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Delaney’s grin grew to Cheshire cat size. “You ditch signing books in South Bend and sign at our shop that day instead.”
That was it? Giving up the author gig he’d fished for with the sole purpose of having an excuse to swing by Brooks Books? Alex didn’t care if there wasn’t a soul who showed up for the relocated signing—for him, writing was never about the money. His agent, however, would not be happy about the last-minute change. She’d get over it, though. Eventually. Hopefully.
“Deal. So, what do I do next?”
“Eat,” Delaney said as she got out her cell phone. “And leave the rest to me.”
Chapter Three
Mia pulled intoher detached garage after making a quick stop at the elementary school to drop off some supplies for a craft they would be working on in class next week. Brooklyn had been mostly quiet on the ride home, attention glued to the never-ending attention suck that was TikTok, while Mia silently wrestled with Del’s parting comment about Alex.
“You liked him. That’s why it hurt so bad when he was a jerk to you.”
She’d never admitted it aloud to anyone, but yes, it was probably true. Only, instead of acting on that attraction or accepting it for what it was, her young mind had put up a roadblock of guilt founded on a sense of responsibility to stay committed to Greg. But they’d only been dating, not engaged.
Ugh, if she’d been wiser then, more assertive, she could have put the brakes on her relationship with Greg like Robyn had suggested and given Alex a chance. Or anyone else a chance, for that matter. Look at what sticking with Greg had gotten her: divorced in her thirties, doing the single-mom thing on one income with a mortgage and an aging vehicle. Thank goodness for child support—without it, on her teacher’s salary, she’d really be in a world of hurt.
Mia shook her head. It did her no good to dwell on the past. After all, she was doing fine on her own. No, better than fine. She’d been blessed with a wonderful daughter, whom she lived with in their beautiful house nestled amid family and friends in her favorite place on the planet. There were no regrets worth holding on to. What was done was done, the past best left exactly there: in the past.
And that’s precisely what she planned to do, just as soon as she sent a text to her good friend, and former college roommate, Robyn Owens.
You’re never going to believe who walked into the bookstore tonight: Alexander Wellington.
It was mere seconds before Robyn responded.No. WAY! How’d he look? Does he still have his hair?
Mia grinned as she followed Brooklyn inside. It was such a thirty-something question.Yes, looked handsome as ever. Said he wanted to apologize for being an ass that day.
She didn’t need to elaborate on “that day” with Robyn. Her roommate lived it right alongside her and held Mia later as the tears began to fall.
’Bout damn time.
Agreed, Mia texted.
Maybe you two will get a second chance at love.
That stopped Mia in her tracks.Robyn, there was never a first chance. Also? I’d be perfectly content to never see the man again.
And she meant it.
Didn’t she?
Mia set her phone aside and got busy heating up leftover chicken casserole. It wasn’t gourmet by any stretch, but the new recipe had proven edible. She cooked because she had to, not because she enjoyed it, and was the first to admit she wasn’t all that good at it, either. Thank goodness her daughter wasn’t a picky eater.
They had just finished eating when Del walked in through the back door with a carryout bag in hand.
“Who’s ready for dessert?”
“Me!” Brooklyn said. “What’d you bring?”
“Cherry cobbler from Sweet Mash.”
First the swiped business card, now this? Her sister was definitely up to something. “What’s the occasion?”
Del laughed. “You can thank Isaac and his ridiculous sweet tooth. Well, and Alex, who happened to be there when I was placing my order for Isaac.”
“How convenient. Seems you didn’t have to steal his business card after all.”
“I didn’t steal it. I merely helped tidy up the bookstore.” She pulled the card from her pocket and set it on the counter with a wink. “There, now it’s yours for safekeeping.”
