Page 107 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

Tally waves her hand. “Ignore them, Daisy, you’re going to love how you look!”

Daisy eyes my sister and then lets out a loud moooo.

I must admit, for a cow, Daisy is pretty. Especially with her copper hair trimmed and styled. But as much fun as I’m having with the girls, I wish I was with Monty like we planned tonight.

It’s only been a day since I last saw him, but I miss him. It’s not just about sex—though I wouldn’t mind more of that—I miss him.

I should force myself to take a break from our late-night rendezvous because of how I feel. How addicted I am to him.

And also because there’s an expiration date on this relationship. A time when I won’t be able to kiss him, and he won’t look at me the way he does now. If he stays in town, what will it be like seeing him and being unable to touch him? Even worse—my stomach twists at the thought—what if he leaves?

I take in the scene in front of me: the pizza boxes—open and picked over—that are spread out over the salon, the empty bottles of prosecco, the group of women gathered here to see a cow get a haircut. This world must be so different to Monty’s in New York.

And there is a strong chance that one day, maybe one day very soon, Monty is going to grow tired of this quirky little town and go back to his exciting city life.

While I’ll still be here.

I should be focusing on Bonfire and Bliss. Things may be looking up when it comes to the financials but I still don’t have a working computer. And every time I close early, like tonight, or open late, like earlier this week, I’m costing myself business.

Right now, I have a huge number of boxes to open and sort through, which, without the computer, is going to take days.

I bite my lip. I should head back to the store and get to work. Instead, I take out my phone.

Me: What time will you be done bowling?

Monty: Why? Miss me?

I snort.

“Who are you talking to?” Tally asks. The sound jerks my head up and I am faced with everyone’s eyes on me.

I glare at her. “Monty.”

“Tell him I said hi,” she replies with a grin.

Me: My sister says hi.

Monty: You didn’t answer my question, Xuxuzinho. But that’s okay, I’ll go first. I miss you.

Me: Do you want to come over when you’re done? Maybe spend the night?

I bite my thumb while I wait for him to reply.

Monty: Fine. Don’t tell me you miss me. But I want you naked in your bed when I get there.

Monty: Oh. And Penny. Tonight we’re going to do something off my list.

His list? Now I’m intrigued.

Me: Deal.

***

I’m on the floor, a box of books in front of me, cross-checking it with the list I had to write out by hand, when there’s a knock on the glass door. My eyes lift and, when I spot Monty, a short-sleeve navy shirt on, hands stuffed into his jean pockets as he sways in the cool October evening, a huge smile finds my lips and warmth caresses my insides. I toss the book in my hand back into a cardboard box and jump up to meet him.

“You’re not naked,” he murmurs as I swing the door open.

I laugh. “You wouldn’t have been able to get in if I was.”