Page 23 of Hating the Book Boyfriend

He blows out a resigned breath before saying, "Okay… let's do it."

I hold my gingerbread martini and say, "Cheers. Here's to turning Jacob Kringle into the perfect book boyfriend." He gives me a cautious smile but it's a smile all the same as his glass clinks with mine. "Also, you're already scoring points in my book for attention to detail."

"How so?"

"You ordered the Estes Peak Holiday Brew."

He shrugs. "It's a good beer, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't know that author J. Estes is also the same girl who grew up growing Christmas trees in Pine Falls and now owns the farm and a brewery with her brother."

"You did your research. See, women appreciate that. It shows you're interested in more than just one night."

"Or I was a freshman when you were a senior and I grew up in this town."

I take a drink of my martini as another thought occurs to me. Our drunken shenanigans and the video that started the BBB may have gone more viral than I thought. "Do you read books? Is that how you stumbled upon my video?"

"No, Avery does. She always has a book nearby. I started looking them up to see what they were about so I'd have an opener, but she'd already have a new book in hand by the time I'd think of one. She reads a lot. Every two days, there's a new author in her hands. Anyway, looking up all those books quickly landed me on bookish algorithms. That's when I saw your video." He pauses to take another drink before adding, "When I saw your face, I thought maybe I'd have a real chance of getting help since we were from the same town."

That settles my nerves about Archie finding out about my secret identity. It wouldn't be the end of the world if he found out, but I'd hoped that if or when he ever discovered that I'd been writing books, I'd at least have something to show for it. Something more than a pile of debt from editing, cover designs, and failed marketing.

"Perfect. We're going to make a great team. Leave it to me and after this weekend, you'll be lining up date number two. But first, I need to know more about Avery. You mentioned you see each other every day and you've talked. Does she seem interested in you?"

He picks at the corner of his coaster. "I mean, every time she sees me coming, her face lights up with a big smile. She's so damn pretty. I think that's part of why I lose my words so easily when it comes to her. I don't want to mess it up."

That's cute. I love that he's so nervous he doesn't know how to start. "I always say if you're going to put a smile on a girl's face, you better plan on keeping it there. You're off to a good start. You guys have exchanged small pleasantries when you talk, she smiles when she sees you, and what else?"

"She's memorized my coffee order. Every day she has it ready before I even order."

Hold the phone. I close my eyes as my excitement dies a little. "Maybe I should have asked this earlier. How did you guys meet?"

"Avery is a barista at Cozy Beans down the street." I roll my lips and try my best to keep my face impassive. When he said he's talked to her and sees her daily, I immediately thought of a work colleague, not a coffee barista, whose literal job is wearing a non-stop smile and being friendly to customers. I must not be hiding my sudden doubts well because Jacob says, "I know what you're thinking; she's paid to be nice to me. I thought that too, but I'm not her only regular. Don't get me wrong, she's kind to everyone, but I'm not a complete tool. I know when a girl is flirting back, and when she's lingering. There are two other guys that come in every day. Her smile isn't nearly as big, and while she also memorized their orders, she doesn't make them ahead of time, nor does she peek over the top of her book to sneak glances at them."

I can't help it. My hand slaps the table harder than anticipated as a huge smile takes over my face. "That's what I'm talking about, Jacob. You know the signs. She's definitely interested. Okay, this is good. Now we just need to figure out how you will ask her to the Friendsgiving. From what you just told me, I think she will accept." He anxiously runs his palms over his jeans, and I can tell the mere thought of asking makes him anxious.

"Can you explain what part of talking makes you nervous? Is it the opener, not knowing what to say, or what comes after that makes you uneasy?"

"Well—" he starts, only to be interrupted as my phone buzzes loudly on the table.

"I'm sorry, one second."

This is not happening. My eyes immediately scan the bar for the source and come up short, but I know he's here. Hejust asked who I was with, and after the way things ended this morning, I have a feeling he's not going to let this go. Shit.

CHAPTER 14

Colton

I've spent the past ten minutes walking down Thistle Street after finding out Kieran dropped JoJo off in town hours ago and just left her. Is she an adult capable of fending for herself? Sure, but what if her phone died? Not to mention, Archer may not be picking up on Kieran's advances, but I notice every one of them. That's why I'm here now. He's not going to be the one she calls for a ride home. There are only so many places left to check. I've peeked into storefronts on my way down. She may have called a friend to pick her up, but I'm going to swing into Holly's Tavern and make a loop around before I throw in the towel.

The second I walk through the doors, I spot her. Her blonde hair is like a damn beacon in the dimly lit bar. As I approach her booth, I see she's not alone. What the hell? I detour and head to the far end of the bar to get a better view of her and the guy she's with.

"Can I get you something?" the bartender asks just as my annoyance starts to take root.

"Yes, I'll take a whiskey on the rocks. Make it a double," I say, not taking my eyes off Josephine as I dissect her every move. Who is this guy? He can't be her guy. If she had a guy, I would know. We've been home for three weeks now, and no one besides Kieran has made an appearance at the farm.

"Cole, is that you?"

My eyes do a double take at the bartender who just took my order. "Rhys Bierman," I extend my arm and give him a pound hug over the bar top. "How have you been?"

"Good." He throws a towel over his shoulder. "This place is basically mine now. Ma' stepped back two years ago. I got married last fall, and we're expecting our first baby this spring. How about you?"

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