“You’ve done a great job. I seriously wish I could be there to see it all finished. You’d better send me pictures.”
My shoulders slump. “I will. It won’t be the same without you there.”
She was the first person I worked up the courage to invite, but she has plans to visit home for the weekend to see her family. Since I’ve known her, I’ve rarely seen her go home and I know it’s important to her to visit her grandfather.
“It’s going to be amazing. You’re going to have such a good night.”
I shift my gaze to the window, murmuring, “I hope so.”
Maya waves to someone she knows as I finish off my coffee. I check the time on my phone to make sure I’m not taking too long of a break.
Just as the screen lights up, I get a text from Alex. It’s a post-gym selfie that leaves me breathless when I open it. He’s shirtless, flexing his bicep. His muscles are glistening and he’s giving the camera a brazen grin that ignites heat in my core.
Alex
What do you think? Did I train hard enough?
Alex
I’ve got to up my game if the guys in books are all like this Wyatt dude. Don’t worry, I’m confident if you’re ever stuck in a burning barn I’m strong enough to carry you. Easy.
A flush spreads over my cheeks.
“What’s got you smiling like that?” Maya asks.
“Wh—no one,” I blurt.
Her eyes widen. Crap.
“Nothing,” I correct.
“So it’s a someone?” The corners of her eyes crinkle. “Do I know them? If not, I totally want to meet them. We should all hang out for coffee.”
What I would give to have confidence like hers. She enjoys meeting new people, and she’s great at talking to them. I watch her make new friends regularly.
If I was more like her instead of shy and anxious, maybe Alex might actually like a nerd like me.
But we’re only pretending.
Before Maya can ask anything else, someone claps their hands down on my shoulder and leans around me.
“I thought that was you. Hey girl!” Candace beams, giving me a little shake.
“Hi,” I manage.
“It’s so great to run into you. Hi,” she says to Maya. “I’m Candace.”
“Maya. Nice to meet you.”
Candace perches on the arm of my seat, balancing her to-go cup and a croissant while she searches through her purse for her phone. “Oh my god, I have to show you the dress I found for next weekend. My sorority sisters are in love with it. It’s so perfect!”
“I can’t stay. I’m on my break, but I should probably get back to the bookstore,” I admit apologetically. “It’s just me and Mr. Derby in today, so I don’t want to leave him by himself for too long.”
She waves me off. “Oh, no worries at all. I’ll text it to you instead.”
Since giving her my number, she’s invited me on coffee runs with her and she asked for some recommendations to get started reading romance.
“Um. If you’re not busy, you could come with me. If you want.” I rise to my feet, twisting the cuffs of my sweater between my fingers. “I’ve got a list of books for you.”
