Page 14 of Faking Romance

With a sigh, I open my door and hand Jocelyn her coffee and pastry.

“What’s that look for?” she asks with a raised eyebrow as she starts to put the cowboy romance books on shelves.

“Well, Carly and Cam want Al to set me up with someone. They tried to sell me on dating a guy in the building, as if. And I just got the evil eye from Mr. Grumpypants above us as I walked over here. I seriously do not get what his problem is. I just hope he’s not going to be a big thorn in my side,” I say with exasperation.

“It’ll be fine. And isn’t Al the old guy who owns this building?” Jocelyn asks.

I nod as I pass her some books.

“Why not ask him to set you up? I mean, I have this friend, Alia, and her grandmother set her up and she married the guy. So you never know,” Jocelyn says as she takes another handful of books from me.

“I guess so. I just want to find a good guy. Why does that seem so hard?” I open another box and Jocelyn shrugs at my question.

“It’s not so much finding a good guy, it’s more like finding the right one for you,” she states.

I glare at her and then laugh. “Stop being so smart. Your boss doesn’t like it.”

She chuckles and holds up a book. “Maybe I’ve read too many of these books.”

“Or maybe, you’re just right about that.” I just wish finding the right one was easier. There’s an entire city of men out there. It’s not like the right one is going to just walk into my store.

CHAPTERSIX

Grayson

With a long sigh, I knock on the door to…I read the newly painted sign.

Happily Ever Afters Romance Bookstore

The paper-covered door opens. My eyes widen as I take in…shit, it’s starting to look like a real bookstore.

“Hey,” I say as I rub my forehead.

Roxy crosses her arms and juts out a hip, flicking a hand in an “out with it” motion.

Taking another long deep breath, I study her. She’s got that thick blonde hair up in some messy bun on her head. She’s wearing an oversized T-shirt with leggings and she’s…barefoot. That’s interesting. Her toenails are painted bright red with white polka dots.

“Any chance you can stop hammering for like an hour?” I ask.

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah.” She turns her head. “Jocelyn, can you stop hanging the art? Myneighboris apparently trying to do something and we’re annoying his life.”

I glare at her. “Seriously?”

She raises an eyebrow as if to challenge me.

I glare harder. Two can play at this game.

“Thank you,” I manage through gritted teeth and a clenched jaw.

“You’re welcome,” she says giving me a giant fake smile and then closing the door in my face.

I shake my head and run a hand over my face as I turn to go back inside.

“Rough day?” Hutch's voice calls out. I stop moving and turn to see my friend walking my way with a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Something like that. The producer asked for some different takes to the demo I sent over, butsomeone”—I nod at the bookstore—“decided to hammer artwork this morning.”

He laughs as he unlocks the door and motions for me to go ahead of him. “Dude, she does have to open her shop. I’m sure she’s hella stressed. I think her soft opening is in another week or two. Or at least that’s what Carly and Cam were just talking about.” He raises his cup of coffee as if in explanation of where he’s been.

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