I really have missed being a part of a group of female friends.
“Looking hot as always,” Lexi adds.
“I’m just wearing a hoodie and jeans,” I respond, laughing. The plan is to get coffee and go to Mira’s favorite local romance bookstore so we can pick out something to read all together. Our own little book club.
I can’t wait.
“It doesn’t matter what you wear,” Isla says, waving her hand to dismiss my statement. “You always look hot. Friends always tell you when you’re looking gorgeous. And you’re all looking gorgeous.”
“You too, my lovely sister-in-law,” Mira sing-songs.
Shaking my head, I chuckle as we pull out into traffic and make the short drive to the bookstore. I’ve been wanting to go ever since Mira told me the story of how Griffin took her one day and let her pick out as many books as she could carry. Then added a few extras for good measure.
Also, where can I get a man who will do that for me? Because, yes, please.
It’s a Love Story sits nestled inside a cute brick building. The sign is pink, with this pretty, loopy script font, and the walls inside match. It’ssomuch pink. But I love it. It’s cheerful and inviting, and every nook provides the perfect place to take a cute selfie. Which several teenage girls are doing in the corner of the store.
The walls are covered corner-to-corner in shelves packed full of romance novels. There’s romantasy, paranormal, mafia, sports… hell, there’s even a section titledstalker romance.
I could spend all day in a place like this.
“I love this place,” Mira says, bouncing on the balls of her feet as her eyes scan the space. “I think it’s time I bribe Griffin into another shopping trip.”
“Like you’d have to bribe him,” Lexi says, rolling her eyes as she chuckles. “Pretty sure his romance collection is just as big as yours. And Iknowthat man likes to act scenes out with you.”
A flare of longing lances through my chest, but I push it back. Good for Mira to have found someone like that. I’m happy for her. I just… I wish someone would take an interest in me and what I love that same way.
“Oh, he totally does. And he reads me spicy scenes when they’re on the road. It always gets us in the mood for video sex.”
These women are so open with each other and with me, and I’m still getting used to it after so many years without any strong friendships. Not that this is uncommon for women—my friendsand I had no filters in high school or college either—but I’ve gotten used to being a bit more reserved with Reed around.
“I wonder if I could get Ryder to do that with me,” Lexi muses. “He’s so sweet, but he’s also hot as hell in bed.” She studies the rows of shelves, an impish glint in her eyes. “Maybe something off the stalker shelf…”
We all giggle at that, and those giggles turn into full-blown laughter when Lexi pulls a book off the shelf, reads the blurb on the back, and nods with wide eyes.
“Yep. This should do.”
“So what kind of book do we want to read for our first Hockey Honeys Book Club?” Isla asks, her fingers skimming across rows of colorful spines.
“Is that really what we’re calling it?” Lexi asks.
“Have a better idea?”
Lexi tilts her head to the side, thinking. After a few beats, she shakes her head. “Nope. That works.”
I don’t bring up the fact that I’m not really aHockey Honey. They’ve adopted me into their group, but I’m not a girlfriend or a wife. Even if I did say something, they’d probably just tell me not to be ridiculous.
“Good, then if that’s settled, what do we want to read?” Isla asks again. “Hockey romance?”
“Really?” Mira giggles. “Like we don’t get enough hockey romance?”
“I’ve never read any,” I admit. My three friends turn to me so slowly, it’s like something out of a horror movie, and I don’t know if I should laugh or be afraid. Their eyes are comically wide, and Mira’s mouth is actually hanging open.
“Are. You. Serious?” she asks.
“I used to be a big reader,” I admit. “But after I got custody of Reed, I didn’t have much time. Now that he’s a teenager, I’m starting to have a little more free time, but I’m lucky if I canfinish a book a month. And until I started this job, hockey wasn’t on my radar.”
Isla nods. “That makes sense. We should try one for our first book. And who knows, maybe you’ll learn something about hockey?”
