Page 105 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I let out a low laugh as Eli snaps a picture of the cow on his phone. Only seconds later, his phone begins to ring.

“Walker, my man.” He nods as he turns on his heel, still talking into his phone. “She’s fine, I’ve got her. It was a close call, though.” Then he shifts the phone down and mouths, “Bowling. Seven p.m.”

I give him a thumbs-up. This town is so fucking weird.

***

At six forty-five I walk into the bowling alley. I was almost late because I got lost in my writing, but a phone call from Penny at six saved me. I nearly begged her to skip the haircut, especially when she mentioned having to close down the store early, but then I thought better of it. Especially because she pointed out that it was my fault we won the haircut to begin with since I submitted the dessert we made.

When Eli lights up as I sit beside him at the bar, I’m happy that I came. “I’m really glad we’re doing this,” Eli says. “I feel awful that it’s taken this long for me to welcome you back to town.”

I shake my head. “No need to feel bad. I’m just as much to blame. Who else is coming?”

“The Oakley brothers, Fletcher, Walker, Stew, and a few other guys from the fire and police departments.”

I glance around but the lanes still seem pretty empty.

“It doesn’t start until seven thirty,” Eli explains.

I can’t hide my surprise. “Thought you said seven.”

He shrugs. “Figured we could catch up before everyone else arrived.”

“Oh, well, then let’s order a drink.”

Once I’ve got a beer in front of me, I focus on Eli. “How’s your mom doing?” Mrs. Davis was always so kind to us all in high school. And she made the best freaking meatballs and pasta dinners before our football games—trumps any Italian meal I’ve had in New York.

“She’s good, thanks.” Eli grins, always the mama’s boy. “She’ll definitely want to have you over for dinner soon. Good thing you’re taken or she’d try to set you up with one of my sisters. She’s dying for more grandbabies.”

I chuckle. Everyone in our class had a crush on the Davis sisters: Lucia, Giovanna, and Bianca. Bianca was a few years older than us and was every teenage boy’s dream. Luce and G were a few years younger. Bianca has two little girls now, but Vovo told me the other two are still single.

“I am a taken man.”

“Penny’s a good one. I’m glad to see her happy again.” His jaw clenches and his blue eyes turn on me. “Her dickhead ex really did a number on her.”

I sigh. “Yeah, I’ve realized that.”

“You guys serious?”

I spin my bottle on the bar top. “It’s still early but I’ve never felt this way about anyone else in my life.” The words come easy. Despite all my hesitations on love, I know that sentiment is true. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Not sure I’ll have the answer, but shoot.”

“Your dad took off when we were in high school, right?”

Eli nods, his expression uneasy. “Yeah, why?”

“Did that ever make you question love? Ever make you wonder why people get married in the first place? If it can last?”

“Shit,” Eli huffs out. Then he lets out an uneasy laugh. “Well, it didn’t before.”

I take a swig of my beer. “Ignore me.”

Eli narrows his gaze on me. “Is that how you feel?”

I stare at the bottle in my hand. “Maybe. I don’t know. My dad kind of pulled the rug out from under my mom and me when he asked for the divorce.” I blow out a breath. “I’ve never really dated anyone until now so—”

“Shit,” Eli mutters again.