Page 30 of The Last Key
Cindy laughs. “Oh, no. She says reading is her solo activity and discussing the books makes her feel like she’s back in high school. Why do you ask?”
“Oh… I just know she’s read that book. Because we know the cover model slash narrator of it.”
“You know Justin Ayers?” another woman screeches. She appears from behind some shelves at the back of the desk. “Gladys knows him?” She smacks Cindy’s arm. “She’s been holding out on us!”
“You said the next book club is this Tuesday, right?”
“Yes,” Cindy says.
“How would you like to meet him? He’s in town right now,” I say.
The other woman screeches again.
I stifle a laugh and look at Cindy. “How come she’s not leading the book club?”
“Oh, I help, but I have a tendency to get a littlepassionate. I find it’s best if I’m not in charge. I’m Lily.”
“Lily, nice to meet you. I’m Kennedy. So, what do you think?”
Cindy is in a slight state of shock. “If you can convince him, we’d love to have him.”
“He’s one of my best friends. I’ll make it happen.”
“Oh my gosh! I’m so excited,” Lily squeals. “Gosh, he’s so hot. Likehot.There’s this campaign he did with another guy. They were both modeling underwear. It was years ago…”
I’m laughing now.
“Sorry. Uh, that other guy is my best friend, Devon. He runs the inn.”
Her eyes widen and her cheeks go pink. “Oh my god. Really? How did I not know this? And oh gosh, I’ve totally gushed about him to my husband and my husband probably knows him. I’mmortified.”
This girl is my kind of crazy. She reminds me a little of Frannie.
“Are you not from around here?”
She shakes her head. “Grew up in San Diego. My husband is from San Francisco, but he got a job here at the local hospital.”
“Oh, cool.”
“I’m mostly a stay-at-home mom and avid reader, but now that both of my kids are in school full time, I work here part time during the day. And book club is myme time.”
“Well, I’ll try to make it worth your while this week,” I tell her.
“Thank you so much,” Cindy says.
I fish a card out of my bag that has my name and contact info on it.
“Give me a call or a text and let me know when you need volunteers the most. I’d love to help out with that as well. And I’ll talk to Justin tonight and get it all set up.”
“Thanks, dear. Glad to have you here.”
Lily grabs a piece of paper and scribbles something down before sliding it to me. “This is me shooting my shot. I haven’t made many friends here, but you seem nice, so if you want to grab coffee or anything, I’d love that.”
“That sounds great,” I say, slipping the number in my bag. “I’ll text you.”
She does a little happy dance. “Okay. Have a good day!”
“Thanks, you two as well. Take care.”
