Page 80 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I shake my head, even as I try to recall all the times I’ve seen his father over the past decade. Not once have I seen him with another woman and I know I would have remembered if I had—Monty’s parents’ divorce was shocking to all of us. Honestly, their love seemed like the only one that ever rivaled my own parents’.

“No, why? Is he seeing someone?”

He shrugs, though I can tell he’s anything but nonchalant.

“I don’t know. He went out tonight and looked like he was dressed for a date.”

“Is your mom seeing anyone?” I hedge.

He pushes his shoulders up again with the same forced indifference.

“Not that I know of. Or at least nothing serious. She’s mentioned colleagues and drinks over the years but she’s certainly never introduced me to anyone.”

I hum as I take another bite of food. “Why did they get divorced?”

Monty shakes his head and, this time, he doesn’t hide his annoyance as he lets out a heavy sigh and glances toward the bookshelves. “I have no idea. All I got from them was that sometimes people grow apart. Relationships change. Love dies.”

I take a swig of the pumpkin beer he set in front of me, trying to figure out how to respond. “Is that why you don’t believe in love?”

Monty huffs, and it seems like I hit a nerve. Fuck, he told me not to try to fix him and there I go doing just that. My stomach twists and my old insecurities flare. I know it’s not fair to compare him to Dick, but in this moment all I can think about is the way Dick would shut me down, would make me feel foolish for pushing, and so I clam up. “Sorry.” I shake my head. “It’s none of my business.”

“It’s fine. Are you done with that?” He points to my plate, which isn’t empty but I definitely get the feeling he’s looking for an excuse to get away so I nod.

“I can help you clean up?”

Monty shakes his head. “Just give me a few.”

He disappears with our plates and I read his body language loud and clear. He’s shutting down. Which I get. We’ve spent the last, like, nine hours together. I should probably go anyway. It’s not like I’m going to sleep over. That’s real girlfriend stuff. And I’m not his real girlfriend.

Also, he lives with his vovo. The last thing I’m doing is the walk of shame in front of her.

And the last thing I want is his dad to see my boobs again so yeah, it’s time to leave. I scramble for my phone and type out an SOS message in the group chat.

Me: Can someone pick me up at Monty’s?

Tally: Oh, still with Monty all these hours later! How’s things there?

Rosie: Did he tap that as good as he taps a typewriter?

Billie: Oh my god that’s awful.

Tally: BAHAHHAHAH

Rosie: I know the man likes his books, did he give you a good Dickens?

Tally: HAHHAHA, Oh no, I think I just peed a little.

Me: If you’re done now, who is picking me up!

Billie: Be there in five babe.

Me: You are the best!

Rosie: I know his pen is huge but is his PENIS?

I close out of the group chat and search for my shoes. I’m just slipping them on when Monty reappears with a bakery box and whipped cream. He frowns. “Going somewhere?”

I nod awkwardly. “Uh, yeah, Billie is picking me up.”