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I snort at the thought. It’s not real. It’s a figment of pheromones and sunshine and the company of a dear friend. A feeling that never lasts.
Glass flowers fill the bookstore window, the sunlight glinting off them and casting rainbows on the books displayed around them.
Inside, the store is filled with chatter and the low hum of music over speakers. A few people browse near the front of the store, but I’d bet most of the noise is coming from people in line for Dani’s pastries and coffee at the back of the store.
The scent of coffee and sugar fills the space.
“Well, howdy-ho, what brings the town doctor to my place of business?” a tall man with a day’s scruff and striking gray eyes asks.
“I’m introducing you to your new favorite customer.” Noah gestures to me. “Lazy Holiday. This is Dani’s sister, Daisy Weston.”
Lazy’s eyes light. “The editor.” He holds out his hand. “It’s an honor and a pleasure.”
I have no idea how seriously to take this guy, so I err on the side of caution and hold my hand out to him. “Same. I’ve heard only good things about you from Dani and Grant.”
Lazy tilts his head back and hoots, drawing attention from several customers. When he lowers his chin, his smile is utterly contagious. “You are a liar. A kind liar, but definitely a liar. Like your sisters, you aren’t very good at it.”
“Are you?” I ask.
To my great satisfaction, he appears to be as thrown as I feel. “A good liar?”
“You strike me as someone who enjoys playing games and messing with people’s heads.”
He wraps an arm around my shoulders and starts walking me toward the back of the store. “I have the perfect book for you.”
I look back over my shoulder at Noah, but he’s laughing. “Put whatever she wants on my tab,” he calls after us.
“Sure thing, Doc,” Lazy says.
“I’ll see you tonight, Daisy,” Noah says.
I slip out from under Lazy’s arm and spin to look at Noah. “You’re leaving?”
“You’ll have more fun without me.” He narrows his eyes and points. “Don’t you dare come home with less than ten books.”
I stare, mouth open, as he turns and walks out of the bookstore. What. The. Actual. Fuck?
“Looks like I’m not the only one messing with heads,” Lazy says.
I look up at him. He’s even taller than Noah, which means I have to look way up. “You are clearly trouble.”
“But you can’t help but love me.” His confidence is hilarious.
“That remains to be seen. Show me this book I’m going to love.”
He leads me to a small bookcase with a sign above that reads:Local Authors. My stomach drops as Lazy grabs one of Goldy’s books and hands it over. “You’ve probably read this a million times. But I thought you’d want to see the display we set up for your sister.”
My mouth goes dry, the sticky sweet taste of syrup souring. I’m a horrible sister. I’ve had plenty of time to read her books and no good excuse for not reading them. The truth is, I was scared to discover I hate her books.
I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to resist offering unsolicited advice, and no one likes that. Now that I’m living in the same house as Goldy, it’s even riskier.
But that risk is better than being the only sister yet to read her books.
I take the paperback from Lazy. “I’d love to own a physical copy.”
His smile widens. “A good sister would own the entire collection.”
He’s obnoxious, but I can’t help smiling back. “I’m good with one to start.”
