A little bell above the door jingles when we step inside, and the world outside goes quiet. Inside, it smells like matcha, vanilla candles, and freshly cracked books.
Beams of sunrays spill through the front windows, catching the lavender glow of her neon signs. Shelves runfloor to ceiling, stocked with fresh spines, and I can hear music thumping low, John Summit, her obsession.
And of course, Carter is here.
You really think he’d go anywhere without his wife?
He’s sitting on a lavender velvet chair in the corner, arms crossed over his chest, black cowboy hat low, sipping something green and absolutely judging me.
“Get in any more trouble?” he mutters as I walk past.
I blink. “Are you stalking me?”
Carter scoffs, sipping on his iced matcha that I’m sure his wife got him onto.
“I thought you were too busy getting your dick sucked to check your texts.” I fire back, slapping his knee to piss him off.
“Still managed to read them while she was on her knees,” Carter says without a single flicker of expression. “You’re lucky I’m too busy to ask why she’s even here with you.”
“You’re lucky I haven’t shoved a broomstick up your?—”
“Hi, boys!” Catalina chirps from behind the counter, sliding a matcha toward Amelia. “Let’s not traumatize the customers today, yeah?”
“Sorryyyy,” I call out to Catalina, blowing her a kiss just to watch Carter twitch.
Carter’s chair scrapes back hard enough to make the floorboards groan, and before I can duck, his palm smacks the back of my head. “That’s my wife you fuck.”
“Ow!” I yelp, clutching my head dramatically, spinning toward him.“Jesus, possessive much? You gonna piss on her next, big guy?”
His glare could kill. “Say that again, and I’ll send you crashing through the damn bookshelf.”
I grin, leaning an elbow on the counter. “Relax, bro. Imeannn, if she ever gets tired of your grumpy ass, I can make her laugh.”
Carter takes a threatening step closer. “Maverick.”
“Y’know, women love humor. Big smiles. Dimples. Which, unlucky for you, I’ve got in spades.” I flash him my best panty-melting grin just to watch his vein pop.
Catalina, bless her chaotic little heart, hides a laugh behind her hand. “Mav, stop.”
“Oh no, let him keep talking, darlin’” Carter growls, his jaw clenching. “So I have an excuse to beat his ass in front of my wife.”
“Beat me up? Please. I’m the golden child. Mama liked me best,” I shoot back, ducking just in time as Carter swings at me again.
He misses, just barely, and I can’t help but laugh. “Jesus, man, all this testosterone and nowhere to put it. Catalina, maybe you should take him home for a quick?—”
“Maverick!” Carter snaps, his face turning red.
“What?” I spread my hands innocently. “I’m just looking out for your marriage, bro. It’s called family support.”
Carter’s big hand pushes on my shoulder. Not enough to hurt me, but enough to start a brotherly fight. Naturally, I shove him back. Within seconds, we’re grappling with each other. I’ve got his hat in my hand, and he’s trying to grab it from my grasp.
Catalina’s doubled over, laughing so hard tears are coming down her face.
Amelia’s standing beside her, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Oh my God, both of you are grown ass men.”
She mutters something to Catalina, and the two of them slip toward the back of the store, leaving me and Carter tangled up on the floor like absolute morons.
Carter finally shoves off me and sits up, chest heaving, his scowl carved even deeper than before. “Whatever scheme you’ve got going on, don’t drag my wife into your mess.”
