Page 3 of One Pucking Destiny

“What about my face?”

She grins. “Look at you, fishing for compliments. You know you’re hot. I’m sure you’re told all the time.”

“Uh, okay, pot, meet kettle.”

She drops another book in my hand and turns back toward the shelf with a shrug. “I never said I wasn’t pretty or whatever, but I don’t need a guy in a bookstore to fuel my ego.”

“You’re a little abrasive.” I steady the armful of books she’s given me against my chest.

“Just not in the mood.” She holds up her book. “In need of a good ugly cry, remember?” She eyes the stack of books in my arms. “Is that enough?”

“Yeah, thanks. Alright, Book Girl. Let me buy your book for you, at least. Consider it a happy birthday and a thank you for your help.”

“Sure, I guess.” The corners of her mouth tilt up into a hesitant smile.

I eye the stack of books in my arms. “Alright then. Set it here.”

Wrinkling her brows, she steps back. Clutching the book against her chest, she radiates utter distrust.

I laugh. “I’m not going to steal your book. I promise. I’ll pay for it and give it right back.”

Narrowing her assessing gaze, she puckers her lips and steps toward me. “I will pummel you if you don’t give it back.”

“I don’t doubt it.” I chuckle. She sets her book onthe stack of others in my arms. “Look at this face. Do you think I’d steal a book from a pretty girl on her birthday?” I give her my panty-dropping smile once more, and just like before, it doesn’t faze her.

She scoffs. “Please. I was raised by the strongest woman, and you know what she always told me?”

“What?”

“The more beautiful they are, the more dangerous they are.”

“Well, I can assure you, I’m not dangerous.”

“That’s exactly what someone up to no good would say,” she teases. “Don’t you have somewhere to be?”

I nod. “Yes, I do. Give me a sec.”

She peruses the shelf of books closest to her while I take the stack up to the register. I pay extra for a floral gift bag for book girl’s book and throw in a hundred-dollar Happy Birthday gift card so she can come back for more books later. Everything in me wants to write my name and number on the gift card, but I don’t. She’s made it clear that she doesn’t want anything to do with me, and I have to respect her wishes. Despite her views, not all pretty boys are jerks. I was raised by strong women, too. My grandmother, mom, and sister are three of my favorite people in the world. I have a sincere respect for women.

“Happy birthday.” I hold out the gift bagcontaining her book. “It was nice meeting you, and I hope you have an amazing day.”

“Thanks.” She takes the bag from my hand. “I hope your sister loves her books.”

“I’m sure she will.”

Book Girl gives me a wave and walks out of the store and out of my life. For someone I don’t know at all, her exit twists my heart with a pang of something that resembles sadness. Surely, it’s not that. But there was no denying I wanted her to stay.

CHAPTER

TWO

BASH

Hattie and I exchange a grin as we pour the extra white cheese sauce we ordered over our steak chimichangas.

“Now this is what I’m talking about,” Hattie states as she dips her finger into the cheese and plops it in her mouth. Her eyes roll back in her head as she groans. “So good.”

My groan mirrors hers as I take a bite of my food. Leaning back in the multicolored booth, I place my hand on my stomach. “Divine.”

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