized that this pen name was yours.I have the first book in my apartment back home.”
She ducks her head, pleased but embarrassed.“I published it right after New Year’s.I wanted to tell you, but you were going through so much.”
My smile softens.“Your mom would be proud of you.I still have all the short stories we used to write together.Does anyone else?—?”
She shakes her head.“Just you and my agent.”
We fall into comfortable conversation as she shows me around the shop, pointing out new arrivals and her favorite recent additions.I browse the shelves, picking up a few books for my friends back in the city.
“So,” I say casually as I flip through a hardcover.“What about you?Any interesting developments in your love life?”
Avery snorts.“You know I’m not exactly great with people.I tried dating, but it doesn’t really stick.”
“What do you mean?”
She shrugs, running her fingers along a row of spines.“I don’t know.I go on dates, and they’re fine, but...nothing clicks.I always feel like I’m performing instead of just being myself.And then I come back here to the shop, and I’m so much happier with my books and my cats.”
“Maybe you just haven’t met the right person yet.”
“Maybe.”She doesn’t sound convinced.“Or maybe I’m just one of those people who’s meant to be alone.And honestly?I’m okay with that.”I want to argue, but I can see the contentment in her expression.She’s not lonely—she’s genuinely happy with her life the way it is.
“Well, if that changes, you know I’m here to be your wingwoman,” I say, and she laughs.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
After I’ve made my purchases, we decide to grab lunch.
“Where’s your crutch?”I ask as we bundle up.
“Noah said I don’t need it anymore.But we’ll have to walk a bit slowly.”
“Sure.”I nod, and we head down Main Street to Maggie’s Diner, the cold air biting at our cheeks.
The diner is warm and bustling, the smell of burgers and pie making my mouth water all over again despite the pancakes I ate this morning.We slide into a booth by the window, and I order a turkey club while Avery gets the lunch special.
“So,” Avery says, leaning forward with a mischievous glint in her eye.“How’s Alexander treating you?”
I nearly choke on my water.“He’s...good.Great.Really great.”
“You’re blushing.”
“I am not.”
“You absolutely are,” she laughs.“Come on, spill.When did you guys get together?I knew you thought he was attractive, but you always told me he was kind of a stick in the mud.Cold, aloof… So how did you end up dating Mr.Cold and Aloof.”
Cold and aloof?If she only knew the words this man whispered in my ear while his cock drove me to the edge of my sanity.
“He’s...”I search for words that won’t give too much away.“He’s nothing like I thought.We’ve spent six years working side by side, but I never knew him the way I do now.He’s warm and caring, and he makes me so happy.”As I utter the words, I know they’re true, and my heart trembles.
“You look happy, Olivia.”Avery smiles at me.“I’ve never seen you like this before.The way you look at him.The way he looks at you.It’s like you’re his everything.”
My mouth turns dry, but I choose not to comment on it.Avery’s smile broadens at my silence, but she doesn’t say anything further on the subject.
