Wesley
yeah, sure. Whatever she needs
that’s gotta be a good story
Me
I bet
Wesley
is she coming now?
Me
no, in a few hours
Wes is amazing. Every day I’m with him is better than the last. Being with him is a fantasy. Being loved by him is everything.
Wesley
Calliope
Me
yes?
Wesley
when are you going to be home? I miss you and now we’ve got a guest coming soon
Me
just dropping off some book page art at Brutal Reads, then I’ll head home
Wesley
I’m dying for you
Then he sends me a picture, which is a selfie of him lying back on our bed, one hand tucked behind his head, his impeccable triceps and gorgeous abs on full display, a blank slate between the beautiful tattoo artistry on his arms. I click on the picture, then zoom in, scanning every inch of his body on display, heat washing over me. His eyes are hooded, and the look he’s giving the camerasteals my breath.
Me
I’m hurrying
I slide my phone back into my pocket and continue walking until I get to Brutal Reads. The inside of the bookstore is cozy and warm, and the bookseller looks up from his spot at the register. He’s got a paperback open and closes it when he sees me approach with the shoebox. The book he’s reading has a cartoon cover with a couple kissing, but I’m betting there’s some spice between those covers. A man who reads romance novels? Maybe I should try to set him up with Lola and get a rival bookstore owner love story going.
Lola was so happy when I told her I’m staying in Maine. She screamed and threw her arms around my neck. I didn’t share the whole story of what happened, of course. Jake didn’t jump up and down or cheer, but I could see the relief in his eyes. My brother and I have work to do on our relationship, but I’m happy I’ll be around to do it.
“Callie, hello.” Finn slides off his chair, and his cute dog lifts his head from the ground to watch our interaction, tail wagging.
“Hey, Finn. I brought the items we talked about the other day.”
“That’s grand, let’s have a look.” Finn’s Irish accent is charming, and he seems like a good guy.
I reach in to grab the book page art I created since impulsively stopping in last week and word vomiting to him about my hobby.
“Here’s a hedgehog.” I pull out the animal creation made out of the pages of an old romance novel. “I thought it’d be cute. I can make other animals, larger or smaller.”
