Page 6 of Pucks and Coffee

Eliza

It’s been a long damn morning.

I didn’t sleep well at all. I tossed and turned, got pissed, and deleted all the dating apps off my phone. I’ve decided I’m done with dating. I am going to focus on opening a damn coffee bar in the bookshop. I know Louisa doesn’t think it’s a good idea and doesn’t really think I can make it happen, but I want it badly. I want something for myself. Each of my sisters has their own thing, yet I’m riding Lou’s coattails, helping with a shop I’m not passionate about. I love it here, but I want my own thing.

Especially when I’ve decided I’m going to stop reading romance. Because that shit does nothing but ruin my life. I have this hope that every guy I go out with will be the one. I’m pretty damn sure my “the one” got chased by a bear and fell off the side of a mountain. Or the bear ate him. I wish a bear would eat me. Ugh. I’m so over everything at this point.

The plumber came and went, and of course, I forgot to get more cash after my shittastic date. The reminder that I gave that asshole my cash only pisses me off more, especially since I had to pay a fee for using my card. I tried not to be too rude to the plumber for the outrageous seven-dollar fee, but seven bucks? That’s highway robbery! I’m pretty sure he muttered that I was a bitch too. Being called a bitch twice within twenty-four hours is a new record for me.

To add to my ever-sucking morning, I haven’t had a chance to make it to Drippy Drip for my morning caffeine fix. I am dying, which is why I want my own spot within the bookshop. I want to serve coffee, but also this amazing drink called a lotus tea. I have so many cute ideas to name drinks after books, and I desperately want to learn and to make it happen. I have the money, and I have the determination. The only problem is I need someone to train me, to teach me. And at the only coffee shop in town, the owner isn’t really open to helping me. He doesn’t want anything to do with me, pretty much how the whole town treats my sisters and me.

Or rather, used to treat us. It’s not as bad as it was when we first came. The success of the Knoxville Bears has shown the town what hockey can offer. Tourism is up, games are sold out, and the team is doing great. They made it to the play-offs last year and almost won the whole damn thing. The Bears are kicking ass, and the people of this town love that. So instead of being mean to the owner’s granddaughters, they now ignore us.

It’s awesome.

I reach for the box cutter after the delivery guy brings two boxes into the shop. I don’t remember Lou telling me an order was coming, so I call her as I open the box. When I see the cover, I suppress a giggle.

My sister and her monster romance addiction.

“Hey, Liza. What’s up?”

I try to keep my voice even as I ask, “Lou, why in the hell is there a box of special edition books with Krampus on the cover, embracing a rather hot blonde?”

Lou giggles. “So, hear me out…”

“I have no choice but to hear you out as you explain to me what is appealing about Krampus, because I don’t think I’d enjoy being rammed by him.”

My sister is fully cackling at this point. “Liza, for real. He is scrumptious, and his come is eggnog.”

“As in, he ejaculates eggnog?”

“Yes.”

I blink. “I mean, I do love me some eggnog. I may give it a go.”

“You should. Just make sure to have a toy nearby.”

I snort. “Where do you find this shit?”

“Facebook ads,” she admits, and I laugh.

“Fair enough.”

“They’re so pretty. Put them up front. And make sure to set one aside for me.”

I scoff. “Do you expect it to sell out?”

She pauses. “Eliza, his come is eggnog, and we live in a Christmas town. It’s gonna fly off the shelves.”

She’s so serious, I can’t help but laugh even harder. “I can’t with you.”

“For real, read it, and don’t get anything on my pages.” I roll my eyes, but before I can scold her for her teasing, she asks, “How did it go with Chad Michael?”

I gag, my mood darkening more. “Total jackass. He doesn’t eat pussy.”

“What the hell? Yeah, ew, fuck that.”

“My thoughts exactly,” I sigh. “I’m done dating.”

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