Page 17 of A Little Bit Engaged
“Thanks, but Brody is picking me up.”
To plan a wedding that will never happen.
Cara shuddered before regaining her composure. She hit the button on the seat belt. “Have a great day doing whatever it is you do.”
Amusement filled his eyes. “I make people money.”
“Well, I hope you make a lot of it.”
“Always.” His grin lit up his face. “Go find the perfect books for your customers.”
Cara slid from the car. She used her key to open the glass door, stepped into the bookstore, and then locked the door behind her. The store didn’t open for another hour, but she used this time to review customer requests.
The scents of books downstairs and fresh-brewed coffee from the café area upstairs lingered in the air. Cara inhaled deeply, filling her lungs with the aroma. Her nerves didn’t calm completely, but the smells lessened her on-edge feeling. She was where she needed to be. All she had to do now was keep her mind focused on her job.
After depositing her coat and purse in her locker in the back room, she went to her desk near the front counter. Seeing Book Concierge written in a script font filled her with pride. This wasn’t the job she ever expected to have, but she enjoyed finding the books customers wanted and searching for others that fit their needs. With her repeat customers, she often suggested books they might enjoy. Some now used her as their personal shopper. She’d wrapped more presents over Christmas than she had in her entire life.
Her hours and salary had been increased in November, but she still wasn’t earning what she had as a librarian, nor did she have the same benefits. Six months free rent would reestablish her savings account, which she’d drained after losing her job. She would have to see how much the engagement ring was worth before asking the library for permission to start the new programs.
At least something good would come from this engagement charade.
As her computer booted up, she checked the customer request forms. The second in the stack brought a much-needed smile to her face.
Brett Matthews from Portland, Oregon, who’d done signings at the store for his financial and investing guides, had requested board books and classic children’s literature first editions for his daughter, Noelle. Never mind she was only two months old, but the man was wealthy enough to spend his money on whatever he wanted. Books were never a wrong choice and a favorite purchase of his to make.
“Good morning.” Cassie McKnight came down the staircase from the “attic” portion of the bookstore where customers could enjoy a warm or cold beverage and a pastry while sitting at tables or on comfy chairs. Her blond ponytail bounced. A bright orange sweater fell past her hips and over the gauzy, floral-print skirt swirling around suede black boots. She made a beeline to Cara. “Are you okay?”
“I’m glad to be here and not at my apartment.” That much was true and wouldn’t give away anything. She trusted her boss, but dragging others into the complicated situation wouldn’t be smart. “Please thank Troy for getting in touch with Geoff this morning.”
“We’re concerned about you.” Cassie motioned to the engagement ring on Cara’s finger. “I have no idea what’s going on, but please know Troy and I are more than happy to help you. You’re a valued employee, but you’re also a dear friend to us both.”
Warmth flowed through Cara. “Thank you.”
Curiosity filled Cassie’s expression. “I’ll admit to being surprised by your engagement. You’ve never mentioned Brody Simmons.”
As Cara’s face burned, she studied the ring that felt weird on her finger. “I, uh…”
She didn’t want to lie, but she had no idea what to say that wouldn’t give her away or make her sound like an idiot.
“It’s okay.” Cassie touched Cara’s shoulders. “Every couple has an origin story.”
Except she and Brody weren’t a couple. Despite not being asked out much, Cara remained steadfast that Mr. Right was out there somewhere. The timing just hadn’t been right. Or maybe he didn’t live in San Francisco and a new job somewhere else would put her closer to finding him. Not that she’d applied more than sixty miles from where she lived now. Time to expand her job search? Maybe after the engagement ring was off her finger and Brody left town.
Which meant Cara should forget about the future for now. She needed to concentrate on the present. On her boss. “I thought it was called a meet cute.”
“Tomayto, tomahto,” Cassie joked. “Did I ever tell you how Troy and I met?”
Pausing, Cara thought about it. “I don’t think so.”
“We met when I asked him if he’d be my fiancé for the night.”
Cara’s mouth dropped open, even though Cassie had spoken so matter of factly. “Seriously?”
Cassie nodded. “Even though I told my parents I was happy being single, they kept trying to play matchmakers, so I made up a fiancé. That stopped their meddling until they wanted to meet him, so I asked a stranger in a bar to pretend to be engaged to me during a family dinner. One thing led to another…”
“And you ended up marrying Troy.”
“I did.” Love shone on her face.
