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I fake my best smile.

I’m avoiding him, actually, but I can’t tell her that.

She walks up to me and hugs me, with Sadie and Shay right behind her.

“Finding nights for all of us to get together is hard enough. If I’m home and free, I’m here.”

“I love that,” Shay says. “I also love that I’m kid-free tonight, but I can only stay an hour. I want space but not too much space.” She laughs, and I give her a side hug. Then I hand her a premade snack plate I brought from the lodge.

I was craving cucumber sandwiches, and the kitchen was more than happy to make some for me, along with cutting up fresh fruit and other meats and cheeses.

“I can only imagine. You and Luca went all out with those kids once you decided to fall in love.”

“Don’t I know it,” she says. “I love them all, but I miss myself sometimes.”

“I hear that,” Sadie says and hands her sister-in-law a drink.

“Before we get into books,” Brooke says, taking her seat on the sofa next to me. “Sadie, did you get the apartment rented out yet? I was thinking I could do a promo at the coffee shop, like if they refer someone who looks at it, they get a free pastry and coffee.”

“Oh! That’s a great idea. For next time.” Sadie looks at me quickly, and then she looks away even faster. “I rented it out yesterday.”

That’s weird. Why would she look at me like that? Oh god, did Preston rent a place away from me? How do we spin that?

“To who?” Shay asks.

“Someone who used to live here,” Sadie answers, but she said enough that I can breathe again.

And it’s enough for me to accept that I didn’t like the idea of Preston moving out.

Ugh.

I’m a mess.

Before I can ask her who moved in—because I’m genuinely curious now—the door at the back of the bookstore opens.

Then my mouth opens wider.

“Oh my god, Kenna?” There is no hiding the shock on my face.

Her cheeks turn a bright shade of red when she spots me.

She looks at me, then to Sadie, and then back to me.

“Oh, hi, Grace.”

I sit there in shock for a moment and then jump out of my seat.

“Oh my god,” I repeat and rush for her. I wrap her in my arms and squeeze tight. It takes her a moment, but her body relaxes, and she does the same.

“I missed you,” I tell her and lean back. “Like a stupid amount.”

I can’t place it, but seeing her face warms something inside of me.

“Yeah?” she asks as if she doesn’t believe me.

“Yes,” I say, and then it hits me. The reason why she’s so unsure. “Gavin doesn’t know you’re back, does he?”

She shakes her head.