Page 49 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I should probably update my link at the top to include the bookstore. That way, people could order from the shop directly.

Before I can do that I hear footsteps heading my way.

“Penny, there you are, amor,” Ana says, as she grips Monty’s arm. “I keep forgetting to ask, where did you put my books?”

I stand up to greet her and frown. “Your books?”

“You brought them the day that this one”—Ana nods her head to Monty—“was a Peeping Tom and walked in on you naked.”

Monty sighs. “I didn’t know she was in there.”

“And I wasn’t naked,” I whine. “I was just—” I feel my cheeks go red again and I shake my head. “Never mind. I left them on the table by the door, I think.”

“I can’t find them anywhere.” Ana turns to Monty, a perplexed look on her face. “Have you seen my books?”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he mutters. “What kind of books?”

“They were in a Bonfire and Bliss bag.”

Monty’s mouth falls open and he shudders.

Ana mumbles something in Portuguese and then her eyes narrow on him. “Did you steal my books?”

“I thought they were Penny’s!” He shakes his head and then turns on me. “Are you peddling spicy books to my sweet Vovo?”

I snort and Ana smacks Monty’s arm.

“I thought they were her books.” Monty points toward me. “I kept meaning to bring them back to the store. They’re in the car.”

“Oh good, I can start on them tonight,” Ana says.

Monty shudders again. “What’s wrong with a murder mystery? A thriller? Why aliens?”

“For the love story, obviously,” Eli says as he walks by, a sly smirk on his face. “Absolutely not because of all the extra appendages.”

I cover my mouth to hide my laugh and am glad that for once the town’s teasing isn’t aimed at me.

Chapter 18

Monty

Penny: Hi, any chance you’re available to stop by the store later this evening for your next lesson?

Penny: I’ll even give you your own books so you don’t have to steal your vovo’s

Me: Only if you promise to never mention my vovo’s reading proclivities to me again.

I’m still trying to shake the chill from my body after learning about that and it’s been hours.

Penny: Deal. Seven o’clock work? That’ll give me time to scarf down some dinner before you get here. Plus, it should be pretty quiet in the store.

Me: Or I can bring you dinner and cover the register in case anyone comes in. How does apple cider pork roast and mashed potatoes sound?

Penny: oh my god, I’m literally drooling right now.

I chuckle as I stare at her message, then shoot her a quick one back telling her I’ll see her at seven.

Six hours later, Crock-Pot in hand, I head to her bookstore. As a bachelor, I learned that the Crock-Pot is my best friend. I couldn’t afford to go out for dinner every day of the week in New York, and the great thing about a Crock-Pot is you can just throw in a bunch of ingredients, let it simmer for hours, and when you’re done, you have food for a week. And it made the apartment smell delicious.