She was already dragging me toward the back room where we held the book club.
Courtney, Jane, and Pearl arrived next, filing in with their usual chatter and bags of snacks. I started setting up the folding chairs and arranging the books we’d be discussing tonight while they settled in.
Then I peeked my head out into the main store just in time to see Annie Bishop walk through the door.
My heart clenched.
Annie was beautiful in that effortless way that made other women feel inadequate. She was chubby like me, but taller, with dark hair that fell in perfect waves past her shoulders. She had a personality that bubbled like champagne.
She was very, very single.
And she was looking atmyFlint with obvious interest.
I watched as she walked over to the register, leaning against the counter in a way that showed off her cleavage. Flint said something to her, and she laughed, touching his arm lightly.
He seemed friendly. Open. Not pulling away like he did with the other women this morning.
Something cold twisted in my stomach as I remembered Sawyer.
That’s when I realized I was delusional.
I’d thought Sawyer was falling in love with me when, actually, he was just hooking up. And Flint would be the same way. I was already thinking we had aconnection, but he wouldn’t be talking to her like that if it were true, right? Right?
I turned away as my heart dropped to my toes and focused on arranging the chairs with more force than necessary.
“Avery!” Pearl called out. “Is that man out there single? Because my friend would just love him.”
“I don’t know his relationship status,” I said tightly.
“Well, find out!” Jane chimed in. “For research purposes.”
Jane was the biggest gossip in town after Martha Ellis. I’d tell hernothingabout Flint.
“Speaking of research,” Becky said, settling into her chair with a knowing look, “are mountain men allowed back in now? Because if so—”
“Absolutelynot,” I hissed as I straightened a stack of books on the backstock shelf with sharp movements. “Banned forlife. I’ll never forget what happened that night.”
“Forgetwhathappened?” Flint’s voice rumbled right behind me, and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
He was standing in the doorway, his broad shoulders filling the frame.
All the ladies burst into laughter.
“Oh, youhaveto tell him!” Gwen clapped her hands together. “This is too good.”
“Avery swore off mountain men,” Becky announced helpfully. “After the Sawyer incident. But maybeyou’llbe able to change her mind.”
“Becky!” I felt my face flush bright pink. “That hasnothingto do with the book club ruckus!”
“What?” she shrugged, “He asked.”
Flint’s hazel eyes hadn’t left my face. “The Sawyer incident? Book Club Ruckus?”
Becky said, “Some of the men around here decided to invade the Mountain Man Book Club one Valentine’s Day. They gave us all a little strip tease until Avery here chased them out of the store.”
Amusement settled on his face. “And the Sawyer Incident?”
“I’ll tell you later,” I squeaked out.
