Page 34 of Hot Mess Wedding

Rumor has it that said benefactor made it imperative that the store was to be run by Astrid Dubois because at one point her grandfather owned the store. Back in its glory days.

The bookstore is two stories of amazingness with dark wood shelves that practically go floor to ceiling. Then there are these cozy vignettes throughout and a cafe at the back with coffee and baked goods. And if my husband doesn’t bring me one of those baked goods soon, I might have to send out a search party.

Astrid comes by the table where Paige and I are set up to check on us.

“Do y’all have everything you need?” she asks.

“I think we’re good,” Paige says.

“Paige, your husband is causing quite a stir in the cafe wearing your baby around like that. So cute,” Astrid says.

Paige beams.

She has every right to because my nephew is the cutest! He makes my heart flutter every time I hold him. Since this is the time of year when Paige and Cam live in Texas—they split their time between her home state and Lake Tahoe where we grew up—I get to hold him a lot.

But it’s given me baby fever in the worst way. I’m telling Ian later that I’m ready for him to knock me up. As if my mere thoughts could conjure him, he steps over to the table.

“Hey sugar baby. I wasn’t sure which one you’d want because they had a new one to offer, so I got you one of each.” He sets down two plates.

I look down at the near identical looking chocolate croissants. Though one of them has some chocolate glaze drizzled over the top.

He points to the plain one. “Regular chocolate croissant.” Points to the drizzled one. “Nutella croissant.”

“Oh my God.” I grab the Nutella one and take a bite. My eyes roll back in my head and I moan.

“That was my idea,” Astrid says, beaming. “Isn’t it delicious?”

“Where’s Cam?” Paige asks, looking around.

“I’ve got yours right here, babydoll, don’t panic,” Cam says. He’s got a plate in each hand while my nephew sleeps strapped to his chest.

“Readers will start to arrive in about fifteen minutes for the book club. Then we’ll open it up to the public. Let me know if you need anything,” Astrid says.

She’s adorable, that one, with her pixie-cut brown hair and big blue eyes. I keep trying to think of someone to match her up with. Guess that’s the romance author in me; I’m looking for love everywhere.

Ian leans down to kiss my cheek. I turn briefly so I can whisper in his ear.

“I want you to take me home tonight and put a baby in me,” I say.

“Goddammit, Cleary,” he growls. “How fast can you sign books?”

***

I hope you loved Ian and Cleary’s story. Please considerleaving me a review. If you missed Ian’s younger brother’s book, you can grabZanenow.

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