I already want her.
I hate having a sister sometimes. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Do you like her?”
My heart aches, the pain making me want to rub my chest. “A lot,” I admit in a low voice, and she shakes her head.
“I think she likes you a lot too.” I shrug, and she smacks my arm. “Why didn’t you kiss her when you guys took Kip on the walk?”
I close the gate behind us. “I wanted to, but I got nervous. The first kiss is a lot of pressure.”
“Yeah, so get it out of the way. You’re thirty-three, not sixteen.”
Maggie makes me feel sixteen, but I keep that tidbit close to my heart.
“Really? Damn, I didn’t know,” I say dryly just as the door of Promise Pond Books flies open, and Maggie appears. Her hair is down, peachy-pink waves flowing behind her as she heads down the brick stairs of the shop’s porch. She has on just a sweater and jeans, not dressed for the frigid January weather. I bring in my brows since I don’t like the idea of her being cold and since I thought she’d be at her parents’ for longer.
“Holy shit. She’s prettier in person,” Tessa mutters, and I grunt.
“Yeah, she is.”
“Hey!” Maggie says happily, waving at us. “I have that loaf for you!”
My brows relax, and I smile widely at her. She’s just so damn pretty. I’m moving toward her without even a thought. I feel Tessa beside me, walking with me, and I know she’s watching me. When we arrive at the fence almost at the same time as Maggie does, she waves once more. “You must be Tessa.”
“I am,” Tessa says warily but still with a smile. She looks at me, her brow raised a bit. “And you’re Maggie Welch.”
Maggie beams, then she leans in playfully. “Does he talk about me? ’Cause he talks about you a lot.”
Tessa’s whole face brightens at that, taking my breath away as she glances up at me. “Does he now?”
I shrug, a smile pulling at my lips. “You’re an okay sister.”
“Okay sister. I’ll take that,” Tessa says with a laugh. “And I know who you are from your books. We’re both big fans.”
My whole face goes crimson. “She didn’t know that,” I mumble out the side of my mouth, trying not to look at Maggie.
My sister giggles at my expense. “Look at you, all blushing.” She goes to brush my cheeks, but I bat her hand away. Still laughing, she looks at Maggie. “He talks about you a lot too.”
“Wow. Are you done?” I mutter, and my annoying sister just beams.
“Not even kinda.”
I groan in defeat as my gaze settles on Maggie. Of course, she’s grinning from ear to ear.
“Told you I’d get the answer,” she sings with a little jig, reminding me of the first night I spent with her.
“You were right,” I say softly, holding her gaze. Her cheeks are starting to turn pink, and when she sniffs from the cold, I take off my jacket.
“Dermot, I’m fine,” she claims, but I shake my head, wrapping the coat around her. She cuddles into it and smiles. “Thank you.”
“Of course,” I say, rocking on my heels. “How was your visit with your parents?”
“Great, we had a blast. We’re planning a Galentine’s party. If you’re interested, Tessa.”
Galentine’s? I don’t know what that is, but I don’t think I like it. Tessa’s face scrunches up. “Oh, that sounds like fun. I assumed you’d spend Valentine’s with my big brother here.”
I cough on absolutely nothing before pointing to the package in Maggie’s hand. “Is that the loaf?”
