The Boardwalk Bookshop by Susan Mallery

Author:Susan Mallery
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: MIRA Books
Published: 2022-03-07T15:15:07+00:00

* * *

“You’re in a mood,” Rita grumbled before turning away and pushing a cart of books toward the center of the store. “Keep this up and I’ll ask for a raise.”

Bree watched the older woman stalk away and knew this time Rita’s snippiness was her own fault. She had been in a mood for days. She also hadn’t been sleeping, couldn’t eat and no matter how many miles she ran or biked, she couldn’t stop thinking about Harding. Or rather what he’d said.

I’m falling in love with you.

Love. She didn’t believe in love or trust people who said they loved her. Why couldn’t he just want to fuck her? She’d still say no, but at least desire made sense to her. She could trust wanting, but love?

“Asshole,” she muttered before doing her best to focus on work.

She helped customers, rang up purchases, rearranged displays and, after the store closed, dusted every single shelf. It was nearly ten by the time she admitted that she was avoiding going home because at least at work, she could stay busy enough to pretend she wasn’t thinking about Harding. Plus the whole lack of sleep thing.

I’m falling in love with you.

The words echoed in her brain, making her feel raw and exposed. Or worse, vulnerable. She didn’t do vulnerable—not ever. No one got inside. She never shared her heart or put herself at emotional risk. She’d spent the first twelve years of her life begging for her parents’ attention and the last two of her marriage knowing she’d been played. Love was for suckers and she was never going to be a sucker again.

She checked all the doors, set the alarm, then let herself out the back. On her way to her car she saw the lights on above the surf shop, where Sad Guy had an apartment.

Before she knew what she was doing, she found herself walking purposefully toward his building. While she had no interest in the man, he had said he wanted to have sex with her one more time, so he could get over her. Fine. If he wanted to have sex, she’d have sex with him. She would give herself to another man.

The coldhearted act of betrayal would destroy whatever was going on between her and Harding. He would be horrified and realize she was an awful person and then he would go away. Problem solved.

She reached the side door and rang the bell. After a few seconds his voice came over the small speaker by the bell.

“Yes?”

“It’s Bree. You said you wanted one last time. I’m here.”

Seconds later he buzzed her in.

Sad Guy was waiting at the top of the stairs. She did her best not to look at him as she walked into his large, airy apartment. She’d been here a couple of times last January. The furniture was the same—a beachy combination of palm prints and hardwoods. She dropped her purse onto a side table and toed out of her shoes.

“I don’t understand,” he said.

She forced herself to look at him.

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