Page 10 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I throw on his shirt, pulling it over my naked chest and breathing a sigh of relief when it covers me properly.

Unsure of my next move, I pace from one end of Monty’s room to the next.

Pushed into one corner beneath a large window is a twin-sized bed, decorated with a simple blue-and-red comforter. Tucked underneath a second window, a spot that affords a view of the empty street out front, is a desk where I imagine he probably wrote my favorite book of his. Shit. I didn’t drive here.

“Penny?”

I whip my head toward the door; Monty must be waiting for me outside.

“Be right out.”

Panicking—I can’t possibly face him after what just happened—I turn toward the window again and question whether I might be able to fit through it. But then what? Am I going to catapult down two stories? I don’t think so.

So I do the next best thing; I pull out my phone and dial my sister.

Her voice blares loudly through the quiet room when she answers, practically knocking me back on my ass.

“Hey, so what type of cleanse do you think we’re doing tonight? I’m hoping it’s not something we have to drink, because I really need wine. It’s been a long day and after the way Walker just worked me over—”

“Oh my God, Tally. Shut up!” I hiss, staring at the door, imagining Monty with his ear pressed against it. I tug the phone tighter to my lips. “I’m locked in a room and I need you to get me out.”

“What? Like locked in a room because the Liberty Ladies set you up on a bad date or like the door is stuck and you can’t get out of your apartment?”

“Neither. Do I really seem like the type of person to lock myself in a room? And I’m not dating. Remember?”

“Okay, point taken.” She hums. “Can you explain, please?”

“What’s happening?” Rosie’s voice cuts through the call. “Who’s locked her up? Penny, do you need me to save you?”

Chin to my neck and mouth covered by my palm, I whisper, “I’m locked in Monty’s bedroom.”

“You broke into Monty’s bedroom?” This time the scream comes from another voice—Babs? “Oh, honey, this is worse than I thought. Thank God for the cleanse tonight.”

I squeeze my eyes tightly shut. “Tally, take me off speaker!”

“Calm down. I’ve just texted Billie; she’ll be there in two minutes.” My sister lowers her voice. “This is a little weird, Pen. I thought the Liberty Ladies were off base, but if you sniff his underwear we’re going to have to have a serious conversation.”

“I am not sniffing anyone’s underwear!” I all but scream before slapping a hand over my mouth.

“All right, all right. But do we need tools to break you out?”

“No. I just need a ride.” I grit my teeth as I look back out the window. A sense of total relief rolls over me when I see Billie’s blue sedan pulling down the street.

Billie is Tally’s boyfriend’s little sister and recently moved to my family farm to help run the events and weddings my mom and Walker organize.

“Okay, she’s here. Gotta go.” I hang up before my sister can say anything else to embarrass me. Then, steeling my spine, I grab my bra and wet shirt and march toward the door. I expect Monty to be leaning against it, so I open the door slowly. When I find the hallway empty, a split second of disappointment hits me.

Filing that emotion away for another day, I rush down the staircase, call out a trill goodbye, and sneak out the front door before running straight to Billie’s car.

I’d imagine I’m quite the sight to behold—my bosom heavy, bouncing and unconfined, and my skin likely beet red from utter embarrassment.

When I reach the car, breathing heavy and sweating, my heart feels as if it’s working double time.

“Woah.” Billie frowns as she studies me. “You okay?”

“Go!” is all I manage between choking breaths. I point forward and thankfully Billie does as I ask.

“Do you want to go to the brewery—”