I’m about ready to tell her all that too. I’ve ticked off two of the suggestions the guys had for me: gift giving and quality time. The one that’s left is communicating my feelings—or, in Del’s words, “Laying your heart on the line and being prepared to have it flame-fried again.”
Quite the visual.
But not right now. It’s been a long day, and I get the sense she’s embarrassed about me finding out about her secret jersey stash. There will be a moment for the deep heart-to-heart, but right now, I want to keep things light, so I let her off the hook.
“Tell me about book club.”
26
Book Club
Rose
Mood Reader is sparkling tonight. The flurrying snow from outside is making all the streetlights dance, and the reflection bouncing off the large front window of the bookstore is magical.
“You think we need more chairs?” Mia sets down a couple folding chairs and shoves her hair behind her ear.
“I’m going to grab a handful from the back.” My spirits are high. I’ve given myself permission to turn off my undercover brain for tonight. I spoke with Lennox earlier, and he assured me that Anton is well looked after. I’m trying to trust that and take advantage of a night of peace.
This is my favorite night of the month. I started a romance book club as one of my first initiatives when Mia hired me on, and it’s ballooned as interest has grown. My sisters started coming, at first to support me and so I wouldn’t be the only one in attendance, but now I think they genuinely enjoy reading the books.
The jingle bell we’ve affixed above the door for the holiday season clangs, and Poppy and Noli tumble in, stomping their boots to rid them of snow. They slough off their jackets and hug me hello.
Poppy inhales. “Smells amazing in here.”
“It’s the books,” I quip.
“No, it’s cinnamon.”
“Oh, right. I made homemade cider.”
“Gram’s recipe?” Noli licks her lips.
I nod. “Duh.”
“Gimme.” The two hurry toward the food and drink table we have set up in front of the check-out counter.
I smile as they stop to hug Mia before helping themselves to piping-hot mugs.
The jingle bell above the door starts jangling again in quick succession as the rest of our club members join us.
Inez, the owner of the Getaway Café in town, has a box in her hands. “I brought cookies and day-old pastries, in case anyone wants one.”
“You’re the best. Thank you.” I point her to the food table, and she joins my sisters.
Willow Dunlap, a septuagenarian with the heart of a teenager, shuffles through the door followed by Collin’s mom, Beverly. She makes a beeline for Noli, and the two women hug hello. I love that book club is multi-generational. We all bring our experiences to the stories we read and, subsequently, to the discussions we have.
And yes, wedoactually discuss the books at this book club. And yes, romance novelsdoprovide great fodder for discussion.
I’m willing and able to fight anyone who says something different.
I’ve heard my fair share of pushback from people who call them a waste of time. Folks who argue they aren’t really literature. The same ones who’ll never give a romance novel a five-star review because it’s not, say,War and Peace.
To them I say, go away.
Romance novels do something for people’s spirits. Romance is an outlet of hope. Believing in love is nothing to be ashamed of. This group functions as a safe space to enjoy this type of story. I’d like to think that we all go out and try to love the people in our real life better after reading and discussing these titles too. What more could you ask for out of a book?
The door whooshes open again, and Abner, who works for the Cashmere Cove Street Department walks in with his wife, Kelsey.The two of them read our books out loud together, which, quite frankly, is the most adorable thing I’ve ever heard. If I don’t find myself a partner who will read out loud with me, I don’t want one.
