Page 54 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

Monty: I’ll take that as a yes.

I beam at the phone.

Me: Yes.

***

Three days later and I’m pacing the store waiting for Monty to pick me up. He refused to give me even a hint as to our plans, saying that whatever I normally wear would be fine for what we’re doing. I have half a mind to walk out in a full ball gown just to screw with him. Or a Halloween costume—Babs has plenty I could have borrowed.

I touch my cheeks, feeling a smile spread across them. I’m smiling a lot lately and I know it’s because of Monty. Whatever it is we’re doing, I’m having a good time. A really good time.

My most recent post on Instagram was also a huge hit, which means I’m not going to miss out on lost profits today since my online sales have been incredible.

apennyforyourbooks: Must haves in a perfect book boyfriend (aka my non negotiables for what I want in my own boyfriend)

Must love books. Have good taste in music. A fantastic sense of humor—the banter should be elite. Must know how to cook and enjoy feeding me. Tattoos are a definite plus. Oh, and Slutty Glasses. Must have slutty glasses.

Does that make me shallow? Yup. Do I care? Nope. Give me all the men with glasses and tattoos please.

I’d held up three books that had characters with both tattoos and glasses and added affiliate links to my bio and once again, they went crazy.

I’m giddy with excitement. It feels like I’m finally doing the damn thing. Like maybe I can make this business work after all.

The bell above the door jangles and I hear my sister yell, “Is he here yet?”

“Oh my gosh you are so embarrassing,” I respond, but as I round the corner, I find it’s not just my sister. Nope, it’s my sister, Rosie, my mother, and Billie. I motion to Billie. “You, too? I expected this from them, but I thought we were friends.”

Billie looks stricken. “They dragged me out of the brewery. But I’m going to spend the afternoon with your mom. Swear that’s the only reason I’m here.”

“Leave Billie alone,” Tally scolds.

“I’m just teasing her,” I say with a grin, and Billie relaxes.

“So this is your first official date,” my mom says, wearing a smile. She was so excited when I asked her to cover the store for me so I could go out with Monty. I feel slightly bad for lying but I am excited for the date, so that part of it is not a lie. Even if it is fake.

I try not to squirm under the heat of their attention. I opted for a burgundy tank top under a long black cardigan that I’ve paired with my favorite inky-blue jeans. My hair is tied back in a thick braid, and I’m wearing some light makeup—trying and I’m sure failing—to cover up my freckles and inevitable blushing.

“It is.”

My mother beams. “You look beautiful.”

“She looks hot,” Rosie agrees, stalking toward me. I flinch as her hands go to my bangs. “Why do you keep cutting these?”

I huff out a breath and they fly up. “Because I have a big forehead.”

“You have a beautiful forehead,” my mother argues.

Tally laughs. “You’re sweet, Mom, but Penny does have a big forehead. And she looks gorgeous with her bangs. Just gotta keep up with them.”

Like Rosie, she heads in my direction, hands stretched out toward my fringe.

“Can everyone stop touching me, please?!”

My sister glances at Rosie. “She’s a testy one before a date. Was she always like this?”

Rosie nods. “Yup.”

“I’m right here…”