“I’ve been wanting to go to the Alondra Valley,” I said. “I hear they have the cutest bookstore, Bibliolater. They host an annual Meghan Hart celebration day.”
“It definitely sounds right up your alley.” Georgia grinned. “I assume you’re going to read her upcoming release with Penelope Glass.”
“I—” I bit my lip and glanced away. “I sort of already did.”
“What?” Her eyes bulged. “How? It’s not even out yet.”
“Yeah,” Kylie chimed in, leaning her hip against the counter. “How did you manage that? I tried to get a few copies for some of my clients for promo purposes without success.”
I toed the floor with my slides. “It was a gift.”
“From whom?” Kylie leaned forward, clearly intrigued.
Georgia’s wineglass scarcely concealed her knowing grin. “I have a pretty good idea who.”
Kylie and Logan turned to her, then the three of them turned to me. “Frasier might have given me an advance copy.”
“Shut. Up.” Kylie stared at me as if to assess whether I was telling the truth. When I laughed nervously, she said, “Oh my god. You’re serious.”
“Yep.” I went to get it from my room, where it had pride of place on my nightstand even though I’d already finished reading it.
Kylie’s eyes widened when I returned with the book in hand. “Holy shit.” I handed it to her, and she opened the inside andpaused when she came to the inscription. “And they signed it too? And wrote a personalized note?”
I nodded. On the flight home, I’d learned that Frasier had asked his agent to give Meghan Hart and Penelope Glass a handwritten letter telling them why the book was so important to me. Apparently, they’d been touched by the story and excited about the signed jersey he’d offered in return. He’d specifically asked them to write what they had. It made it even more special.
“I’d ask to borrow this,” Kylie said, watching my expression. “But I’m guessing you’d say no.”
“I thought you preordered a copy,” I said, reluctant to part with it. Any other book—signed or not—sure. A book was meant to be read and enjoyed. But this one was special.
“I did.” She sighed. “It should be here any day now. But we’re getting off topic.” She arched one eyebrow. “What’s up with you and Frasier?”
“Yeah. I’m surprised Frasier isn’t helping with your latest project.” Georgia glanced around as if waiting for him to appear.
I laughed. “Way to be subtle, G. And no, Frasier’s not here.”
We’d been inseparable since the trip to Anguilla, and now it felt strange to be without him. Part of me was scared by how quickly I’d become attached to him. And the other part couldn’t wait to see him again.
He’d spent every night here for the past week, but he’d gone home early this morning to catch up on laundry and check in on the situation with his brother. Plus, he knew I was hanging out with the girls tonight, so he planned to come over tomorrow. Since it was only for one night, we’d figured Bacon and Biscuit would be more comfortable here. And I was more than happy to keep them with me.
“Can you blame me for asking?” Georgia lifted a shoulder. “He practically lives here.”
“Ha-ha,” I deadpanned. It wasn’t the first time our friends had said something to that effect, but it definitely hit different this time.
Frasier didn’t live here, but would he want to? If we kept dating, would he want to move in together? And would he want to live here or at his place or somewhere else entirely? Would I be okay sharing the home Derek and I had made with another man? Conversely, would I be okay selling it and letting it go?
Whoa.I shook my head as if to clear it. I was getting ahead of myself.
“You guys do share two dogs.” Logan popped a piece of prosciutto into her mouth.
I couldn’t argue with that. so instead, I carried the charcuterie board into the living room. Everyone grabbed something as the dogs followed us. Logan sank to the floor, and Bacon immediately climbed into her lap. Georgia sat on the couch, and Kylie and I joined her.
I imagined what it would be like to enjoy the charcuterie in my garden. I wanted to get a large retractable screen and a projector. I envisioned lounging out there on a quilt, watching movies or even hockey games. The preseason was starting soon, and it seemed overly optimistic to think I could have it done in time. But maybe I could finish before the season kicked off.
“Okay, So...” Georgia leaned in. “I’ve been dying to hear all about what happened at your sister’s wedding. You told me we had a lot to catch up on, and I could—and have—read a million possibilities into that after the whole ‘only one bed’ in a romantic bungalow situation.”
“She definitely has,” Logan muttered darkly. “Trust me.”
“Wait.” Kylie furrowed her brow. “I knew Frasier was going with you to the wedding as your plus-one, but…did something happen between the two of you?”
