AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Since I saw the woman who reminded me of Everleigh, she’s all I’ve been thinking about.
Christ, how I wish it was really Everleigh.
I only had two months with her, and I cling to the memories like a dying man.
Sometimes I torture myself by wondering what it would’ve been like if we had met under different circumstances.
I never got to see her be carefree. I never got to hear her laughter.
“Jesus, I miss you,moya malen'kaya lyubov',” I mutter. “I think you would’ve loved it here.”
Downing the vodka, I close my eyes and let memory after memory wash over me.
It’s torture, but it’s all I have.
Chapter 25
Everleigh
A shipment of books came in, and I’m busy unpacking them when a man comes into the store. I’ve seen him here before, and usually, he likes to check the thriller section.
“Morning,” he greets before he starts to browse the shelves.
“Morning. Let me know if I can help you find anything.”
“Thanks.”
My eyes flick to where Vincent is coloring in a picture of an elephant before I continue to unpack the books.
Every now and then, I check what the man is up to before glancing at Vincent.
“Do you have any books about baking?” the customer asks.
“Yes.” I leave the counter and head to the aisle where he’s waiting. Grabbing a book off the shelf, I hold it out to him. “This one is pretty straightforward. You don’t need a degree to follow the recipes.”
“Oh good.” He pages through it then gives me a smile. “I’ll go with this one.”
“Great.” I take the book from him and head back to the counter.
“Hey, little man,” I hear him talk to Vincent. My eyes flick to my baby before they settle on the customer.
Leave him alone.
Luckily he doesn’t approach my son and comes to join me at the counter.
“So, I couldn’t help but notice you don’t wear a wedding ring.”
Oh crap.
He seems to be in his late twenties or early thirties. With dark blond hair and blue eyes, he’s not bad looking. I’m sure any woman would like to date him. Just not me.
“I’m a widow.” The lie normally works to scare off men.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
Sure you are.
“I was wondering whether you’d like to have dinner with me?”
