Behave yourself.
Julie
Never.
“You’re sexting at work,” Blaire says from behind me as the orders keep coming.
“It’s completely platonic, and I’m one hundred percent multitasking. Plus, I’m the boss, and I can do whatever I please.”
“Youcoulddo Nick.”
“Blaire!”
“What? Zero lies detected,” she says.
The door chimes, and Tom Valley strolls in with his perfect mustache. “Jules! My boys are coming for the festival. Caden’s still single.”
“Sorry, Tom! I have a boyfriend now.”
“I heard. But if that city boy breaks your heart, Caden’s just a phone call away.”
I chuckle.
Blaire glances at me. “Maybe you should rub some of that off on me. You have men lined up as backup boyfriends. Meanwhile, I’m hoping the festival fortune teller will predict someone tall, dark, and handsome in my future.”
“Maybe she will.”
“She predicted I’d find love near water last year. I dated that swimmer for two weeks before he ghosted me.”
“Public pools don’t count as near water.”
“Now you tell me!” she says with a laugh.
The afternoon crawls by. Every time the door opens, I hope it’s Nick, but he’s helping Zane and Autumn volunteer for festival setup. According to the book club’s Insta updates, he’s been stringing lights and moving hay bales all morning. He’s officially their new real-life book-boyfriend material. The comment section aggravates me.
“Your fake boyfriend is getting the full small-town experience.” Blaire shows me a photo of Nick helping the fire department set up the stage.
He looks good. Really good. His T-shirt stretches across his chest as he lifts equipment, and his smile is genuine as he talks to other volunteers.
“That man is not faking anything,” Blaire says. “He fits in.”
“He’s leaving on November first,” I tell her. “He’s returning to New York.”
“Why?” she asks.
“I dunno. Because he has a life away from Cozy Creek,” I say, returning to the rush, happy for my thoughts to be captured by sugary drinks.
Finally, three o’clock arrives. Tracy practically shoves me and Blaire out the door.
“Are you going to the kickoff?” I ask Blaire.
“Probably. But I think I’m going home to take a quick nap. I’m exhausted,” she says.
We exchange a quick hug, then go our separate ways.
I pull my phone from my pocket and text Nick.
Julie
