“Eh, who knows? We’re seeing each other again tonight, but I’m not thinking beyond that. Maybe I can get him to fuck my throat.”
Eve’s eyes become unfocused, and I watch with amusement as the flush on her face creeps down her neck and chest.
“Girl, I hate to say it, but I think you’ve got it bad for the bookshop boy.” When I can’t stop laughing, she slaps my arm. “What? I’m happy for you, even if it is only sex. I guess I’ll just have to be happy with my filthy dreams until I find someone worthwhile.”
“Oh, filthy dreams, you say? I want every nasty little detail!” Eve leans over the counter and places her head in her hands.
“It just felt so real. I mean, even though I haven’t technically been with a man yet, it’s not like I don’t know how to get myself off. But this orgasm was fucking earth-shattering. My sheets were wet, E.”
The dream rushes back with hazy edges, clinging like I never fully woke up.
It’s too vivid to pretend it didn’t happen.
Except I can. Because Louie would’ve lost her mind if someone was actually out there.
So. It didn’t happen. Probably.
“Aurora,” Eve sighs, dramatically placing a hand over her heart. “Still holding out like a gothic Jane Austen heroine? I’m both proud and deeply concerned.”
“Northanger Abbeybarely counts, and you know it. But I’ll let it slide because you’re cute when you go full Regency heroine.” I roll my eyes and curse my Irish roots when heat blooms across my face. “Whatever. It’s not a big deal. I’m not saving my virginity for anything. I just haven’t found someone worth it yet. I need some sort of spark before I can even consider sleeping with someone.”
Eve smiles and places a hand on my arm. “I get it, and I respect your decision. I would never push you into anything you didn’t want to do. But I worry about your lofty expectations. I know the type of books you read on your Kindle and the fantasies you have of sweeping romances and all-night fuck fests, but reality is a little different. I just don’t want you to miss out on anything.”
Ouch. I appreciate her words, even if they sting a little.
“Wait, what about you and Thane last night? And tonight? Tell me that’s not like something out of a spicy romance!”
Eve smirks and we both burst into loud giggles.
“Aury,” she groans, fanning herself like she’s about to combust, “last night gave ‘epilogue with a breeding kink.’”
I open my mouth to respond, but the bell over the door jingles as our first customers of the day stroll in.
Without missing a beat, Eve greets the woman and her two dogs like she didn’t just whisper “breeding kink” in public before breakfast.
The morning flies by in a rush of backpacks, water filtration systems, and freeze-dried meals. A few hours into my shift, Eve approaches me and shoves a slip of paper into my hand.
“I didn’t want to say anything until I confirmed with a friend, but there’s this guy who’s new in town. I thought you two might hit it off. That’s his number if you want to call or text him.”
Eve’s voice stays hopeful, her eyes scanning the shop like she’s not casually rewriting the entire trajectory of my existence between sales.
“I mean, no pressure! His name is Jameson, and he just moved here from the city, too, looking for a fresh start. I don’t know much more than that, but I figured it couldn’t hurt to give you his number and let you decide. Unless you’re holding out for a certain Victorian sex panther who’s very into books to sweep you off your feet,” Eve says with a wink and a big, cheesy grin.
“Oh, thanks, Eve,” I say, chewing on a fingernail while I stare down at the string of numbers on the small piece of paper.
Between my dream and the strange shit from last night, maybe it’s a good idea to do something normal like go on a date. It might be nice to indulge in some food, wine, and friendly conversation.
Who knows? Maybe Jameson’s exactly the kind of aggressively normal guy I need to pretend my life isn’t on fire.
“You know what? I’m going to text him right now. Will you help me?”
I’m determined to get out of my comfort zone, and a date with an absolute stranger is a good way to ease into it. I mean, isn’t that how most sweeping romances start?
Eve chuckles and lets out a sigh of relief. “Hell yeah, I’ll help you! Let’s do this!”
As I add Jameson to my contacts, something cold licks at the back of my neck.
Just nerves. Probably.
