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I shook my head and scooted forward as the line moved. “What brings you out to get fancy coffee on your day of rest?”
“I don’t know if you heard, but my sister’s bookstore is having its first ever author event. My wife and I are excited and wanted to come to support her.”
“Aw.” I fluttered my eyelashes at him. “Where’s Kayla, then?”
“She’s parking. We didn’t want to take a spot near the store—better to leave those for the paying customers—so she dropped me off to get eats and went down to the garage.”
I reached the front of the line before I could respond. So I placed my order, then stepped out of the way and gestured for Austin. “My treat.”
“No way. That’s not how us supporting you works out.” Austin reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. “But I’ll get yours.”
“I can—”
I broke off as Austin told the cashier his order and handed her his credit card at the same time.
“Thanks.”
“My pleasure.”
I waited while he finished the transaction then slid out of the way and down closer to the pickup area.
“I’m proud of you. I think this is going to be great for the store.”
Everything in me warmed. I didn’tneedmy brother’s approval, but I certainly craved it. “I hope so. The authors seem excited about it. All the spots I made available are taken.”
“Nice.” Austin nudged me with his elbow. “I knew you’d figure out what you needed to do.”
“Let’s not be hasty. I don’t know if this is going to be everything I need.” In fact, I worried that it was going to end up being just another expense. I’d bought the books outright—again, because it seemed like my job to handle and because I could put anything that didn’t sell into inventory. So there really was no cost to the authors unless they decided to bring some kind of swag with them to give away. Maybe that was why the authors were excited to sign up? It basically guaranteed them quite a few paperback sales right out of the gate.
“Well, I’m praying it’s the start of something amazing.” Austin cocked his head to the side. “Are things worse than you’re letting on? You’ve seemed preoccupied lately. I chalked it up to this new venture—change, that kind of thing. Is there more?”
I swallowed. It was good I had these changes to blame, because I was fairly certain any preoccupation was coming from my new, secret relationship with Cody. Honestly, most days I was like a giddy teenager—completely incapable of focusing on anything without extreme effort. I figured that would settle down in time. It had to, didn’t it?
“Hey. You in there?” Austin waved his hand in front of my eyes.
“Gah. Are you six?” I smacked his hand. “You’re right about it being change. I’m fine. Good, even.”
“All right. You know I’m here for you if things are bad, right?”
“You always have been.”
“That’s never changing.”
I met his gaze and smiled. I believed he meant it. But I also knew, deep down, that his primary focus was Kayla and the life the two of them were building together. Which was absolutely as it should be. I was capable of taking care of myself and my business. And I really was happy that my brother and his best friend had figured things out.
And now with Cody…was I finally getting closer to finding that for myself?
It was too early to make that kind of leap. It was also incredibly difficult to avoid.
“Order for Austin!”
“That’s us.” Austin started toward the pickup window.
I hurried to catch up—he’d always had long strides—and grabbed the paper bag of pastries and my drink. “Thanks.”
“Happy to do it. I guess Kayla’s waiting at the store. Or we’ll see her on our walk back.”
I nodded and started toward the door.
