“Did you already read book two?” I asked.
She shook her head. “No. I got the first when it released, so book two wasn’t even out yet. Maybe I’ll have to get a copy too, and maybe book one to read again. We can compare notes as we read.”
“I’ve got one at home. I love that idea. Nothing’s worse than getting to a part that completely shifts everything you thought you knew and then having no one to talk about it to,” I said.
“Tell me about it,” she agreed with a grin.
“The guys indulge me,” I admitted. “They listen when I just need to rant about it, but I can feel their attention slip the moment I start explaining the plot and characters.”
“I’ll listen next time,” she said. “Even if I haven’t read it.”
“I’ll always listen,” I vowed, referring to more than just about books. If she needed me, I would be there in a heartbeat.
She froze for a second before looking away quickly, as if she couldn’t handle the depth of the moment. It was nice to know I wasn’t the only one affected.
“Oh wow,” she breathed out as we pulled up in front of the bookstore. “It really has changed.”
“The old owners ended up having to sell,” I explained. “The couple that bought it are fantastic.”
I quickly climbed out of the car and rushed around, opening her door for her and offering my hand. She didn’t even hesitate to put hers in mine.
She also didn’t let go.
The moment she was steady on her feet and out of the car, she simply shifted our hands, locking our fingers and letting me lead her inside.
I swear it changed something in me. My confidence boosted and some of my shyness fell away.
Like her, I’d read these books as an escape. A way to reassure myself that someone out there would be made for me.
Now I knew I’d found her.
The only issue was she wasn’t truly available. Not yet. Not one of us could make a move while Conrad was breathing down our neck, and she was still moving past her exes. No matter what possessive proclamations Cade made, the decision was hers.
“Wilder!” Valerie yelled out as we pushed open the door.
Her wife, Tracy, joined her at the desk, waving me over. “We got it in stock,” she said, holding up the book I was after.
Their enthusiasm was unmatched, and generally people like that made me nervous, but they really didn’t give me a choice in the matter.
Honestly, I preferred it that way. As an introvert, being ‘adopted’ by extroverts was the best.
“Actually, I’m going to need two copies,” I said.
Both of their eyes widened comically as they seemed to take in Lana for the first time.
“Oh, who’s this?” Tracy gasped before Valerie not so subtly elbowed her into silence.
Lana took it like she did everything, with that same easy smile on her face and a slight shake of her head.
“My name is Lana,” she said, giving them nothing more, and I knew it was driving them crazy.
“Let me grab that for you,” Valerie offered, rushing off through the stacks to find it.
Tracy continued to look at us. I could see the questions all over her face, but somehow she managed to keep it locked down. For now.
“So, you’re a reader?” she managed, settling for a safe question. “What kind of books are your favorites?”
“I’m typically an anything kind of girl,” Lana explained. “I think that’s what I love about romance. You get incredible packs that make you swoon, and then any kind of plot you want mixed in.”
