For us?
Have you lost your mind, Elias?
She. Is. Leaving.
What part of “don’t get attached” are you not understanding?
“Yes,” Clementine all but shrieks. “In fact, I know just the author who kills it every time.”
Nora eagerly trails after her. I prowl behind them, hoping to keep my dislike for Clementine at bay long enough for Nora to get some recommendations.
When we reach another round table filled with books, Clementine picks up one and thrusts it at Nora. “You have to read this author. She is so good.”
Nora bursts out laughing. Clementine shoots me a confused look and all I can do is shrug. I’m not exactly skilled at understanding Nora Everhart. She’s still a mystery to me.
“Sorry,” Nora says, still chuckling. “This is Kayla Washington. She’s my best friend.”
Clementine frowns. “Funny.”
“No, seriously.” Nora hands me her coffee and the book back to Clementine. Then she fishes out her phone. Seconds later, she has a photo pulled up to show us. “See?”
Clementine shakes her head in disbelief. “That’s photoshopped.”
I snort out a laugh that earns me a scowl from Clementine.
Nora, though, won’t be deterred. She mashes a button on her phone and then she’s FaceTiming someone. Kayla answers on the second ring.
“Just the girl I needed to talk to. This book is killing me—OH MY SWEET LORD IN HEAVEN LOOK AT THAT BOOKSTORE!”
Clementine freezes, mouth hanging open like a fish gasping for air.
“Kayla,” Nora says with a cheesy grin, “meet Clementine. She works here at Preening Pages.”
“Hi,” Clementine croaks out. “Uh, I’m a huge fan.”
“Prove it,” Kayla rushes out. “Do you have any of my book quotes tattooed on you?”
“Kayla,” Nora says with a groan. “Leave her alone.”
I bite back a chuckle. Kayla is intense.
“Actually,” Clementine says, twisting her arm to show us the underside of it. “This was from your third book. The dedication.”
Kayla preens—which is fitting since we’re at Preening Pages—as Clementine gushes over her books. Nora is still frozen in shock that Clementine has her best friend’s words tattooed on her body. Not going to lie…it shocked me too.
“As soon as I finish this deadline,” Kayla tells Clementine, “I’m coming out to see my boo thang right there. Miss her face. Maybe the three of us could have coffee.”
“I’d love that,” Clementine murmurs. “Thank you for talking to me.”
They end the call and Clementine smiles, though somewhat dazed.
“Sorry I didn’t believe you,” she tells Nora. “That’s a cool flex.”
“When she comes to visit, she’ll do a signing event here, too if you want. I know my girl. She loves to talk about her stories.”
I’m pretty sure Clementine stops breathing at that point.
While Clementine gushes over how cool that would be, and that it’s basically like a “bucket list” thing for her, I turn my attention on Nora.
