Page 1 of After All This Time

CHAPTER ONE

dani

“This is bullshit!” I say to myself.

Slumped in my swivel chair with my arms resting on the handles, I stare down the blank screen of my laptop like it’s mocking me.

Writer's block is a bitch.

I was hoping sitting here with music flooding my eardrums would help me brainstorm some ideas, but so far, it’s not helping. It’s surprising because music typically helps me get into the world I’m writing about.

As I let out a deep sigh, I managed to type out one word on the page.

Shit.

Leaning back in my chair, I cross my arms and scrutinize the word as if it would sprout friends if I glared hard enough.

Instead, it sits there and tortures me until I ultimately decide to slam the laptop shut—I’ll only frustrate myself more than I already have. The clapping sound of my laptop closing echoes in my room and rings in my ears.

Maybe I should just stick to my job at Sweet & Salty.

Sweet & Salty is the romance-only bookstore here in Sunset Cove.

I started working there regularly throughout my high school years, up until I started college. And now summer seems to be the only time I can fit it into my schedule.

My mom’s lifelong best friend, Laura, opened the store back in the early 2010s. She wanted a place for romance readers to call home—I’ve been lucky enough to call it my home for the last several years of my life. I’m grateful Laura opened this place because I’d be lost without it.

If only my life was a romance novel, everything would be easier.

I’d fall in love with a guy who’d treat me like a princess, take care of me, buy me books, support me, and maybe be an avid reader like myself.

But, unfortunately, this is reality. It’d be a miracle if I found a guy who could sweep me off my feet.

The creaking noise of the door has my head spin towards it which brings me back to reality.

Bella's head pops into view, her face lighting up until it dims like a faulty night light. “Dani, what the hell are you doing?” she asks. “Did you stay up all night again?”

“Maybe,” I reply.

“And how are you functioning right now?”

“Who says I'm functioning?” I quip, pushing away from the desk like it’s the worst thing to exist.

She stands there, narrowing her eyes at me and folding her arms across her chest. She’s interrogating me with her look alone.

I stand up, stretching out my arms and lower back. "It's called survival mode," I tell her, trying to rub the fatigue off my face. "You know me better than anyone, Bella Castillo-Ryder, which means you know I’m running on nothing but shit.”

Bella shakes her head at me and laughs. "Okay, let's pull you out of survival mode and get you fueled up. I’ll whip something up for us for breakfast.”

“Sounds good to me,” I smile. “What were you thinking of making?”

She shakes her head. “Nope, I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise.”

As I shuffle to the bathroom, I can almost hear the pep talk I need speaking through the tiles that line the backsplash.

“Hey, don't take too long in there!” Bella calls after me, her tone playful yet commanding.

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” I say.

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