Page 85 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

“Sounds like he might really like you, too.”

I nibble on my thumb, not quite ready to face either of those statements just yet. “I need sugar.”

“Well, that I can handle.”

***

For the next hour, I attempt to forget about everything that happened tonight, from me and Monty having sex, to telling Billie how I feel about him, about us.

While Billie warms up the oven for chocolate chip cookies, I hop in the shower. Once I’m snuggled into a pair of pajamas I always leave here, we assemble the dough, polishing off a bottle of peanut butter whiskey as we do.

It isn’t until after we pop the cookies into the oven that I see the messages on my phone.

Monty: Tonight was everything, Xuxuzinho. Thank you.

Monty: And for the record, I didn’t kiss you because we had an audience.

Biting my lip, I fall back against the couch. I might be tipsy, and extremely tired, but that sounds like flirting to me. Could Billie be right? Could Monty actually like me, too?

I type out a response, not expecting a reply. He’s probably been asleep for hours.

Me: I’m glad you kissed me.

I squeeze my eyes shut—God, I hope I don’t regret that in the morning—though they fly back open when my phone vibrates seconds later.

Monty: I can’t wait to do it again. Sweet dreams, Penny Darling.

Holy crap. Is this really happening? Am I falling for my best friend?

And maybe, just maybe, is he falling for me, too?

October

Hope Harbor Happy Chat

Rayna: Happy Sunday! Thank you all for participating in the apple bake off.

Rosie: You’re welcome.

Rosie: Now tell everyone that Henry and I won.

Fletcher: Do I get a little credit? I basically did everything while you instigated a food fight.

Rosie: Just because you don’t know how to have fun…

Rayna: If you two are done?

Babs: It’s like you can cut the sexual tension with a butter knife!

Stew: I vote they bang.

Rayna: Stewart Robert Garrison, we don’t talk like that in here!

Babs: Seriously, Stew. Be better.

Fletcher: Ladies, I hardly think you can lecture Stew on this topic.

Babs: What are you insinuating, Mr. Mayor?