Page 68 of Forbidden King (Magnolia Falls)

Oh, hey, buddy. I can’t stop thinking about fucking your sister. Are you cool with that?

“I can’t tell him that I want to sleep with his sister.” There, I said it.

She was completely unfazed, as if she’d expected me to say this. “I definitely would not recommend saying that. Try dating her first, Kingston. Tell him you have these feelings, and you want to date her.”

“I’ve never lasted long with anyone. I don’t do relationships, you know that. And Hayes would never be okay with me having a casual…” I paused to think of the right word to say.

“Tryst?” she asked, her eyes dancing with excitement.

“Fling.”

“No, I can’t imagine he’d be too pleased with that. I guess you’re going to have to rethink your no-relationship rule. Because if you want to cross the line with Saylor Woodson, all those rules would be thrown out the door.”

No shit.

That was the problem.

I hugged her goodbye, not feeling any better than I had when I’d arrived.

seventeen

Saylor

The bookstore had beenopen for a few days, and we’d been busy from the time the doors opened until they closed. Today would be no exception because the infamous Ashlan Thomas was coming to Love Ever After, and it’s all everyone in town was talking about.

“Even Midge freaking Longhorn is excited about this,” Ruby said, as she helped me finish putting out the cookies and treats that I’d ordered for today.

“Yeah, that’s because Midge got back together with her ex, Doug. So she’s in her romance feels,” Peyton said, as she added some strawberries to the large glass dispenser we’d filled with water.

“Who knew Midge even had feelings?” Ruby laughed.

“Yeah, she already called this morning to ask what time the doors were opening. Apparently, she’s reading everything Ashlan’s ever written.”

“Damn. Romance books really bring the world together, don’t they?”

“Well, for the sake of my business, I hope you’re right.”

“I’d say your first week in business was a huge success,” Ruby said.

My phone vibrated, and I looked down to see a text from Demi.

Demi

We’re here.

Ruby chuckled at how nervous Peyton and I were, just as the door from Demi’s coffee shop opened, and they walked into the bookstore. I’d met Demi’s future sister-in-law, Brinkley Hendrix, before, but I hadn’t met the other two women.

“Hey, are you ready for the big day?” Brinkley asked.

“Yes,” I said, and my voice shook, which made it clear I was nervous.

Demi smiled and then turned to the women standing beside her. “You all know Brinkley, and this is her sister, Georgia Lancaster. She is in the book world, as well, and her family owns Lancaster Press. And this is the infamous Ashlan Thomas. Well, that’s the name she writes under. Her real name is Ashlan King.”

“It’s so nice to meet you both, and I’m happy to see you again, Brinkley. I can’t thank you all enough for doing this,” I said.

We took turns making rounds and hugging one another, and they appeared to be as excited as we were about the event.

“This is so cute,” Ashlan gushed. “I need to take pictures of this setup. My girls would love how adorable this all looks.”

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