Southern Charmer (Charleston Heat 1)

Goodness gracious.

Louise leaps from her chair and walks around the counter, pulling Olivia into a tight hug. Olivia laughs.

“It’s so great to meet you,” Olivia says. “Your store is absolutely beautiful.”

Louise grins at the compliment. “Thank you. We’ve been in this spot since 1982. A lot’s changed since then, but I’d like to think there’s still some magic in this old bookstore. Which is why I’m glad you’re here. I need your help.”

Olivia looks at me, arching a brow. “Help?”

“I may have volunteered you for a small project,” I say sheepishly.

“My romance section is pitiful,” Louise explains, pushing her glasses back onto the bridge of her nose. “I don’t know what to stock, and I don’t know how to draw romance readers into the store. Since you’re writing romance, I thought you might be able to help me fix that.”

Olivia draws back. Her cheeks are pink with pleasure. I slip an arm around her waist, keeping her close.

“Me? Really?” She looks at me. Looks back at Louise. “But I’m not even published. Not yet.”

Louise crosses her arms. “Have you read a lot of romance?”

“Yes,” Olivia blurts. “I think it’s safe to say I’m kind of addicted to it.”

“Then you know which authors to buy. What’s new and exciting. Debuts that are worth reading.”

“Well. I’m no expert. But I have been keeping up as best I can, especially now that I have an eye towards publishing.”

My turn to raise a brow. “You do, huh?”

“I do,” Olivia replies easily, grinning. “I read a lot of romance blogs—it’s a good way to find out about the books everyone’s talking about. I signed up for an author profile on Facebook and Twitter, so I can follow reviewers and other authors. I’ve even reached out to a few with questions I have. And of course I’m always poking around the charts on my e-reader, looking for my next read.”

Louise nods. “Sounds like you know a hell of a lot more about romance than I do. Would you be willing to help me grow our readership? I’m thinking together we can come up with a plan to spread the word and get readers inside the store. We’d pay you, of course. And we’ll help out however we can when you decide to release your fabulous book.” Louise’s eyes dart to me. “Eli’s talked nonstop about how great it is. I’m excited to read it.”

Olivia’s blinking, hard. My heart thumps inside my chest. If she commits to helping Louise, then she could very well be committing to staying in Charleston.

She could be staying with me. Writing her books. Chasing down her dreams.

“Yes,” Olivia says at last. “Yes. I’d love to help! I’m so—truly, I’m so honored you guys thought of me. I already have lots of ideas we can start with. We can do signings—maybe get a few local romance authors to pop in. We could even put together a local book club that’s dedicated exclusively to reading romance…”

My heart swells. Then it bursts.

I resist the urge to tug her in my arms and pick her up off the floor. I give her side a squeeze instead, pulling her a little closer against me.

I hope this means what I think it does.

Judging from the way Olivia’s glowing again, I’d say the chances are good.

I wonder if she really would move in with me. We practically live together these days anyway. I know things are happening fast. But I’ve never felt more sure about a girl.

I’d like to think Olivia feels sure about me, too.

Maybe I’ll bring it up on Monday. My day off. Make a big brunch. Make love. Then make my move.

Together, the three of us sit down behind the counter and chat everything and anything romance. Must buy authors, important new books. Topics to touch on. Covers that caught our eye.

Seeing Olivia and Louise hit it off over piles of romance paperbacks fills me with a deep sense of satisfaction. By the time we have to go, they’ve already exchanged numbers and email addresses, and have made plans to grab dinner later this week.

Olivia is vibrating with energy on the ride home. I think about how different the girl sitting next to me is from the one who walked into my kitchen how many weeks ago. That girl hid her passion. Suppressed it.

But this girl right here? She’s blooming with it. It’s in her eyes. Her smile. Her fingers and her mind and her body.

“So?” I say, turning my head a little to look at her at a red light. “Good surprise?”

Her gaze softens. She smiles, reaching across the console to put her hand on my cheek.

“The best surprise ever. Well. The vibrator was pretty great, too. All your surprises are great, Eli. But this one was extra thoughtful.” Her eyes lock on mine. “Thank you. For everything.”