Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102620 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 513(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
I put the champagne bottle by my feet and grab the present from her. “You know you didn’t have to, right?” I repeat what I told her earlier.
“Oh, trust me, this was so worth it.” She claps her hands together. “I’m not even going to lie, I got one for myself.”
I laugh as I peel off the wrapping, knowing it’s a book. I see it’s one from Parker Cooper, and I gasp because it’s one that isn’t even out yet. “Oh my God.” I look back at her. “How?”
“Charlie’s cousin, Gabriel, is married to her cousin, Zara,” she explains. “When she came to visit the last time, she caught me reading one of the books and was like ‘this is my cousin.’” I put the book to my chest, my mouth hanging open. “I know, so I told her how we started talking and she got a kick out of it. Then a couple of weeks later, Autumn comes into the office and hands me two books.”
“You kept it from me all this time?” I glare at her.
“Trust me, the hardest part was not reading it and waiting for you,” she tells me.
“I can’t believe this,” I say, looking down at the book.
“Look inside,” she prompts me, and I open the book. I think I scream when I see it’s signed to me.
Sierra,
A good friendship is built on good books.
Thanks for choosing mine.
Cooper Parker
“This might have to go in a glass box,” I inform her, and she laughs.
“After we read it,” she states, and I grimace. “We won’t break the spines,” she quickly adds, “and we will have to take notes on a different paper for our favorite quotes.” I smile at her. “I can’t wait for book club. Now let’s get you unpacked.” She looks around. “Where is Caleb?”
“Um, he’s out.” I look away from her. “He’s going to be back later.” I put the book down on the table by the chair.
“Everything okay?” she asks softly, and I shrug one shoulder.
“We had a difference of opinion, you could say.” I try not to sound upset. “It’s fine. It’ll be okay,” I quickly say. “Nothing a cupcake and a bottle of champagne can’t cure.”
“That means you don’t want to talk about it.” She points at me.
“Not really,” I admit, “especially since I don’t know what to say about it.” I fill her in and tell her what happened.
“I can see both sides,” she says sadly and I nod.
“Okay, enough of this,” I tell her, “let’s unpack and make this library the envy of all libraries.” I change the subject.
“It’s so pretty,” she says when we unpack the last box. “I’m so jealous.”
“Well, how about we trade?” I look over at her sitting in the big chair. “You come over with the baby. I get snuggles and you get to read.”
“Where do I sign?” she chirps and her phone starts to ring.
“Yes,” she answers, picking it up and putting it to her ear, sounding annoyed but the smile on her face says she’s not annoyed in the least, “I’m leaving now.” She rubs her small baby bump. “I’ll see you soon. I love you too.” She smiles even bigger. “Okay, bye.” She hangs up and then looks at me. “I’m sorry.” She gets up. “Lucy is staying at Autumn’s tonight.”
I hold up my hand to get her to stop talking. “Please don’t say whatever it is you are about to say.” I close my eyes and squish up my nose and she laughs. “Go and get back to your man.” She comes over to me and gives me a hug. Then I walk her to the door and watch her walk to her truck before I wave at her and close the door. The sun is setting outside and I see a couple of the stars are already out twinkling in the sky.
I close the door, lock it behind me, and look at the library, sighing happily at all we have done. I pick up the glass of champagne and the glass of water that is on the round table in front of the big couch. I take it to the kitchen and then go back to sit on the couch and stretch my legs out. I put my hand across the back of the couch and I’m going to lay my head down on my arm when I hear the sound of footsteps, and then the door opens.
I sit up as I see him standing there. His hair looking like he’s been running his hand through it all day long. He looks over at me, a sadness fills his face. “I’m sorry,” he says, walking into the room wearing the same jeans he wore the first time we met, but this time he’s wearing a blue-and-red plaid button-down shirt, his sleeves rolled up. “I shouldn’t have walked out on you.”