Page 2 of One Pucking Destiny

We refuse to release our grasp on the book in question, so I tighten my grip. “Well, see, it’s the only one in stock, and I’m picking it up for my sister.”

“Yeah, I know it’s the only one in stock. I’m the one who called the bookstore and asked them to order it. Therefore, it’s mine.”

This girl is projecting a bit of an attitude, but man, she’s pretty.

Focus.

“Look. I need this book. My sister has wanted it forever, and it will make her really happy. How about you pick out two other books…or three…or five, whatever you want, and I’ll buy them for you. Please.”

I feel her grasp tighten on the book, so I do the same.

“That’s a nice offer, but no. I want this one. Why don’t you buy your sister another two, three, or five books?” She raises a brow.

“Because she wants this one.” I sigh.

“Yeah, I know the feeling.” In some sort of crafty stealth move, she pulls the book out from under my grasp and hugs it against her chest. “Better luck next time.”

I hold up my hands, palms out. “Wait, wait, wait. Just…let’s discuss. We need to do this fairly.”

“It is fair. I ordered the book. It arrived. I’m getting it.”

“Yeah, well, I searched for this book online, saw there was a copy, and drove here from Ann Arbor to get it, giving me just as much right to it as you. Plus, we reached for it at the same time. So…” I smile at her again, the one that usually has girls falling at my feet.

“So I’m buying it.” Unimpressed, she steps around me.

“Wait.”

She turns around, wearing a look of determination. “Yes?”

“Let’s flip for it,” I offer.

“No.”

“Rock, paper, scissors?”

“No.”

Blowing out a breath, I rock up on the balls of my feet and back to my heels. “Look, I’ll order you one on Amazon. It will be here in two days, and I’ll buy you other books today.”

“Why didn’t you just buy it on Amazon?”

“Because I’m visiting my sister today, and she really wants it. Please,” I basically beg, steepling my hands against my chin.

“Sorry, it’s a mood thing.” She shrugs. “I’m in themood to read this one today. I need a good cry, and it’s my birthday.”

Put it off to the fact that this girl may just be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen or that she wants to cry on her birthday, but I don’t have it in me to argue about the book anymore. Hattie will survive with another one. I guess I should’ve had her send me that TBR list after all.

“Fine. You win. But can you please help me pick out something else for my sister? I had planned on getting her that book, so I didn’t listen to the other ones she wanted.”

She nods and looks at the book in her hand. “Sure. I can do that. If she wanted this one, that means she likes emotional contemporary romance–type reads. I have some recs.”

“Thank you.”

She steps toward me and passes on the way to the romance section.

I follow. “What’s your name?”

She scoffs, shaking her head. Removing books from the shelf, she places them in my hand. “Yeah…no. With that smile you keep flashing and that face of yours, I'm sure you’re used to getting any girl you want, but that’s not what’s happening here.”

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