So I do what I haven’t dared to since the day I walked out of the lawyer’s office as the new owner of the Book Nook.

I forget every lie I’ve told, every excuse I’ve made, and I word-vomit all over the table.

“So it all started when my dad cheated on my mom and left us for his new, rich family in the mountains when I was in kindergarten.”

Bring another one, Janet, this is going to be a long night.

CHAPTER 8

I know that getting blackout drunk is bad. However, I really wish I had gotten blackout drunk on my date-not-date with Jasper.

Would my hangover have been worse? Maybe. Would not remembering with vivid detail the way I spilled my entire life story to him over wedge salads and steak be worth hugging the porcelain throne? Abso-fucking-lutely.

I told him about my college boyfriend. How I thought we were going to get married until someone reached out to me on Facebook with pictures of his girlfriend back home showing off her engagement ring. It was like a knockoff version of Legally Blonde. I was Elle Woods minus the money, dog, and Harvard. How tragic.

I cried.

When I woke up the next morning, my cheeks were still stained with black mascara. It was the saddest, most accurate visual representation of my life.

And as much as I’d like to never think of that night again, like ever? It’s burned into my freaking brain, and every time I have a moment of quiet, I remember something else that I told him. Like the fact that I was glad he made money off writing lies since I would probably never be able to afford a down payment on a house trying to sell them.

On the bright side, at least for the last couple of hours, the Book Nook has been relatively busy. Since Jasper’s signing, traffic in the store has picked up quite a bit. Not mortgage big, but pays-bills and buys-organic-occasionally big. Friday nights can be hit-and-miss and I was worried I was going to spend my night standing next to Jasper’s books, wishing I could go back in time. But tonight customers have been drifting in and out, skimming our inventory, and getting cozy in the nook. It’s nothing like Saturday-morning craziness, but it’s enough to keep me busy and to keep my tears out of the crisp pages of his books.

Small wins.

The bell over the front door rings and I look over just in time to see a couple holding hands walk in. They’re locked in conversation. His focus is devoted to her as she gestures with her free hand, her wide eyes and smile taking over her beautiful face.

“Welcome to the Book Nook,” I call to them across the store. “Let me know if you need help finding anything.” So I can get Dani to find it for you.