Page 60 of Fall For Me
She has a warm, inviting face and is wearing overalls with a smudge of dirt on the knee. “Hey! You’re Liam’s wife, right?”
The phrase sends a jolt through me, but I recover quickly. “That’s me. Though I’m still getting used to the title.”
“Don’t worry, we won’t blast you with questions. Yet.” She grins. “Give it a few weeks.”
I laugh, relaxing.
They both welcome me to town and to the book club.
The bell chimes again, and Lila bursts in.
“Oh my gosh, you came!” she squeals and pulls me into an enthusiastic hug that nearly spills my hot chocolate. “Everyone has been dying to meet you. I’ve been talking you up all week in our group chat.”
“That’s… mildly terrifying.”
“Only good things, I promise.”
Over the next fifteen minutes, women filter in. Lila introduces each newcomer while Rory floats back and forth with hot chocolate refills.
Alejandra Flores owns Dye Hard, the hair salon on Main Street. Her black curls are styled in perfect waves that must’ve required three different hot tools.
She takes one look at me and declares, “Honey, those ends are crying out for help. Come in this week. I’ll squeeze you in.”
She says it with such warmth that I laugh instead of being offended. “That bad?”
“Nothing we can’t fix.” She winks. “Consider it my wedding gift.”
Aurora Marino is the assistant chef at A Slice of Heaven, her family’s pizzeria. She talks with her hands, gesturing animatedly as she describes the new pizza special they’re testing. “Come try it before we take it off the menu. It’s got this truffle honey drizzle that sounds weird, but trust me, it works.”
January Jensen is the town librarian—soft-spoken, a little shy, with gentle eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. She asks what genres I like to read, and when I mention gothic mysteries and domestic thrillers, her face lights up. “Oh, we’re going to be friends.”
Carrie Montgomery is the mayor’s wife, polished and put-together in a way that rivals Liam’s mother. She’s friendly butalso assessing in that politician’s-spouse calculation as if she were cataloging details for future reference.
The town’s sheriff, Ruth Bingham, is also a book club member. She’s compact and sturdy, with a no-nonsense attitude and eyes that miss nothing. Her handshake is firm.
Faye Rose arrives last, a first-grade teacher with impossibly long blonde hair and an easy laugh that puts everyone at ease. She’s the newest member of the group besides me, having joined two years ago when she moved to town. When Lila finishes introducing us, Faye gives me a conspiratorial smile that says,We’re in this together.
I like her immediately.
Once everyone settles into the seating area, an orange tabby cat emerges from the back of the shop, meowing indignantly.
“And this is Hemingway,” Rory announces. “He doesn’t appreciate being ignored.”
She produces a treat from her pocket, and the kitty gobbles it up with the enthusiasm of a famished stray, despite his round belly telling a different story. Then he jumps on the loveseat and sprawls across the middle, stretching out his legs and forcing Alejandra and Rebecca to squish into the armrests.
Rory settles into a worn velvet wingback chair. “Before we dive into the book discussion, I want to officially welcome Peyton to the group.” She tilts her head in my direction. “We’re thrilled to have you.”
A murmur of agreement ripples through the circle. My cheeks warm up.
Before Rory can continue, Carrie claps her hands together. “Wait, wait,” she says, bouncing in her seat. “Does everyone realize what this means?”
She looks at each woman in turn.
“We finally have a Rockwood in the book club,” she declares breathlessly.
Faye, sitting to my left, leans in and whispers loud enough for the others to hear, “This town is obsessed with its founding families. I’m dating an Evans. Ryder mansplained the importance of his surname to me on day one.”
“Oh, hush, Faye,” Carrie says, waving a hand. “It’s history! Think about it. We have an Evans.” She points to Rebecca. “A Callaway.” She nods at Lila. “A Montgomery.” She taps her chest, then looks at Ruth. “A Bingham. And now…” She beams at me. “A Rockwood. The set is complete!”
