Page 92 of Hate It with You

It’s a warm early spring night, the evening sun shining through the windows of my bookshop as I set up the chairs for one of my Friday night book clubs. Almost every Thursday and Friday night has been booked the past few months, and the request list keeps growing. Different book club groups from around town, small and large, want to use my bookshop as their meeting place. It’s refreshing to see so many people share the love of romance books that I have.

Not to mention that during Benny's week-long visit, he helped me set up my online bookstore. That’s usually what I’m doing when the book club is meeting. I'm packing my online orders and getting them ready to ship out the next day.

Though I’m not the only one who has seen business increase, Alex’s self-defense classes have taken off as well. Some women even filter over from the bookstore to his training courses.

He’s reassured me that I’m the only client he’ll take on a one-on-one basis now.

Both of our businesses are beginning to thrive, with the parking lot almost full every day. The only downside to our newfound success is that it leaves very little room for us to see each other.

The host of the book club walks through the door, and I run them through the current setup for tonight as they unpack their own themed decorations. I let them know I’ll be in the back packing orders, and they can get me whenever they need me.

As I’m packing orders, I reflect on the past five months. I stayed with Alex for the week that Ben was here, and the two of them found they had plenty in common as they worked with me to build a solid business plan for the future. Ben even capitalized on my training sessions while he was here, him and Alex laughing as they sparred in the ring.

The two of them exchanged numbers only to send each other a long string of funny videos and memes, though neither had ever actually written a text. It’s good they are getting along.

After we said goodbye to Benny, I started sleeping in my own room again. Though that lasted for half a night before Alex was crawling into bed next to me. When I complained about him having a key to my place to use whenever he wanted, he gave me a key to his place the next day.

I’ve only ever used it to peruse his bookshelves on my days off when he’s running training classes.

Sienna was over the moon when I told her that Alex and I had finally made things official. Though we haven’t found the time with all of our busy schedules, the four of us have our own group chat so we can eventually go on a double date.

Before I know it, I’ve finished packing orders for the night, and the book club is packing up their chairs, thanking me for another fun night. A few of them even buy some new books to read for their next book club meeting.

After ringing them up, I lock up the front of my bookshop, the sun slowly setting behind the buildings across the street. I’m making my way to the back stairwell leading up to my apartment when that deep voice catches me from behind.

“And where are you running off to? Off to steal another book from my collection?” Alex says.

I turn to look at him. “Actually, I was going to add some books to your collection this time. I figured you could use a bit of diversifying on your shelves.”

He laughs as he approaches me. “I’ll gladly read any book you recommend,” he says as he brushes a strand of hair out of my face. “Steak tonight?” he asks.

My eyes widen at the promise of Alex cooking steak for us. He’s only done it a few times when we’ve found the time to eat together, and each time, he’s made it so good I thought I’d orgasm from the taste.

“Don’t you have a class tonight?” I ask.

He shrugs. “I got Tiffany to cover it. I thought we could spend some time together tonight.”

I’m excited by the proposition, knowing we haven’t had much time together over the past few months, though we’ve never failed to fall asleep in each other’s arms.

“C’mon, let’s go,” Alex says as he guides me up the stairs. Once we’re in my apartment, I take off my shoes, kicking them toward the shoe holder next to the front door.

“I’ll never get used to seeing this place without the mess of unpacked boxes,” he says, closing the door behind him.

I swat his arm playfully as I look around. The boxes are gone, replaced by thrifted furniture and decor. My bookshelves lined against the living room wall, my full collection finally on display. Though I hate to say that it pales in comparison to Alex’s collection, given the fact that he has twice as many bookshelves as I do.

“I’m just going to change, then I can help with dinner,” I tell him. I expect him to begin setting up for dinner in the kitchen, but he follows me instead.

“I love what you’ve done in here. How do you manage to make every room feel so homey?” he says, wrapping his arms around me from behind as I take off my earrings at my dresser.

“Just something I’m born with, I guess.” I sigh sarcastically.

Alex kisses my neck, and I lean back into him, my eyes closing as I breathe in this moment, hoping to burn it into my skin forever.

When I turn toward him, his smile matches my own as I stare into his blue eyes. But when he backs me against my dresser, I say, “Imagine what I could do with a bigger room.”

Alex’s eyes twitch, a light bulb lighting above his head. “I’ll be right back,” he says before running out of the room. The faint click of the front door opening sounds through my apartment, leaving me to wait patiently to see what he’s up to.

When he enters my room again, he’s wearing a hard hat, safety glasses, and carries the same in his left hand. In his right hand, he holds a sledgehammer.