Page 42 of Cinnamon Roll Set Up

I refuse to worry about what it was. Or even think about why it’s gone. Didn’t I swear I’d find someone perfect for him? I need to stick to that promise.

Everyone calls out goodbyes as he walks through the door. The burning sensation in my chest lingers long after he’s out of sight.

“That’s the anti-commitment-phobe right there,” Miguel says when he’s gone. “The shy, reclusive nerd. Mmm mmm. I got myself one and never looked back.”

“Miles is looking especially adorable tonight,” Nicole says. “I can’t put my finger on what looks different, but boy, do I want to.”

“It’s the glasses,” I blurt out. Mostly to avoid any discussion of where Nicole might put her fingers on Miles.

“He always looks like he’s busy writing books in the back room.”

Cece laughs. “With good reason. Hedoeswrite books in the back room.”

That leads to a bunch of questions that are like sandpaper under my skin. Several of them have heard that he’s a writer before, but they ask it again and it’s always fresh and new. Like they can’t possibly keep Miles in their heads beyond book club night. Which makes no sense, because he’s literally the most memorable person I know.

“Wait,” Eliza says. “He’s not the actual Miles Forrester who wrote those space pirate books, is he? Dean’s obsessed with those.”

“The very same.” Cece preens so hard, you’d think the praise is for herself and not her nephew.

“How do we not know this already?” Now Eliza’s staring at me, as ifI’mthe one keeping it from everybody. “Why hasn’t he done book signings here and big celebrations and put his face everywhere in town?”

“He’s really humble. He likes to stay quiet about his achievements,” I say. Doesn’t sound like a good enough reason in the face of their excitement, but it’s true.

“Ego that man up!”

“Now I kind of want to read his book,” Bailey says. “What’s it about?”

“Well…” How to sum up some of the best books I’ve ever read? “It’s like pirates in space. It’s funny, but there’s a serious story going on, too, with this huge mystery and scheming bad guys and found family and an anti-hero captain who’s secretly got a soft spot for his number two.”

“Add to cart.” Miguel’s statement earns a round of applause.

Eventually, conversation circles around to our book of the month. We discuss tropes and storylines, but mostly we talk about how perfect the hero and heroine are for each other. Opposites, but ones who don’t expect the other to change in order to be together. They support each other and encourage each other and basically make each other the best version of themselves possible.

Also hockey for some reason.

But as we discuss this sweet, bold love, the fire in my chest dies down to a dull ache. Because sometimes, way down deep where I rarely look, I wish love like that could be more than just make believe.

Chapter 15

Miles

I greet a shopper with a massive yawn for the third time this morning. Not exactly killing it at the customer service game today.

The woman just laughs. “You look like you could use one of your coffees.”

“I probably should. What can I get for you?”

She orders an Americano and a cinnamon roll, and I get to work. By the time I hand both off to her and she’s paid, I’m yawning again. Maybe I do need a coffee this morning. I was up late last night thinking about the new book and lost track of time. Five a.m. comes awful quickly when I’m running on a few hours of sleep.

“Thanks so much. Do you have a recommendation for a good sci-fi book? My husband’s birthday is coming up, and I want to get him something I know he’ll like.”

“Er…” This is one downside to owning a bookshop and also selling books I wrote. It’s an automatic conflict of interest. Obviously, I want to sell my books…but without feeling like I’ve unduly pushed customers toward them. I can’t recommend my novels as though I’m an anonymous, unbiased bookseller passing along a hot tip. That’s just shady.

But I’m also terrible at coming out and admitting I wrote the books. The last thing I want are pity sales because a customer felt pressured. Mostly, I avoid mentioning my books in any capacity. Unless I’m cornered.

Like right now.

Her smile slips the longer I hesitate. “He has a pretty big collection, but any advice would help.”

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