Page 87 of Bonfire and Bliss Bookstore

My father laughs. “Penny must love it.”

“She hasn’t read it yet.” I shrug. “I’m hoping she will.”

My father squeezes my shoulder. “I can’t wait to read it.”

My chest warms and, for the first time in a long time, I feel close to my father. “Thanks, Dad. So what do you think? If you could go back in time, would you change anything about the past? Knowing how it could affect your present?”

My father’s smile falls and he shakes his head. “I think the best you can do is live for the present. Because you don’t know what’s going to happen and you can’t turn back time. And the one thing I know for sure is that I wouldn’t change a thing because everything in my life was worth it. Everything I did gave me you.”

Even though it’s not the answer I’d wanted from him, I offer a smile. What was I hoping he’d say? That he wishes he could go back in time and not divorce my mom? That’s not a reasonable expectation. He made that decision himself. Plus, I’m not sure I disagree with him, either. He’s right; all we have is today. And today, I want to spend some time with Penny.

Luckily, a few minutes later I receive a text message from Penny’s favorite author, which gives me the perfect excuse to do just that.

An hour later I’m strolling down Maple Lane on the way to her when I spot the prettiest trinket in the window at Pretty Things and Paper Rings. I’ve never bought a gift for a girlfriend before and, as I pay the shopkeeper, I find myself both excited and anxious for her reaction.

Outside Bonfire and Bliss, I see Penny has put out another set of planters full of red and burgundy flowers. I smile as I head inside, the bell above the door jangling to announce my arrival.

“Welcome to Bonfire and Bliss Books!” Penny calls from somewhere deep within the shop. It takes a few seconds before she rounds the corner, a stack of books in her hand. Her bangs fall across her eyes and she’s wearing one of her signature cozy cardigans that falls lazily off her shoulder.

“Oh, it’s you!”

The way she says it—like she has no idea how to handle seeing me after last night—only makes my grin bigger. I like that I make Penny Darling flustered, maybe a bit too much.

“It is me,” I say, and then I lift the gift bag in my hand. “I brought you a little something.”

Penny’s eyes widen. “For me?”

I nod. “Can you take a break?”

She glances down at the pile of books on the floor.

“I’ll help you after,” I offer.

“No need. I can take a little break.” She glances toward the front of the store, to the table nestled in the window. “Want to sit there? I can grab us some coffee if you’d like?”

“Do you want a coffee?”

“I’ve had like six cups today,” she says with a small shake of her head. “So I definitely shouldn’t.”

“I’m good, then.”

I follow Penny to the front table and set the present down in front of her. She stares at it for a beat before glancing back up at me. “Do you want me to open it now?”

“Yes, Xuxuzinho.” I chuckle. “I’d like to see your face when you open it. Please.”

She finally settles and pulls at the tissue paper the saleslady stuffed in the bag, only to gasp when she pulls out the tiny jewelry box. “Monty.”

I smile. “Isn’t this what book boyfriends do?” As soon as I say the words, I immediately want to take them back. I didn’t do this for the plot. I did this for us.

Penny moves to flip open the box and sucks in another sharp breath. “Monty.” Her tone is softer now.

“So now you have one for your chest, too,” I explain of the copper flame that hangs from the necklace in her hand. As soon as I saw it, I knew it had to be hers—to remind her of all those nights we spent by the fire. To forever commemorate last night. I hope it meant as much to her as it did to me.

Her eyes seek out mine and she blinks a few times. “This is—” She shakes her head. “This is the nicest thing I’ve ever received.”

I’m already standing and circling behind her as she talks. It’s easier than looking at her when she’s being open with me like this, easier than swallowing down the emotion that’s caught in my throat and taken me by surprise, too.

“Can I help you put it on?”