Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Lou huffed. “Oh, so you can play with a kitten, but we’re expected to work?”
“I pay you to work, Lou. I own the bookstore, and if I want to sit on the floor and play with a kitten all day, I will.”
Before my sister turned and headed to the back, she looked at Liam. “See what I mean? She needs a vacation and also needs a good fu—”
“Go, Lou!” I said, pointing toward the back and cutting off what she was about to say.
She held up her hands as she walked backward. “I’m going! I’m going.”
When I looked at Granny, she stared me down. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I exhaled a frustrated breath before I turned back to see that Liam was standing, and Winnie was holding the kitten.
“I take her home, Rora.”
I bent down. “But she’s my kitty, Winnie. She’s the bookstore kitty.”
“Will she wive here?” Winnie asked.
“No, she’s going to live with me upstairs, but she’ll come to work with me and have her own spot to sleep and play here in the bookstore.”
“I wanna puppy!” Winnie declared as she handed me the kitten and turned and looked up at her dad. “A white puppy!”
Liam winked at his daughter. “Maybe Santa will bring you one.”
Winnie gasped and then jumped in excitement.
Liam glanced back at me. “So, are you free for dinner tonight?”
I chewed nervously on my lower lip before dropping it. My brain told me to tell him I was busy, but my heart won out. “I’m free. Would you like me to bring something?”
A brilliant smile spread over Liam’s face. I didn’t want to read too much into it, but something felt different between us. Something good.
“Just you.”
“And da kitten!” Winnie added.
Laughing, I nodded. “And the kitten!”
I pulled into Liam’s driveway and drew in a long, deep breath. I had no idea why he invited me over for dinner tonight, and a part of me didn’t want to know why. The other part of me was curious as hell. I mean, it wasn’t the first time he had invited me to dinner, but something felt different between us. Maybe tonight was the night I would tell him about my feelings. Yes. Tonight, I was going to be honest with him and myself and tell him how I felt.
After grabbing my phone, I sent Harper a text.
Me: Liam asked me over for dinner, and I’m going to tell him how I feel.
Her response was almost immediate.
Harper: OMGEEEEEEEE!
Me: You think I should, right?
The bubbles began to move, stopped, and then started moving again.
Harper: HELL YES. Like a month ago.
I laughed, then realized she couldn’t hear my laugh, so I typed it out.
Me: LOLOLOLOLOLOL! I’m scared, Harp. What if I’m reading him wrong and he only wants to be friends, but then what if I’ve been such a chicken this whole time, and everyone is right when they say he has feelings for me as well, and we’re both just being stupid? I’m doing the right thing, right?
Harper: Holy fucking run-on sentence! What is the matter with you, Aurora?
My head dropped against my headrest. I had no idea what was wrong with me, so I couldn’t possibly answer her question.
I jumped when my phone went off with another text.
Harper: Aurora…stop sitting in the car and just go into the house.
Quickly looking around, I slowly shook my head.
Me: How did you know I was still in my car?
My phone rang and I quickly swiped it.
“Hello?”
“Do you want to know how I know you’re sitting in your car still?”
“Yes, please!” I stated in my most offended-sounding voice I could make.
Harper sighed. “I’ve known you a long time, Aurora. I knew you had feelings for Liam before you even knew it. I know you’re worried that you’re going to be setting yourself up for heartbreak, but you’ll never know unless you try.”
“Harp, Hope hasn’t even been gone a year yet, and you want me to swoop in and try for her husband?”
“No, I want you to get out of the car and go have dinner with Liam. See where things are between the two of you and then take it from there.”
A sudden ache developed in my chest. “I’m afraid he’s going to break my heart in two, Harp. I’ve never felt this way about a guy. Not even jerk face.”
“Oh, Aurora. Honey, I know you’re scared, but you can’t live the rest of your life in your bookstore hiding from your own feelings because you’re afraid you’ll be hurt.”
I was about to argue with her, but she was right. That was exactly what I was doing.
“You’re right. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing, and that stops now.”
“I have a feeling that Liam hasn’t invited you over to talk about being just friends.”
Before I could say anything, a light knock on the driver’s side window caused me to cry out.