Page 48 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

I nod woodenly. “Yup. I should probably”—I hike a thumb over my shoulder—“change.”

“Right.” He chuckles as he readies to leave. “I promised Vovo I’d take her around the market. So I guess I’ll see you in a bit.”

With my lips pressed tightly together so I don’t beg him to stay and maybe brush his lips against mine again, I watch Monty head down the steps toward Tally’s table, where she and Vovo are in deep conversation.

I close my eyes and blow out a breath. Why do I make a fool out of myself every time I’m in Monty’s vicinity? And how in God’s name will I survive these next few months of fake dating without completely embarrassing myself?

The back door opens and Billie appears with my mug. Rosie must have snatched it when she went inside. “Heard you had a bit of a spill?” I groan as she laughs. “I can grab you a clean brewery shirt from the back if you want?”

I glance down at my shirt, which isn’t too bad. “I’m fine. Thanks, though.”

“Okay, no worries. I’ll be out in a bit. Babs and Rayna just sat down at the bar and asked Rosie to explain what DVP is. Apparently, it’s in this week’s book. If I don’t go back quick, she’ll kill me.” Billie shrugs.

If I had to guess, she has no idea what DVP is, either. Billie can only make it to book club every so often because of Quinn and her shifts at the bar. I doubt she has much time to read between all her responsibilities.

Fuck, I can’t send her in blind.

“Um, I don’t know how to say this without just coming out and saying it so…” I flash my hands out dramatically. “Bear with me.”

“Sure, you can tell me whatever.” Billie nods seriously. “I’m a mom, nothing fazes me.”

“Yeah, well, if you engaged in DVP you wouldn’t know who the dad was.”

Billie’s face scrunches in confusion. “Huh?”

I don’t know what comes over me but I can’t seem to stop myself as I make a circle with one hand, and take two fingers from the other, thrusting them repeatedly into the hole. “It’s when two men penetrate her at the same time.”

Billie’s eyes flare wide and she points down between her legs. “In there?!”

I nod as she glances back at the door before taking a deep breath. “Okay, I can handle that.”

I laugh and watch as she heads back inside. Better her than me.

Still smiling, I settle at one of the little bistro tables and finally let myself relax with my drink.

I open up Instagram while I wait for the girls and am surprised by the absurd number of notifications at the top of my profile. What the…I’ve gained like four thousand followers?!

I search for the source of what has garnered so much attention and realize it’s from yesterday’s post—the one about the book boyfriend. I start reading through the comments and giggle at the excitement from all my new followers.

Oh, tell us more! Is he hot?

We need updates!

What exactly is a book boyfriend? Is he real?

Oh is he a fake boyfriend? Why do you need a fake boyfriend?

Below that comment there’s one in response from a name that has me smiling.

theredheadedsmut: Who says she’s the one who needs him? Maybe he needs her.

I snort. That sounds like something Rosie would say. I keep scanning and am excited when I see that one of the top liked comments is a question about the book I posted.

Oh my god I read that book and it was SO good. Where can I buy more like it?

There’s a link in her bio to a store. Maybe try there, someone else replied.

I bite the inside of my cheek and quickly tap out of the app to pull up my Amazon affiliate link. Holy shit. That book is making me money! There’s been over a hundred purchases since yesterday morning.