Page 43 of Silver Player

Monday begins my Halloween themed sale, Booktober, and I’m overwhelmingly busy, which is a good thing. It doesn’t provide me time to reflect on the missed kiss with Billy or the plaguing question of why he stayed the night. He’s come to visit Sadie, now joining us three nights a week for dinner, but I’m in such a rush, working double shifts with Grace, that I hardly have time to chat with him. He’s grown very comfortable with visiting my apartment, and I note again he hasn’t invited Sadie to his place.

My bookstore has an old library table near the front where I can watch kids who hang out work on homework. Sadie hasn’t been part of those crowds, and I worry about her making friends here. She hasn’t mentioned anyone other than the classmates causing trouble during class.

In addition, there’s a cozy corner in the back where I have a loveseat and an overstuffed chair for those who want to linger and read in quiet. It’s a tight fit in the corner for my First Chapter Fridays, but I don’t want to move the book night to another location. The point is to bring readers into the store and discuss books.

However, Billy’s presence at my home has the rumors circulating as we convene the Friday after his Oktoberfest.

“So, a certain someone has been seen frequenting the upper stairs of this place,” Cora Conrad simpers, eyeing the rest of the other ladies present tonight. Alyce Wright, an English teacher at the high school and assistant girls’ volleyball coach to Mati Harrington, is present, along with Hetty Miller, owner of the floral shop down the street. Penelope Stryder, the owner of Pearl’s next door, two newbies, and Cora, who’s really been on my nerves this week, are also in attendance.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, keeping my eyes on the book before me, flipping pages well past chapter one in my haste to avoid this topic.

“I’ll give everyone a hint. He’s tall. Silver on top and dark on the bottom. Oh my, that sounds scandalous, and I think he works right—”

“Alyce, why don’t you begin this month?” I interject, cutting off Cora who’s craning her neck like she can see through some nonexistent window behind my head and peer across the street.

“I’d be happy to,” Alyce replies, giving me a wink, which I appreciate, and she begins to read a new MC book about a woman returning to her small town after a broken marriage and meeting a man she never meant to love. It sounds similar to our community with Rebel’s Edge outside of town, and I notice Cora grow more uncomfortable with each passage.

“I think it sounds wonderful,” Hetty says when Alyce finishes.

“I think it sounds impossible,” Cora mutters, her eyes focused on the cover of the book in her hands.

“I think it all sounds like a bunch of romantic hullabaloo,” a masculine voice interjects, and we all look up to see Billy Harrington in his Friday finest—jeans and a BRMP tee. “The real thing can do better than that.” His smoky-brown eyes land on mine, and a slow, cocky grin grows. I have no idea what he means, but if he’s implying he’s the real thing and can fulfill fantasies, I’m certain he isn’t wrong. I’ve been dreaming of him all week.

“Thought you ladies might like a little sample with your reading hour.”

A few ladies break into a wave of snickers, and Billy clarifies his innuendo by holding up two growlers of craft beer. Did he bring us his fall blend?

“I’d love one.” Alyce smiles appreciatively, and I stand for my office.

“I’ll see if I have any plastic cups.” I pass Billy and enter my office, needing a moment to ponder his presence.

“Roxie,” he addresses me from behind, startling me, and I jump before spinning to face him.

“William.” I draw in a breath, the sound of his name ragged on my lips. “That was sweet of you. I’ve always wanted to do a pairing of your beer with books.”

“Really?” His brows rise, but his expression looks sheepish. “My sister had the same idea for a while as well, but I wouldn’t let her.” His lips clamp shut after he speaks as if he’s said too much, and I take a moment to digest what he’s said.

“You wouldn’t let her?” I question. He looks away from me, and I form my own assumptions. “Because you don’t like me.”

His face returns to me, and his brows rise even higher, wrinkling his forehead. “It’s not that I don’t like you, Roxie.” He steps forward, filling my personal space, and I try to step back but bump into my desk. Everything in my shop feels too small tonight, and I can’t get enough air, especially with him standing so close before me. “Not dislike.” His voice lowers, and he brushes back my hair, his eyes following the motion as he curls his fingers around my ear and then pauses on my neck. His thumb reaches for the corner of my lip. The corner he kissed that first night.

The corner that’s never been kissed like that.

His eyes leap up, and I swallow.

“I said that out loud, didn’t I?”

“Like how, Roxie?” His thumb strokes over the curl of my mouth, rubbing back and forth on the edge.

“I’ve never had a corner-lip kiss.” I exhale with the admission, a cross between relief and embarrassment. Billy’s lip crooks again, and another cocky grin appears.

“I’m happy to be your first.” The statement is filled with suggestion, only the ship of my virginity sailed long ago. Still, there are many firsts I haven’t had. Positions. Locations. This man.

What am I thinking?

My hands lift to push him away, only my fingers dig into the shoulders of his tee as if tugging him to me.

“You’ve been so busy this week.” His eyes scan my face but eventually land on my mouth. “We haven’t had a chance to talk about last weekend.”