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Pippa
Pippa eyed the woman setting a pile of books on the counter in front of her. “It’s Mia, right?”
Mia smiled. “Si.”
Pippa yawned for the third time in five minutes as she scanned Mia’s books and placed them in a bag. “Excuse me. I think I need some more coffee.”
Mia studied her a moment before her mouth quirked up in a knowing smile. “Does a certain SEAL have anything to do with your lack of sleep, perchance?”
Pippa snapped her attention back to the computer screen. That was exactly why she was so tired. She’d spent the last few days with Mason. In between their work schedules, they’d spent every waking minute together, learning each other’s bodies. Laughing with one another. The man even went as far as reading one of her romance novels to her. He was as close to perfection as one could get. “Why would you think that?”
Mia leaned in. “I knew it! The girls said something was going on between Mr. Serious All The Time and our lovely bookstore owner.”
Pippa’s face burned red hot. How did anyone know?
“No te preocupes. Your secret is safe with us.”
Pippa peeked around the bookstore, making sure everyone else was out of earshot. “How did you know? And who are the girls? We barely started this.”
Mia grinned. “My yoga studio is full of chatty Cathys who have been trying to catch that man’s eye for years. The women of Shattered Cove notice when a man like that is seen around town with someone who isn’t them.”
“Really?”
Mia shrugged. “Small towns. Everybody wants to know everyone else’s business. It can be both good and not so good if you intend to keep secrets—trust me. I know from experience.”
“Look, Mason and I . . . we just . . .”
Mia waved her hand. “Don’t worry about it. You don’t owe me an explanation. I’m just glad to see someone put a smile on that grump’s face for once besides his daughter.”
Pippa bit back her own smile and accepted Mia’s credit card before taking payment. “Would you like to come to our next romance book club meeting? We’re finishing up the last book and picking a new one.”
“Si. I’m thinking I may vote for a military romance, maybe one starring a SEAL as the hero.” Mia winked.
Pippa shook her head. “Have a great day.”
“You too, chica.”
Mia left as Pippa’s phone chimed. Pippa picked it up and read the message that flashed on her phone.
Mason: I’ll be by in ten minutes to pick you up. Want to eat in tonight?
Pippa: You know what happened last time we “ate in.” I wouldn’t want you to be late for work again.
Mason: I have tonight off. You know what that means?
Pippa bit her lip, a myriad of dirty fantasies coming to mind.
Pippa: No. Please tell me. In detail.
Mason: It means I’m cooking for you. You’ll need your energy for the night I have planned.
She was definitely looking forward to their evening together. But she couldn’t help but wonder how this would work when Aspen got back. He hadn’t as much as held her hand when his daughter was around before. Would it be different now?
Pippa: And what exactly is on the agenda?
“What’s that smile for?” Troy’s voice made her jump like she’d been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
“Nothing,” she squeaked, pocketing her phone as it dinged.
