Page 104 of When Forever Falls Apart

And now, as I stare at the oak shelves adorned with all the beautiful editions, a sense of satisfaction washes over me.

Billie steps out of the back storeroom, a tablet in hand to assist her with the inventory.

“Wow, I can’t believe dragon romance is the biggest seller right now. Who would have thought, huh? I mean, I was never a big fantasy reader, but something about dragon shifters is hot.”

“So you’ve moved on from the one-night stand pregnancy trope?”

Billie presses her lips in thought. “For now. So, let’s go over the roster because this weekend is looking to be busy again.”

None of this would have been possible without Billie—our rock. She’s the glue that holds all of us together, especially since Eva has had to slow down because she’s in the third trimester. When Billie traveled to Europe for two weeks with her cousin, Eva and I were completely lost. Granted, it was only a short time, but her absence made us realize just how much work she does between the café and the bookstore.

“I’m good with the weekend shift,” I quickly tell her. “Olympia and Emily can alternate covering the lunch rush.”

Billie raises her eyes to meet mine, an unusual stare following. “I’ll do this weekend. You deserve a break.”

I let out a snort. “I’m fine, honestly. You know I love working.”

“Yes, I know you do. That’s the problem.”

“What do you meanthat’s the problem?” I ask, with curiosity.

“That’s all you do—work. I think a little work-life balance would be beneficial for you,” Billie suggests softly.

I know exactly where she is heading with this. No, I have not dated sinceheleft. The last thing on my mind is men. Frankly, it’s not even worth thinking about it. Heartbreak is something else. It’s a disease that spreads everywhere, and sometimes it’s incurable.

Billie knows well enoughnotto bring up anything about Elliot. When she traveled to Europe and told me she would be visiting France for three days, I warned her not to breathe a single word of that visit to me.

At the time, it was still too raw.

I snap out of my thoughts, ignoring the pang in my chest that still comes when I think of him.

“Okay, how about this…” Billie continues eagerly. “I take this weekend. You do next weekend. Eva wanted me to head into the city to check on the other café anyway.”

“Fine,” I tell her. “You’re a pain in my ass.”

“Yeah, but a hot pain in your ass who loves working here, just in case you don’t know.” Billie grins.

I throw my arms around her, tightening my embrace. “You’re my lifeline.”

Billie holds on to me, then pulls back and glances at me wistfully. “Both you and Eva are my lifelines. You’re my family.”

As our eyes begin to well up, we fall into a fit of laughter.

“We’re hot messes,” I laugh with an obnoxious snort. “No wonder we’re single.”

Billie’s laughter slows, but her smile remains on her lips. “I should go. I need to run across town to pick up supplies for the café, then I have dinner with Aunt Yvonne again.”

“Oh, no, what now?” I cringe, knowing this story won’t end well. “Did she marry the prince who claimed he had ten million dollars ready to transfer to her account if she provided him with her bank details?”

Billie shakes her head. “You won’t believe me.”

“Try me.”

“She’s auditioning forThe Golden Bachelor.”

I tilt my head, confused. “The what-now?”

“The Golden Bachelor. It’s likeThe Bachelor, but it’s for people in their golden years.”