Page 93 of Only and Forever
You built a community and now you have a place for it.
Even knowing the number of guys on my brothers’ soccer and hockey teams that I’ve pushed romance novels on, I’m still tryingto wrap my head around how many professional athletes were in here from their teams, from Ziggy and Charlie’s team, too, buying romance and proudly walking out into the night.
With one more hug goodbye, I see Oliver off, waving to Gavin, who gives me a tip of the chin and a wry smile before they both slip out the front door. They were the last to leave of my local family, all of whom cameagain, which meant so much, given that I already had my super-soft opening for them.
A couple of guys from the hockey team are still hanging by the sports romance section, laughing it up with their partners. Romance book club members sit on the club chairs and built-ins, leaning close, talking animatedly. A dozen people I don’t know at all browse shelves, drink in the space as they sip from their mugs, inspect scented candles, bookmarks, stickers, keychains, the tiny potted plants I decided last minute I’d sell, too, in the section at the front with bookish merchandise.
“Hey, you!” A familiar voice makes me spin around.
“Charlie!” I wrap her in a hug, and Charlie hugs me back hard. She smiles wide, her short dark hair smooth and shiny. She’s wearing a cropped electric-green tank and matching wide-leg pants. She’s glowing.
“Impending nuptials suit you, Char.”
Her smile deepens. “I love when you talk like a historical romance novel. And thank you.”
I laugh. “Thanks for coming by. You really didn’t have to.” I drop my voice. “I know you don’t love publicity. That’s part of what the super-soft opening was about, giving you and my hotshot siblings privacy. You doing okay, being here now?”
Charlie’s smile softens. “You’re sweet. That... fear of publicity, it’s something I’m working on. Baby steps, right? That’s why I’m not here long, but very happy to be here.”
“Back door is yours to use if it gets to be too much, okay?”
Charlie squeezes my arm. “Thank you, Viggo. You’re a gem. Now. I have someone for you to meet.” Turning, Charlie gently grips the elbow of someone who stands near her, leaning away and crouched for a photo with a patron. She signs a piece of paper in their hand, then smiles brightly as they dart off. It takes me a second, but finally I place her.
“This,” Charlie says, “is Nat. She’s—”
“Your goalie.” I nod. “I remember. Welcome!”
Nat is tall and strong, bleached-blond hair, tan skin, bright blue eyes. Classic SoCal looks. She radiates confidence and energy as she beams a smile my way and wraps me in a sudden hug that surprises me. “Congratulations on your grand opening!” She pulls away and laughs. “Sorry, I’m a hugger.”
“No, that’s okay.” I force a smile, confused by how unsettled I am. I don’t normally think twice about hugging or being hugged. I’m an affectionate guy, always comfortable with friendly physical touch. At least, I have been. But now I feel something odd, a tug to find Tallulah, yank her into my arms until she locks her hands around my waist, sets her cheek on my chest, and sighs. The way she has so often the past few weeks.
“Thanks for coming, Nat,” I add, realizing I’m being rudely quiet.
“Are you kidding?” she says brightly. “Iloveromance novels. When I heard Ziggy’s brother was opening a romance bookstore, I was all in. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Charlie grins. “Well, I’m going to go say hi to Tallulah. I’ll leave you to it.”
A frown tugs at my mouth. I’m a bit perplexed by Charlie off-loading her teammate on me. It’s almost like she’s... trying to set us up. After what she and Ziggy pulled, tricking Tallulah into coming to the super-soft opening, dragging her back into my life again, I could have sworn Charlie would be the first person rooting forus, or at least not trying to actively put other prospective partners in our paths.
I watch Charlie over my shoulder as she rushes toward Tallulah at her post behind the counter,stilltalking to that damn patron. They’re leaning even closer now, their fingers tracing figure eights on the counter as they hold Tallulah’s eyes. Shamelessly flirting with her.
My hands clench in my pants pockets. My stomach knots sharply. I feel like I swallowed battery acid.
Tallulah glances up when Charlie approaches, then peers past her sister as they hug. Her eyes meet mine, then dance to Nat, who stands beside me. One eyebrow arched. Hard-set mouth. She looks... displeased.
Pleasure flies through me. I arch an eyebrow, subtly nodding my head toward the patron at the counter. I want Tallulah to know I’m just as aware of people flirting with her as she is of people paying attention to me.
“So...” Nat says.
I spin back, guilt hitting me. I’m being rude. “So sorry! Just making sure we were all good at the register.”
“No, that’s okay!” She smiles warmly. “So, I’m a big contemporary rom-com gal; I’ve never read historical romance, and I want to give it a try. Charlie said you will havethebest recommendations. Mind showing me where to start?”
“Absolutely.” I use the pretense of stepping aside to guide Nat to the historical romance section as an opportunity to glance over at Tallulah one more time.
She’s leaning in on the counter now, Charlie seated at a stool next to the other patron, who’s making no effort not to stare down Tallulah’s dress.
Red. I seered. My jaw clenches.