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“So what can you tell me about her?” Bridget asked, going back to our original conversation. “Is she cute?”

“Bridget!” I groaned, thankful when she couldn’t see the color on my cheeks. “If you must know, yes, she’s cute.” Very cute. I smiled then, looking around the shop at where we sat a few days ago. If I looked hard enough, I could almost see her sitting on the sofa beside the front window with a book in her lap.

“And when are you supposed to see her again?” She didn’t ask about my next date this time but it was implied.

“I…” I paused, chewing my bottom lip as I did. “I don’t know. She’s really busy with work right now and I don’t know when it’s going to get any better.”

Not to mention her going back on tour meant she wasn’t girlfriend material. Not for me, anyway. I never cared for the long distance thing, and believe me, I tried. College was a bad time to start a new relationship, especially when that girlfriend decided to go to school several states away.

But with Cassidy, she’d be gone more often and for longer periods of time. The timezones alone would make talking to her extremely difficult.

Not that we were dating, of course, but she was nice to talk to.

“You guys didn’t set up another date?” my sister asked, surprised.

“Sort of?” I’d offered Cassidy a place to go when she needed to unwind, but that didn’t really count, did it? My sister would know for sure, but not without me sharing every single detail with her. If there was one thing I knew about Cassidy Blake it was her need for privacy, privacy I was happy to give any way I could.

“So it wasn’t a date,” Bridget said with an exasperated sigh.

“That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. We’re just friends.” More like acquaintances, really, but it wasn’t like I’d know the difference.

The friends I had growing up were the ones I read about inside one of my books. Mom and Dad tried to get me to hang out with a girl down the street, but I couldn’t be bothered.

It’s really hard to date when you’re as awkward as me.

“Is there anything you can tell me about her?” This was usually when Bridget would give up and find a reason to hang up the phone. Instead, she wanted to keep talking, drawing as much information out of me as she could.

It wasn’t that I didn’t want to talk about it, but after seeing the lengths Cassidy went to just to have a semi-normal day out, it didn’t feel right. So I shared as little as possible, which wasn’t nearly as much as my sister would’ve liked.

“She used to come into the shop,” I said, focusing on when we were kids. “I didn’t realize it was her because of how long it’s been.”

“And she still lives in the area?”

Of that, I wasn’t sure. “She’s taking care of a few family things.”

“Like you did after Dad passed away.”

“Yeah. That’s how the journals ended up at the shop. She was cleaning out the house. Anyway, I don’t know if I’ll see her again because I don’t know how long she’s supposed to be in town. I think she just wants to take care of things here and move on, you know?”

“I do, but that also explains why you’re drawn to her. And don’t tell me you’re not. I can tell you’re holding something back, which probably has more to do with you protecting her rather than yourself. You always were a giver, Evie. Because you handled things after Dad passed away, it makes sense for you to take a liking to someone facing the same thing.”

“And she likes books,” I pointed out with a small smile.

“Don’t forget that.”

“Well of course she does,” Bridget said, laughing as she did.

“I’m glad you’ve found someone, Evie, even if it’s only for a short while.”

“Me too.” More than I realized, actually.

“And if it turns out she really isn’t living here anymore, at least you know what to write on your dating profile.”

“Bridget!” I almost screamed, covering my mouth when someone walking on the sidewalk paused to look inside the shop.

“What? It’s true. Smart, down to earth blonde seeks other bookworms. It’s perfect!”

I shook my head but couldn’t help the smile on my face.


Tags: Natalie Brunwick Romance