“There she is,” Sophie said. “My mom and I used to come to this bookstore once a month and buy dollar romance novels. She always dreamed that I’d have a book in here someday.”
Dash pulled up to the curb and killed the engine. “It must be cool to go into a bookstore and know that you’re on the same level as all of these other amazing authors.”
“I don’t know if I’d say I’m on the same level.” She straightened her shoulders. “Sometimes walking into a bookstore makes me feel like an impostor—like I snuck on the ride without having to pay first. Maybe I shouldn’t be in any bookstores.”
“I read Whisked Away, you know.” He turned to her. Why hadn’t he told her this before? Well, he didn’t want to seem like he’d been spying on her, he supposed, or reveal that he most definitely had to take a shower after reading her particularly steamy sixty-nine scene.
“You did?” Her mouth hung open.
“Yeah, I had to see who I was renting to.” He took off his sunglasses. Sophie looked almost touched by the fact that he’d read her book when, really, reading her words had been nothing but pure joy. “I loved how you described the LA food scene. And the proposal at the end was really sweet.”
“Thanks, Dash.” A rosy flush rushed up her neck as she twisted the pinkie ring again.
Maybe he didn’t need to keep pumping her up, but making her smile was exhilarating, and he wanted more of that, so he added, “You’re a great writer, Soph. I’m glad you’re fighting for your dreams. Not everyone does.”
She held his gaze, and he felt trapped by the rich hazel of her eyes. He really had to stop noticing how they changed color depending on what they were focused on and how gold they appeared when she looked at him: that wasn’t going to do him any favors. He didn’t so much as blink as he stared back, certain that time had slowed. It was then that he realized he really, really liked her. If this were one of his movies, the music would swell, he’d lean across the armrest, gently weave his fingers through her hair, grasp the back of her neck and move toward her lips—
Her phone pinged with a new text, which made her look away and sever their connection.
Dash blinked rapidly and shook his head. He’d had a full-on fantasy sequence going on, and if he didn’t keep his feelings in check, he’d do something neither of them could take back.
“I should go,” Sophie said, pocketing the phone. “I’ll text when we’re done?” She searched his eyes for confirmation.
He didn’t want her to leave, though. He wanted her to get back in the car so they could keep talking about nothing and everything. And, if he was being honest, he didn’t like the idea of her meeting up with some ex she could still have feelings for. So when she got out he said, “Soph?”
She turned back. “Yeah?”
There was that little canine tooth, cresting the corner of her lip and teasing him. Was it possible to find a tooth attractive? Yes, apparently, it was. He so badly wanted to pull her back in, but she wasn’t his, not even close. So he cleared his throat and simply said, “Good luck.”
She paused, as if waiting for more. And maybe he should’ve told her that something felt like it was shifting between them. He no longer saw her as just his sister’s friend, and he wanted to figure that out with her. But after a beat of silence, she just turned and headed toward the bookshop. He should’ve driven off immediately, but he found the thought of leaving her almost impossible.
SOPHIE’S TIKTOK
Ex number two
Name: High-School Sweetheart
Occupation: Sommelier
Length of relationship: Eight months
Reason for breakup:
Disagreement over who Buffy should’ve ended up with—I was Team Spike and he was Team Angel
Weeks until book two is due: 5
“Crushes are bizarre, aren’t they?” Sophie stood outside the entrance to Bart’s Books, in front of a simple wooden door with a carved sign hanging from the top, flanked by ivy vines on both sides and an overhang draped in thick green flowering strands. “In high school there were people I liked and pined after for years. Years! I would just stare at the backs of their heads, write their names in little hearts, and try to partner with them on school projects, and this was totally acceptable. But as an adult? I don’t think staring would be as welcomed.” She blinked a lot, then added, “Even if it would be fun.”
Sophie cleared her throat. “Anyway, High-School Sweetheart was my first real relationship, but we were more like friends who watched Buffy and went to school dances together. Leave me any thoughts you have in the Comments.”
Sophie’s smile faded as she turned to look toward the store.
COMMENTS:
@lalalifebookclub Team Spuffy over here too. I think it was his hair. Or cheekbones?
@hadeelthereader Spike is the only hot vampire ever. Fight me on that.
@1995forever I once had a crush on a cartoon ghost. His name was Casper. I still have a crush on him, actually.
@nostalgiahour Can I keep you?
@1995forever Why did I almost faint at those words?
@nostalgiahour idk, but you’re kinda cute
@1995forever oh…you too.
@nostalgiahour oh… ??
@tokcrafty2me I’m Team Sophie
9
SOPHIE
Sophie walked through the entrance to Bart’s Books and leaned against a wall for support. She’d filmed her TikTok video as quickly as she could—not as fast as she’d run from Dash’s car, but in a rush, nonetheless. Because after the way he’d looked at her with those aviators halfway down his nose, his full lips quirked up in a smirk, and the hint of tattoos poking out from under the rolled-up sleeves of his button-down…
Holy tingling lady bits, Sophie had found him attractive before, but now she might have a crush on Dash Montrose, her landlord and best friend’s brother. No, she…she definitely had a crush on him. Physically, emotionally—she was all in.
A hot summer breeze kicked up the smell of old books. She inhaled sharply, closed her eyes, took in another deep breath, and let the overhead sun warm her face. This place had always been so magical—an outdoor bookshop with endless rows of red-painted shelves. Sophie followed the vines that wrapped around the courtyard from one shelf to the next, wandering over to a section with softcovers in pastels.
Which is when she stopped in her tracks. There, standing next to a shelf and holding a copy of Whisked Away, was Ned. He noticed her and a steely expression crossed his face. Well, she’d been nervous to see him before, and now those nerves were absolutely confirmed. Ned hated her or something. He placed the book back on the shelf, rocked on his heels, and gestured toward an empty patio table. “Shall we?”
Sophie supposed they would, even though confrontation was something she actively avoided. Now that she was here, and just a few feet from Ned, there was no getting around talking to him.
They sat in the courtyard and the hard metal of the chair pressed into her back. Ned rested his chin on his fist. To Sophie, he still looked like the guy she’d dated in high school—skin tanned from working outside, leather bracelet, thick black hair, and high cheekbones—but he’d added a beard and a collared shirt.