The Bookworm's Guide to Faking (The Bookworm's Guide #2) - Emma Hart Page 0,79
have to start going outside like a dog. I almost fell into the bowl last night when I was half asleep. He didn’t even sleep at my place last night.”
Saylor looked between us. “How are you turning my crisis into something about you?”
“Because it’s not a crisis,” I said simply. “You need to get laid. You’re attracted to Dylan, and you’re only pissed off because you know sleeping with him would be a bad idea.”
“It would be a bad idea,” Saylor insisted. “We live together, and we live together quite well. We don’t have to see each other a whole bunch, we like the same shows, and he doesn’t care that I spend half my evenings out and the other half in bed with a book. Sleeping together would change all that, so no. It’s not happening.”
“What about dating again?” Kinsley suggested. “It’s been a while. It’s almost Valentine’s. We could do a speed dating thing here at the store.”
“Speed dating? Ugh, please.”
“That could be cute,” I agreed. “Two age groups. Under thirty-fives and one for over thirty-fives. We have enough time to plan it, and if we do it the weekend before Valentine’s people could set a real date.”
“Every time!” Saylor threw her arms up again. “You know what? I’m not speed dating. I’m not any kind of dating. Men are intimidated by me, you guys. That’s why it doesn’t work. I’m too much of a contradiction for them, so screw them. I’m becoming a lesbian.”
“You did have that thing with Tori.”
“I was drunk.”
“You just said you were going to be a lesbian.”
“Oh, but then I’d have to date drama queens like you.”
“Says the one being a drama queen,” Kinsley muttered.
“You’re starting to get on my nerves.”
“You’ve been on my nerves for the last week.”
“Shut up,” I said firmly. “Saylor, you have three choices. Fuck Dylan and get it out of your system. Go and date and find someone else to jingle your bell, or suck it all up and masturbate in the shower.”
Saylor blinked at me. “You’re weird since you got a boyfriend. What did you do with Holley?”
“I opened up,” I replied. “I’m… letting go.”
“Yeah, right, okay.” She snorted. “Did you sort his closet out yet?”
“That thing was a mess.” I pointed at her. “Worse than yours.”
Kinsley blew out a breath. “Oof.” Her phone buzzed and she picked it up. “All right, that’s our lunch ready. I’ll run to the café and pick it up.” She tossed her coat on and wrapped her scarf around her neck since Montana had decided we were still in the deep throes of winter, then left.
The bell jingled.
“Seriously.” Saylor’s voice was soft. “I’ve never been in this position. I don’t know what to do, Holley.”
“Do you have feelings for Dylan?”
“Yes. No. Maybe. I don’t know.” She slumped against the register. “We’re friends. That’s how Ivy and Kai fell in love. Kinsley and Josh. Hell, even you and Seb were friends. Both times,” she added as an afterthought. “I just don’t know. Maybe I need a break. A few days away from him. Can we go away? Me, you, and Kins?”
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Of course we can. That new spa just opened in Helena. Maybe we drive up there for a weekend. I can check prices.”
“Yes! Okay, yes. Thank you.” She patted the top of my hand. “I’m going to go find some romances for a Valentine’s display. See if we can’t sell these suckers some books while they’re doing their stupid speed dating.”
I smiled as she disappeared into the store. I wasn’t used to seeing her all flustered, and it was really kind of hilarious.
Especially over a guy.
A guy she wasn’t even dating.
The door to the store opened, and Seb walked in. “Hey,” he said. “Are you busy?”
I shook my head and kissed him. “No, just waiting for Kinsley to get back with our lunch. How did your appointment go?”
“Three more months of rehab.” He sighed and leaned on the counter with a shrug. “My shoulder isn’t quite strong enough, but my doctor said to give it two weeks and I should be able to start going back to training with the team once or twice a week.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Maybe. I just don’t know, Hol. What if I hurt my shoulder again? I’m screwed if I do that. I could ruin it for life, and I’m not sure I could take another recovery period like this. There has to be a better option out there.”
I rested my hand on the side of his face. “It’s your choice. I’ll support you whatever you decide.”
He laid his hand atop of mine. “I know you will. I always wished there was a real coach closer to White Peak when I was a kid. We had to travel an hour every time and it served the entire corner of the state.”
“Well, not to be that person,” I said, straightening up. “But it’s not like you don’t have the funds to do it. Elliott would probably help you, and Dylan definitely would. Not to mention Josh, Kai, and Colt all played in school with you. You wouldn’t be short of hands.”
“I know. Dyl and I have talked about it during our sessions.”
“You have?”
“I was just venting.”
“I’m not annoyed.” I smiled. “You don’t have to tell me everything, Seb. I’m glad you have someone who gets it you can talk it all over with.”
“You’re the best.” He leaned over the desk and kissed me softly. “I just need to figure it all out. Weigh up the risks of going back to the team, talk to my agent, stuff like that.”
“What about your contract?”
“There’s an injury clause.” He straightened up. “If I suffer an injury that leads to retirement, they’ll pay out the remainder of my contract which, in this case, is pretty much another four years. But that’s confidential, so don’t say anything.”
I mimed zipping my lips.
“Anyway, I don’t wanna think about that right now.” He looked around. “Saylor not here?”
“In the storeroom. She’s hunting down romance novels for our speed dating night.”
“Your what?”
I gave him a quick explanation of what we had planned and how we’d gotten there.
“Ah, now it makes sense.” He nodded. “Dylan has had something on his mind lately. If Saylor’s feeling that way, he probably is, too.”
“Do not meddle,” I warned him, holding up a finger. “She’s determined not to go there. They live together, and I think she really values his friendship. She’ll figure it out.”
“I’m sure she will. I know he’s comfortable living with her, so I doubt he wants to change the status quo, either.” Seb checked his watch. “I have to go. I have to run home and change before I meet Dylan. We’re converting the garage this weekend and have some stuff to buy.”
Ah, right.
The home gym.
That little gem had been my idea—and it meant I’d finally been able to sort those boxes out.
He leaned over and kissed me, humming as he did. “See you for dinner?”
“Did you bake me cookies?”
“Maybe.” He bopped me on the end of the nose with his finger. “You’ll have to find out.”
“Meanie.” I pouted.
He grinned. “Love you.”
“Of course you do. I’m the best.”
“Holley.”
“Fine.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and adjusted my glasses. “Love you, too, baller.”
THE END
Thank you for reading The Bookworm’s Guide to Faking It! If you liked it, you’ll be happy to know the series continues with Saylor’s story in The Bookworm’s Guide to Flirting.
THE BOOKWORM’S GUIDE TO FLIRTING
The Bookworm’s Guide, Book Three
What I thought I’d get on Valentine’s Day: a card.
What I got on Valentine’s Day: a blind date with my brand new roommate.
Let it be known that I, Saylor Green, am wholeheartedly against blind dating. I think it’s superficial, unnecessary, and designed wholly to force people into relationships they aren’t ready for.
It’s me. I’m people.
So when Dylan Parker takes the seat across from me, I’m ready to dismiss him at one glance.
The problem? He’s hot and funny and sweet and the exact kind of guy I read about in the romance novels I sell like hotcakes in my bookstore.
He’s also my new roommate.
Who likes to walk around in his sweatpants and peer over my shoulder and comment on all my online dating escapades.
When he offers to help me flirt my way to dating success, I’m all for it.
But what am I supposed to do when the only person I want to flirt with is... Dylan?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over fifty novels and has been translated into several different languages.
She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs.
Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud.
Yes, really. She’s that sarcastic.
You can find her online at: www.emmahart.org