Fairy Tales and Cappuccinos (Everyday Love #1) - Taylor Rylan Page 0,8

Was this where I expected my life to be? I was thirty-four years old, and my entire life revolved around my bookstore. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a hookup, let alone an actual date. Maybe that’s what I needed. Only I was always left wanting more when it came to those.

I always found someone that wanted fucked, and then he was gone. I wanted to cuddle and talk after. Maybe even wake up beside him and have breakfast together. Was that too much to ask? Weren’t there men out there that wanted more than just meaningless sex?

I scrubbed my hair and body before rinsing, and then I stood in the hot water for a little longer before I got out, realizing that I was suddenly tired. It was early, but after having such a slow and boring day, I was more than ready to call it a day and go to bed.

After I dried off and brushed my teeth, I left the bathroom and pulled out a pair of flannel pants and a T-shirt. I sighed as I climbed into my king-sized bed. Yeah, it was too big for just one person, but at six three, I didn’t fit on smaller beds comfortably. Besides, I could sleep in the middle of the thing and spread out as much as I wanted and still didn’t have to worry about a foot hanging over the side. I considered that a win.

I picked up the latest suspense thriller from one of my favorite authors and opened to the chapter I left off. A few chapters later I couldn’t remember what I’d just read, so I put my bookmark back in place and laid it back on the nightstand before I turned off the light.

Not even the wind whistling could keep me awake, and I quickly gave in and let sleep claim me.

3

Sawyer

“Chris, I promise, it’s fine.” I was walking down Main Street in Pleasant Grove, and I had to admit, it was quite charming.

I saw the draw. The brick buildings, with their glass-front displays, called out to me on a personal level as well as a professional level. Sure, there was definitely room for improvement in some, but most had their shit together, and I saw no reason why they’d struggle with drawing in customers. Others, they got an A for effort—at least they were trying. But some, their windows were lackluster, and I wanted to cringe.

“What are you doing? Did you want to meet for lunch?”

“Hmm, lunch sounds good. Where? I’m walking down Main Street right now. I thought I’d visit some of the shops, see what your little town had to offer.”

“Oh yeah? Where at? And there’s a diner a block west of Main Street. How about there?”

“Diner food. Sounds fantastic. What time?” I stopped in front of a place called Fairy Tales, and it took too long for me to realize that it was a bookstore. Their window did nothing to attract attention, and it was only when I looked through it and saw shelves of books that I had an idea of what the store was.

“Are you listening?”

“Hmm? Probably not. Sorry, I got distracted. What time?”

“The clinic is closed from one to two for lunch.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you there just after one. I want to check this place out. I’ll see you then,” I said absently before I ended the call. A quick glance at my phone told me I had about forty minutes before I was to meet Chris for lunch. That should be more than enough time to check out what I was sure was a cute little bookstore.

Perhaps the Help Wanted sign in the window had something to do with the lack of display? But even then, that didn’t justify the poor signage. I opened the door and was greeted by a chime that sounded more like a doorbell than the traditional bell that I expected.

“Be with you in a sec,” a voice called out from the back somewhere. I wondered if whoever the voice belonged to was as sexy as he sounded because yeah…that voice was one I certainly wouldn’t mind listening to for an hour or two. Especially if he was behind me, moving slowly in and out of me. Damn, I needed to get laid.

“Take your time. I’m just going to look around,” I called back, not really knowing where the person was, but I didn’t want them to rush on my account. I wasn’t exactly sure what I needed,