Page 80 of A Novel Love Story

Garnet set me down finally. “He seems like a real piece of work,” he replied, and he was right, but he really had no business talking. Because last I knew, Garnet Rivers had gone off on a road trip with Beatrice Everly, and now he was back—seemingly alone. Everyone knew at the end ofReturn to Senderthat Bea and Garnet would be a happy for now because Bea was too smart to fall for Garnet forever, and Garnet loved his freedom too much to stay with Bea. But seeing Garnet back without her …

It was a complicated feeling. I’d hoped that they’d stay together, that Garnet would realize that Bea was the best he’d ever get, but everything aboutReturn to Senderwas about journeys, and paths not taken, and how you can walk with someone down a road for a little while and then pick a different path.It didn’t make the time less worthy, but it did make it sad.

“You good?” Garnet asked.

I blinked, wrenching myself out of my thoughts. “Thanks for the catch,” I said.

“I mean”—and he looked at me under those long, dark lashes, his eyes like pools of oil—“I could treat you to dinner as a thankyou …”

“Don’t you mean I could treat you?”

“You’re already a treat, sweetie.”

I laughed—literally laughed aloud in his face. He looked very put off by it, but that was fine. I wasn’t looking to start a love triangle with both the grumpiest man in town and everyone’s worst mistake. That would’ve been entertaining, but it wasn’t me. I patted him on the shoulder. “That’s a good line. Save it for someone else, though.”

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and I left him to it. I had some explaining to do to Anders, and I’d better do it sooner rather than later.

24

Sub Plots

ANDERS,” I CALLED ASI flung open the front door to the bookstore. The bell above me chimed brightly. “Anders, I can expl—”

Suddenly, there was a rumble outside. At first it sounded like thunder, but it didn’t fade. In fact, it sounded like it was comingcloser. Out the bookshop window, a beat-up baby-blue Ford truck roared into a parking spot in front of the Roost, and the second Ruby slid out of the passenger seat, wet hair pulled up in a messy bun, still in her bathing suit top and damp high-rise jean shorts, Jake tore out of the café like a man on a mission. He’d probably staked himself out at a window booth and waited for her since he left the inn. The fact that he wasn’t wearing a baseball cap meant that he was serious. That, and the bouquet of wildflowers he held.

I perked up, like a dog offered a bone.

This was it. Themoment.

Don’t mess this up, Jake, I prayed.

“C’mon, you can do it, buddy,” I muttered under my breath as he presented her the bouquet of wildflowers.I couldn’t hear what he said, but Ruby seemed surprised by the gift. He motioned with his head, and probably asked her to walk with him.

At first, she looked like she didn’t want to, but then she caved and handed Maya the flowers. She followed Jake down the sidewalk, and turned the corner into an ivy-filled side street. I debated whether to leave the bookstore to follow them. No, I just had to hope that Jake did this thing properly.

And I had to find Anders.

He was busying himself toward the back of the bookstore with an end cap, where he tore down a display offeringBRIGHT SUMMERY READSand built a new one promisingTHRILLING ADVENTURE. It was mostly dinosaur books. I watched him, chewing on my thumbnail. He was upset, I could tell because he wouldn’t so much as look at me.

“I didn’tmeanto fall into Garnet’s arms, if you’re wondering.” I said to him, but he didn’t even turn around as he arranged Michael Crichton on the top shelf.

“It’s not my business. I’m not your keeper.”

“You would be a pretty hot chaperone, though.”

His molten glare turned his minty eyes dark, and he rolled the new display books over to the endcap. At least helookedat me. That was a start. “The bookstoredoeshave a front door, but if you prefer the window, who am I to argue?”

“I …” I stared at him. It clicked. “Oh my god, you’rejealous.”

He scoffed, turning away. “I’m notjealous.”

“You are!”

“I don’t care if you go off and do whatever you want with Garnet. It doesn’t matter. He’ll be gone by morning, anyway,” he added with a sneer.

“Well, maybe I will!”

“Then go right ahead.”

---