Farrah
“If I didn’t know better, I’d swear the man was following me,” I complain to Gia and Gwen. They’re both giving me sympathetic smiles, trying not to laugh at the ridiculous situation Knox and I have found ourselves in.
For the last two weeks, it seems like he’s everywhere I am. I even went out to Holt’s parents’ house one afternoon with Gia, and he was there.
“He’s been oddly social recently,” Gia says. “He’s brought Finn over to see the girls on multiple occasions, and instead of dropping him off and leaving, Knox stayed to hang out with us.”
I frown. “Do you think he’s sick?”
Gia snorts out a laugh. “I think he’s fine. He still doesn’t say much while he’s with us, so that’s consistent.”
The thing that’s driving me the craziest is that I’ve started looking for him when I’m running around town. I’ve gotten so used to seeing him everywhere that if I don’t bump into him, I’m disappointed. It’s pissing me off.
I don’t want to see Knox. His moods are asfickle as a toddler’s. I never know what I’m going to get with him, and I’ve had enough unpredictable men to last a lifetime.
Though, to be fair, Knox’s moods are either neutral or angry. And recently, he’s been more neutral than angry. Even when I was yelling at him for tipping me that absurd amount, he just took it in stride. It sort of pissed me off even more. I wanted him to yell at me in return. I wanted it to feel like I deserved that extra money for putting up with his attitude or something.
Yeesh, my therapist would have a field day with that thought.
It might be time to schedule a session. I shouldn’t be this bent out of shape over a guy who doesn’t even like me. He doesn’t deserve all the space I’m giving him in my head.
Gwen’s sibling, Charlie, comes over with a tray of coffee. Once each of us has a mug, Charlie turns to Gwen to sign.
I catch a few of the words, but I haven’t learned ASL well enough to understand everything Charlie says. Gwen’s been teaching Gia and me, but it’s slow going.
Gwen translates for us. “Charlie wants to know if we’d be interested in starting a book club. They’d like to host it here at the Daily Grind in the evening.”
“Yes!” Gia exclaims. “I am so in.”
“I’d be interested in doing it,” I add.
Gwen signs as we talk. “It should probably be once a month to give people time to read.”
I nod. “Agreed.”
“I can make a poster to hang up on the board for anyone else wanting to join,” Gia offers.
Charlie is grinning at the three of us. “You’re the best.” They clap excitedly before heading back to the counter to help work through the short line of customers.
“What are your thoughts on making it a romance book club?” Gia asks. “I don’t read much of anything else.”
“Same. Everyone has their preferences though, so maybe we could split into groups if there are enough people with similar interests,” I suggest.
Gwen nods. “Let’s put an open call for fiction readers on the poster, so everyone knows they’re welcome. If we end up with an eclectic mix but not enough people for groups, we could just tell everyone about the book we’re currently reading.”
An idea pops into my head. “Oh, we could do a silent book club where we all gather to read.”
Gia points at me. “I’d definitely be down to do that.”
The chime sounds as a group of people walks into the Grind. I grin as Holt’s girls race over to Gia to hug her, and then Leah squeals when she spots me.
“Miss Nelson! I gotted to buy three books at the libary.”
“How exciting. Which ones did you pick?”
Leah scrunches her face. “Uhhh. I can’t really remember.”
I chuckle. “That’s okay.”
