Secondhand Romance by RoseAnn DeFranco

Author:RoseAnn DeFranco [DeFranco, RoseAnn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, contemporary, beach, comedy
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2013-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Chaos reigned in Second Chance Books. Mia had correctly predicted a large crowd with over thirty women in attendance when she normally averaged seven. Tony’s mother greeted her warmly when she arrived. The neighborhood turned out in droves to get a glimpse of the woman rumored to be involved with one of the towns’ first sons and Mrs. Iuliano was the belle of the ball.

The Twilight discussion didn’t carry much in the way of literary merit. When the hot actors from the movie and their personal lives became the topic of conversation, Annie checked the urns to see if someone slipped something a bit stronger than caffeine in the coffee. Eventually, they migrated to the subject of legends which turned to the Jersey devil, fact or fiction?

“I don’t know about any creature living in the Pine Barrens,” Mrs. Iuliano said. “But I do know I raised three Jersey devils right here in Audubon Springs.” Peals of laughter followed. “Of course, it only takes a good woman to turn things around. Look at Vince and Rafe, married, and settled with children. Now I just need my Tony to settle down.”

Every eye in the shop turned to Annie who turned bright red and busied herself with tidying what little remained of the refreshments.

The ladies just started to disperse when Tony arrived. His presence somehow signaled the end of the meeting with Mrs. Iuliano leading the charge. The women chattered and knowing looks passed while they made their way out the door. From the store window, Annie watched a group move like a pack across the street and down to the Family Diner. She and Tony were on the menu for discussion tonight.

“Big crowd,” he said over the retreating voices.

“Yes.”

“Is it always like this?”

“Not at all.”

“Yeah, and mostly they weren’t here to talk about whining Bella and her doting Edward,” Mia said, appearing at Tony’s side. “Annie, the ladies would like to read Emma next. Your mother suggested you might like to participate in the discussion,” she said to Tony with a straight face.

Annie hid her smile behind her hand and tried not to laugh.

Tony caught her reaction and glared at Mia. “Weren’t you just leaving?”

“You kids have fun tonight!” Mia waved on her way out.

Silence echoed in the store following the ringing of the bells. Tony shoved his hands in his pockets, intent on looking at everything in the shop except Annie. He wore faded jeans and a stone-washed blue Life is Good T-shirt, practically dressed up for Tony. She looked at his muscular arms, scanned the length of him, and inhaled deeply. Long and lean, he looked like a man with zero body fat. Annie wanted to touch him to find out for herself. What would happen if she did? What would happen if instead of waiting for him, she took the move right out of his hands?

Based on last night, she should fear another rejection. But, after seeing things from Mia’s perspective, plus the enthusiastic endorsement from the book club ladies, his mother included—why not jump is scrumptious bones right now? She licked her lips.

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