I’m too lost in my thoughts to think about what I’m saying before I open my mouth. Too focused on the past to be in the present.

“No, I don’t read.”

The way the pen falls out of his hand and his gaze snaps to meet mine would be comical if I saw it happen to anybody else. But instead, I shrink beneath his disbelieving gaze. I know the incompetence I always feel is on full display. At this moment, he knows I’m a fraud.

“You don’t read?” Confusion mars his gorgeous face. “But . . . you own a bookstore?”

“I inherited a bookstore.” I repeat my earlier words, not loving how exposed I feel. I look at my phone, which is definitely not ringing. “I have to make a call and take care of a few things before tonight. But you met Dani already and she can help you if you need anything or have a question.”

He leans forward, his lips parting, but I cut him off before he speaks.

“Thank you again for doing this. Mona and the other ladies are so excited.” I spin on the well-worn heel of my Birkenstock, forgetting all about manners and only focusing on the fastest route away from Jasper Williams, Author. “Okay. Bye!”

I don’t wait to hear what he says and I sure as hell don’t look back. Not even when his deep, throaty chuckle drifts after me.

CHAPTER 5

I’m not an athlete. Back in high school I played field hockey for the simple reason that it was new, they needed enough people to make up a team, and I really loved the plaid skirts we played in. We were terrible, but I was able to get a letterman jacket and that was all I wanted.

Sports are not my thing.

Where my talent lies is in taking normal situations and making them as awkward as possible.

If awkwardness was a sport, I’d be a goddamn Olympian.

It truly is a gift.

To be fair, though, this is Jasper’s fault too. I thought I had prepared myself to see him again. Yes, he’s an attractive man, but I saw him once and I was prepared.

Joke’s on me, folks.

Because what did he do? Oh, that’s right. He walked into my bookstore to do a reading for an old-lady book club looking like a whole-ass glass of water—and there’s been a drought in Colorado practically my entire damn life.

Damn thirst trap.

Even Collette, who’s been in a perpetually bad mood for the last five years, pepped right up. She might’ve even blushed. I don’t know for sure, though, because after I waved at him like a freaking three-year-old, I turned and ran.

Again.

I stayed behind the front desk, using the customers as human shields until Mona introduced Jasper and it was safe to venture out.