Page 15 of Break Me Like a Promise (Oak Valley)

His back to her, he didn’t break stride as she spoke. “Well, Mr. Taylor, I just wanted you to know we represent several commercial kitchen properties. Just something to keep in my mind.”

He heard the tinkle of the doorbell as her words rang in his ears, the idea of something he hadn’t considered warming him as he made it to the bookstore.

15

Dragan Carter leaned against the counter, eyeing June Beaumont as she shelved the new shipment of Young Adult hardcovers. Her long hair glowed gold in the soft light, delicate fingers tracing the spines. She bit her lower lip, a soft sigh escaping. Dragan knew she was anxious to read each book she hadn’t had the chance to.

Being in love with his best friend since kindergarten made sure he noticed every detail.

He sighed and looked to the door for Colton. Dragan had promised June he’d hang her new shelves, and Colton was late with the anchors he needed. Being six foot five lent itself well to those kinds of jobs, but he would’ve done it for her even if she was taller than her five feet. He’d do anything for her.

“Hey, D?” June’s soft voice cut through his thoughts.

He met her green eyes, his heart breaking once more at their wide-eyed, hope-filled forest. “What’s up, J?”

“What do you think about us adding a little coffee and tea station over here?” She walked to the back wall, skirt swishing from the sway of her wide hips. June pulled her cardigan around her, crossing her arms over her chest as she turned to him.

Dragan walked over to where she stood, hyper-aware of his proximity to her. It was natural for them to stand close, even if her warm scent made it almost unbearable. She always smelled like vanilla and wood left in the sun, like the summers they spent reading on The Little Prince Bookstore’s worn front porch. They grew up there, her because her parents owned it and him because he needed an escape from his own family.

It didn’t hurt she was there.

Dragan looked down at June, remembering their 5th grade selves at her parents’ funeral. Her grandma Missy taking over the shop, how that summer Dragan brought June to his favorite spot by Beaver Creek to read. Slowly they’d adapted to life without her parents, and the bookstore became a refuge once more.

She was in the process of taking the store over from her grandma, and wanted to make some aesthetic updates.

“Would you charge or would it be free?”

“I was thinking a free drink with a book purchase? Or maybe a coffee subscription-type service. I was thinking of putting an electric fireplace here,” her hands motioned against the wall, “and maybe the service bar on top. Shelves above that for the goods and shelves on either side. And then some overstuffed armchairs facing the fireplace and throughout the store.”

Dragan smiled as her voice grew stronger with excitement. “That sounds lovely, J.”

She leaned her head on his shoulder, a shock of electricity zipping through his body. “You don’t think all these changes are… too much?”

“Not at all. Your parents would be proud.” He put an arm around her slender shoulders.

The door jingled and Dragan jumped from June. He caught the barest hint of her face falling — disappointment? — before plastering her storefront smile and turning.

“Sorry, did I interrupt something?” Colton stifled a laugh and gave Dragan a knowing look.

“No, nope. No, not at all,” June said, her fair cheeks pink as she made her way to the counter. Dragan caught Colton’s raised eyebrow and shook his head.

Nothing had happened. Nothing would ever happen. Aside from their friendship, there was no way a woman like June could be with a man like him.

Colton shrugged, setting the anchors on the counter. June set a drill alongside them and leaned over the counter. Dragan shifted his gaze from her cleavage, feeling his body tense with the need to know her body as well as he knew her heart. He turned his attention to his best guy friend.

“Why are you late, Colt?”

He scoffed. “Ran into Ruby at Joe’s. Apparently, she’s converting a school bus into a tiny home and doing everything herself.”

June chuckled. “Yeah, sounds like Ruby.”

“Yes, yes it does.” Dragan remembered how independent Ruby had been in high school, when she slowly became a part of their friend group as her and Colton started dating. He’d always admired her spirit and had many conversations with Colton on the impact she had on him. Colton never feeling good enough for her.

Colton clenched his jaw. “Well, it’s dangerous.”

“Careful, He-Man. She’s got this. You know she supported herself in New York City, right? And not in a ritzy neighborhood. But in a crime-ridden, one-of-her-roommates-was-a-drug-addict one.” June stood, spreading her arms across the counter. She was generally gentle, sweet, but she took protecting women — any woman — seriously. And while Dragan knew June and Ruby were only acquaintances, she’d never let Colton walk his hyper-masculinity over Ruby, even just in conversation.

“I—I didn’t know that.” Colton looked at Dragan. “Did you know that?”

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