Page 66 of Reckless (Adventures in Love 3)
Chapter 20
JADE
“Oh my God, I loved that book you recommended for me to read,” a cute little blonde wearing a cheerleader outfit with a cup of coffee in hand gushes as she walks up toward the register where I’m standing. “I mean, I wasn’t sure that I would be into elves and magic, but the story sucked me in, and Christen was so hot.”
“I’m so glad you enjoyed it.” I make sure to keep my smile in place, a smile that has felt forced for the last four days. Then again, my heart was ripped out and stomped on four days ago, and even if I was able to lie to myself about not being in love with Maverick while he and I were together, the pain in my chest is a constant reminder that I’m an idiot and lying to myself did nothing to protect me from heartache.
“Did you see that I got the second book in the series today?” I ask her, wishing that talking about books would make me as happy as it used to.
“I didn’t.” She spins around, goes to the shelf where the first one is located, and picks up the second one, squealing as she holds it to her chest. “I’m so excited.” She comes to the counter with it, reading the back blurb.
“Have you read it yet?” She hands it to me.
“I haven’t yet, but it’s next on my list. The reviews on it so far are fantastic.”
“Well, if it’s anything like the first one, I bet they are.” She passes me her credit card, and I swipe it through the machine; then, while she plugs in her code, I place her book in a black bag.
“You’ll have to come back to let me know how it is.” I hand her her purchase, and she smiles.
“I will.” She bounces through the opening of the store into the coffee shop, waving at Katie and Tony before she disappears out of sight.
With the store empty, something that doesn’t happen very often, I go around and make sure that the books are on the shelves where they should be and that the items that the other girls are selling are in order. Since opening just four days ago, we have already paid our rent for the month and made a small profit. It’s been beyond huge having the store attached to the coffee shop, and just like I thought would happen, people are constantly coming in here to look around, either while they wait for their drinks or after they have their coffee in hand. I also love that there are men and women coming in here to purchase books that they might not have purchased otherwise.
When I hear the door ding, letting me know that someone is here, I stand from where I was squatted adjusting a stack of books, then smile when I see Cybil with Claire.
“Hey, I didn’t think you were going to be here until later,” I say as I take Claire from her and rest her on my hip.
“I know, but Claire woke from her nap a little early, so I thought we would come over to see if there was anything we could do to help get ready for tomorrow,” she says, but I know she’s lying. She’s been worried about me. Everyone has been.
“I don’t think so.” I shrug. “Balloons are being delivered in the morning, and the people who own the liquor store down the street are dropping off the champagne in the evening, right before we close the door to celebrate. I figured I would just go to the store tonight and pick up the stuff to make a giant charcuterie board that people can pick at and keep it simple.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll take care of it when I leave here and just keep it in my fridge and bring it with me tomorrow.”
“That works for me.”
“Awesome.” She looks around. “How was today?”
“Good, everyone who’s walked through the door has walked out with something, so that’s good, right?” I carry Claire to behind the counter, where her bouncer is, and place her in it with one of her toys.
“How are you?” she asks, and I shrug.
“Good.”
“Jade.” She sighs.
“Please don’t,” I whisper. “I can’t. I don’t want to talk about how I’m feeling or anything else. I don’t want to cry.” I cry enough at night when I’m lying in bed alone, I think but don’t say.
“Tanner and Blake talked to Maverick.”
“Good.” I know that Tanner and Blake were both pissed at their friend on my behalf, but I never wanted that, especially knowing how close the three of them are.
“Tanner said Mav is a mess.” My heart clenches at that news, and I don’t know if I should be happy or sad that he’s as messed up as I am. “I guess Tanner called his sister and asked her to come to town to see if she can sort him out.”
