Page 3 of Cinnamon Roll Set Up

He lifts a shoulder. “There aren’t many details. I received an email yesterday. I’m nominated. That’s really it.”

“How can you be so calm?” I jostle his knees with mine as though I can jumpstart his enthusiasm. “This is monumental. Aren’t you excited about it?”

Another smile peeks out. “I might be in shock.”

Exactly what I mean about humility. He’s written two funny, engaging, plot-twisty science fiction bangers and is surprised at every success he has with them.

I put both my hands on his cheeks and give them a little tap. “You need to celebrate.”

His face tugs into a grin beneath my palms. “I did just find a new bookshelf for the store.”

I laugh at his dry humor. “Celebrate with something even more exciting than a free bookshelf.”

“Does that exist?”

“I’ll find you something.” Magnolia Ridge doesn’t have a wild nightlife scene, but Miles likes to keep things low-key anyway. Maybe dinner at his favorite Indian food place. A slice of pie. Holing up in his apartment and watching one of his odd comfort movies.

I’ve never known a guy so committed to the Muppets, but he’s got me hooked too.

“There’s going to be an awards ceremony,” he says oh-so casually.

“Awards ceremony?” Good thing nobody’s in the shop right now because I can’t stop shrieking. I spin back to his laptop and click on a couple of tabs until I land on the ceremony info. The Andromeda Awards are one of the biggest honors in science fiction and fantasy writing, and the pictures of past winners prove it. Men and women decked out in swanky clothes holdingtheir crystal prizes aloft. “Ooh, they call it agala. And it’s in Austin. Are you going? You have to go.”

Austin’s only about thirty minutes south of here. Not much of an excuse to avoid attending.

“Seems like I should.”

Those fancy award winners look pretty coupled up in the pics. Like an Oscars red carpet, but with genius writer nerds answering questions like “Where do you get your inspiration?”

“Are you going to take a date?”

He pauses as if his brain needs a second to reboot before he can answer.

“I know you’re not huge on dating, but this is a big night for you. You should have someone special by your side.”

He blinks his big hazel eyes at me. “I was going to ask you to go with me.”

He’s the absolute sweetest. But it’s a little embarrassing how much we’ve become each other’s default plus one. We spend so much time in the store together, whether working or doing our own thing, it’s stretched into our personal lives. I don’t really care about mine, but he at least deserves a shot at something more.

“As much as I’d love the excuse to wear a slinky dress, you need aromanticdate for this.”

He makes a weird, strangled sound. “Slinky?”

I suck in a breath as the perfect solution sparks a little lightbulb over my head. “I’ll help you find a date.”

Miles coughs like something went down the wrong pipe. “You’ll…what?”

I can’t stop grinning as I pat him on the back.

“I’ll help you find a date. I’m the perfect wingwoman because I know you better than anyone, and I’m completely impartial.”

Chapter 2

Miles

Impartial.

Not among the feelings I’d prefer Georgia have about me. My list includes words like smitten. Enamored. Flat-out in love.

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