Page 31 of Fighting Words

I roll my eyes exaggeratedly. “Tell me about it.”

“And a little…closed off,” she adds.

I bark out a laugh. “Oh my god, yes. I needed this. A Nathaniel Foster support group.” I raise my hand. “Sign me up.”

She laughs. “Has he been tough to work with?”

I level her with a glare that says,What do you think?

“I can imagine. Yeah.”

I swallow and study her, thinking maybe it wouldn’t be too awkward if I asked…

“Have you two dated or anything? Sorry if that’s too personal. I just thought—”

Her eyes widen like she’s been caught red-handed.

“Me and Nathaniel?” She clears her throat and looks down, fidgets with the package on the counter, and then finally sighs. “Yeah, I mean. We’ve…kind of gone there. But it was a while ago.”

“Ah.”

Her brown eyes look up, worry-filled now that she’s been honest.

“I won’t bring it up with him,” I promise. “I was just curious. The dating scene must be tough.”

“We’re not totally lacking eligible men.” I arch a brow, prompting her to laugh and continue, “I mean it! There are a few. Nathaniel’s not the only good-looking guy around here.”

Sure, but even still. Nate has to be a cut above the rest. He’s a ten, the total package. Drop him in New York City and the women would turn rabid.

The phone on the counter rings and she shoots me an apologetic glance before reaching for it. “Main Street Books. Alice speaking.”

I motion that I’m going to shop while she deals with the customer on the phone, and then I spend a few minutes browsing the shelves. Back at the cottage, Nate has more than enough reading material to keep me occupied, but I want to support Alice’s shop. I settle on a cozy mystery then grab a Main Street Books tote bag as well. It’s more expensive than I would like, but I’m too embarrassed to say anything after Alice rings it up, so I just hand over my card and cry a little inside.

“Thanks for stopping in.” Alice passes over my book tucked in my new bag.

“Thanks for letting me use your bathroom.”

She laughs. “Anytime. Let me know if I can be helpful with Nathaniel or if you want to hang out while you’re in town. Actually, you know what? A few of us are meeting for an early dinner tonight. Do you have plans? Why don’t you join?”

Plans? With who? The dog and the cat?

“Yes!” I respond, a little too enthusiastically. Then I tone it down as I add, “That’d be great.”

She jots down the details for me before I leave.

Back out on the street, I check my phone. Now that I have cell service, all the cumulated texts I’ve missed over the last day are piled up. I’m expecting hundreds. Y’know, friends in the city wanting to meet up for coffee, loads of people wondering where I am.

Come out with us!

Let’s hang!

Where have you been, girl?!

In reality, I only have three texts waiting for me. One from my mom, one from Andrew, and one from a spam number urging me to check my car’s extended warranty. I don’t even own a car.

My mom wants a progress report and an update for how things are going in England.I worry about you being so far away and without reliable cell service. This just seems like a recipe for disaster, Summer. I don’t see why you couldn’t have stayed in New York.

Andrew is shocked as well.

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