Page 33 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

“I’ll bring you pastéis daily.” Monty grins. “Hell, I’ll get you the damn recipe and teach you how to make them if you want.”

He steps closer, brushing his fingers softly against my cheek. Goose bumps scatter across my arms and I lean into his palm. “Whatever you want, Penny, we do this your way.”

I search his green eyes for the lie. I’ve been in this position before; been promised everything and left with nothing. But this is different because none of it is real. And Monty’s not Dick. I can help my friend and enjoy my favorite season without the whole town trying to set me up on bad dates. And, who knows, maybe I’ll even have a little fun.

It’s that last thought that seals the deal for me. Because I haven’t had fun in a long time.

“Okay.”

Monty’s lips part. “Okay?”

“Yes, okay.” I laugh. “I’ll be your fake girlfriend.”

Chapter 12

Monty

Halfway through the afternoon, I switch to a computer because words are pouring out too fast, and my hand can’t keep up. By five, I am walking up and down the street outside, dictating the words into the phone.

It’s been years since I’ve been this inspired. Since I’ve felt this type of excitement over a book.

Maybe Penny was right. Maybe she is my muse.

And she’s also going to be my fake girlfriend.

I still can’t believe she said yes. After agreeing, she rushed out of here with the excuse of opening her store. I have a feeling that, like me, she doesn’t know how to act now that we’ve agreed to do this. We’re going to have to figure that out. Which just means we’ll have to spend more time together.

I try not to laugh at how excited I am. But I feel positively giddy. It’s ridiculous.

“Vá embora, vá embora!” I hear Vovo hollering from the backyard. I hustle out the back door, searching for the small but fierce woman. I’m not worried about her, it’s whomever she’s yelling at I want to protect. My grandmother has quite the bark.

I find her in our garden wielding her bright red broom like a sword.

She grumbles something in Portuguese and then starts hollering again. “Vá embora, vaca estúpida.”

Go away, stupid cow.

I chuckle when I set sights on Tally’s pet munching on flowers in Vovo’s garden, utterly unbothered by her theatrics.

“That’s just Daisy,” I tell her, reaching for the broom before she hurts someone. Mainly herself. Or me.

Vovo scowls. “We don’t name the food.”

I wrap an arm around her in a bid to calm her down.

“She’s not food.” I laugh. “She’s Tally Darling’s pet cow.”

“Who has a pet cow?” Daisy reaches for a snapdragon and Vovo points an angry finger at her. “I’m going to make you into beef stew, vaca estúpida.”

Knowing Vovo isn’t kidding when she says she’ll turn Daisy into stew, I reach for the cow’s yellow collar and tug her toward me.

“Daisy! Where did the damn heifer go now?” I hear Walker’s voice hollering from out front. “Daisy!”

“We have her back here,” I call out in response.

Moments later, I spot Walker grumbling down the hill, a rope around his shoulder, a leash in his hand, and a cowboy hat on his head. It’s an interesting look.

Seconds later, Tally comes running behind him. “Oh, there you are, pretty girl!”