Page 154 of Where We Bloom

“Can weworknow?” I ask dryly as I grab a bottle of my favorite water—which Connor always keeps stocked here—out of the small fridge behind the counter and unscrew the top. “I got an email from Catherine Cowles. She’s going to do a signing for us next month.”

Emily’s jaw drops in surprise, and then she hops up and down. “Holy shitballs! She’s my favorite, Bee. I’m going to make an absolute ass out of myself when I meet her. She’s going to think I’m a moron.”

“No, she won’t.” I laugh and take a sip of water. “She seems really kind. Plus, you’ll pull yourself together before then. I need to order some books, have graphics made for social media, and a whole bunch of other things to get ready.”

“We can do this,” Emily says, giving me a mock salute. “No worries, babe, we’re on the case.”

I smirk as she hurries off to help a customer. Grabbing my laptop, I sit in one of the comfy chairs to place my orders and get some other work done for the day.

Just after I email the amazing woman I use for graphics, the door opens and in walks Juliet.

“Hey!” I jump up and wrap her in a hug.

“Hey, bug,” she says with a smile. “How is every little thing?”

“Pretty damn good.” I laugh. “And you? How’s the new restaurant coming along?”

“Aside from plumbing issues in the building, afreezer on back order, and a whole shipment of plates arriving broken, things are good.”

“Oh no. I hope that doesn’t delay your opening.”

She shakes her head and pushes her pretty hair over her shoulder. “I’m determined to make it work. But I’m also trying to make myself relax in the evenings, and maybe some new reading material will help.”

“You left here with a dozen books not that long ago.”

She laughs and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “Honey, I’ve already read them.”

“Well, I have you covered. What are you in the mood for?”

“Sports romance,” she decides. “And maybe some billionaire romance, too.”

“Lauren Blakely and Helena Hunting both have some new hockey releases out that are fabulous,” I inform her, leading her to the sports romance section. “And billionaires? You can’t go wrong with Sadie Kincaid.”

“This is exactly what I need.” She grins and gets lost in reading the back cover blurbs, tucking the ones she wants in her arms.

“Have you talked to Brooks yet?” I ask, and her face falls. “Jules, you live in the same town. The sametinytown. You’re going to run into him sooner or later.”

“I know.” She sighs. “I’m just not ready for the rejection. I figured I’d get the restaurant up and going first, and then go grovel for forgiveness.”

It’s noneof my business.

“Billie, I could use your help,” Emily says behind the counter, catching my attention.

“Go. I’m good here,” Juliet assures me with a grin. “I’m just going to shop for a while.”

The afternoon moves by swiftly, and before I know it, it’s time for me to close the store and head over to Skyla’s dance studio for Birdie’s dance recital.

“Let’s grab a quick dinner,” I say to Simon, who simply nods. “Hungry for anything special?”

“Nope.”

“Are you originally from New York?”

“Nope.”

“Are you at all interested in Emily?”

He pauses. “No.”

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