“Okay, fine. I ran into him and Charlie while I was out a few years ago. It was totally random. But it sort of turned into something. I felt…I don’t know. We’ve only gotten together like three times, but I didn’t want you to feel left out or cheated on.”
She’s right. That’s exactly how I feel. My best friend is cheating on me with my nemesis.
“He just brings out this obsessive side of you, and you were starting the store around that time, so letting you know I saw Dorian McConkie, of all people, was the exact last thing you needed to know. And then it just became…like, easier not to say anything. But honestly, we’ve grabbed brunch twice.”
“Three times.” My fingers trace the armrest of the sofa.
“Well, that first time was out downtown, and it was an accident. Doesn’t count.” I hear her blinker, and she sighs. “How do you know, anyway?”
Elena knows about D.M. James choosing my store for a signing, so she must not be aware that he’s also Dorian. Man,that guy really has his pen name under wraps. “He came into the store,” I say honestly.
She hollers like a cowgirl at a rodeo. “What?! Did you chase him out?”
“No.” My cheeks heat, and I feel overwhelmingly defensive. “It was…we were cordial. It’s been a long time since college. We’ve both grown.”
“I don’t know. By graduation, you couldn’t stand to be in the same room as him.”
When I think about the last time we were in the same room together before the signing, it was at our graduation party, and neither of us were running away. Until we were.
My body gives an involuntary shudder. “Anyway, he’s still writing, so I roped him into helping with a few things around here. But only for a few weeks.”
Elena’s car turns off, and she closes the door with a thunk. “Try not to hurt him. Those creative types can be more sensitive than they appear.”
He appears rock solid, so that makes me wonder what she knows that I don’t. “I doubt we’ll even be around each other all that much. He probably just wants to make a few bucks.”
“Gotcha.” Elena gasps. “Hi, baby!”
Her attention has officially shifted. “Give Harper a hug for me.”
“Will do. Want to come over for dinner this weekend?”
“Sure. Let me know what to bring.”
“If I get my act together enough to know what I’m making, I will.”
“Friday. I’ll make breadsticks and the Alfredo that Harper loves. You do the pasta and salad.”
“Done. I love it when you take charge. See you this weekend.” She hangs up, and I lower my phone, leaning back against the seat.
I don’t really blame Elena for keeping those things from me. I’ve texted her every day since Dorian’s book signing and never mentioned that he was the author. But what would I say?Dorian came into the shop, and now I can’t think about anything else. Oh, and also, have you seen his forearms?Why do I think they’re hot? What do I do if he shows up at class tomorrow in short sleeves?
I’m like a Victorian man getting my first glimpse of an ankle.
Except it’s the twenty-first century, and I look at men’s arms every day.
I drop my face into my hands and groan. Heaven help me.
seven
dorian
My phone has been blowingup all afternoon. The McConkie sibling group chat is going wild over the recent discovery that our youngest sister got into culinary school in New York City, which is crazy since none of us knew she even wanted to learn to cook. But what’s even more insane is that we have to be okay with her leaving Nashville and living in a huge city on her own.
Luke
Should I move to New York, too? I could be a bodyguard.
Carrie
