The Fiction of Forever (A Stand By Me Novel Book 2) (26 page)

BOOK: The Fiction of Forever (A Stand By Me Novel Book 2)

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The only other customer in the store exits and I refocus on Josie. “I’m browsing.”

“Sure. Let me point out some sections of the store. We have self-help in front of you. Popular fiction books on all these stands near the front middle. Popular non-fiction near the back. Fiction organized by genres and then author on the walls.” Josie points to a poster mounted behind the counter. “There’s a map of the store. Or ask me.”

“Non-Fiction. Is there a book about Nashville?”

“Too many to list. Follow me.” She leads the way to the left wall of the store. “Are you looking for a travelogue? Or a historical?”

I lift my shoulders, attempting a casual shrug. “I’m visiting. It’s my first time.”

She glances over at me before striding to the end of the shelf. “A Nashville virgin. You’ll want tourist stuff then. There’s so much to do that you’ll have to be selective.”

“I’m thinking about sticking around. Moving here, if I can find a job and a place to live.”

“Really? We must’ve made some impression on you. You aren’t a musician, are you?”

“No.” I pause for a minute. “I think I’ve seen you before. Were you eating lunch at Dastardly Bastards the other day?” I deliver my words slow enough to sound uncertain.

“Oh yeah. I eat there all the time. Good burgers.”

“You were at a table near me. I think you might’ve been with your boyfriend.”

She snorts. “Leo? No. He’s my brother. But you just reminded me of something. Are you looking for a house? Or an apartment?” Josie pulls a book about Nashville restaurants from the shelf and hands it to me.

“What?” I’m confused.

“You said you need a place to live. There’s an apartment in Leo’s building that’s empty. It’s for rent if you’re interested. The rental has these amazing high ceilings. Leo’s been hoping it doesn’t rent because the last renters were partiers and drove him insane. But you don’t seem the type to swing from the—”

“Can you give me the info? I’ll check it out. That would be amazing.” I pull out my phone. Some things are meant to be and I know without any doubt, I’ve been handed a plan.

“Let me see what info I’ve got.” She leaves to search on her laptop.

“I’m so glad I stopped in here.” I walk to stand in front of the counter and pick up a brochure that I have no intention of reading.

“I found the number. There’s a couple of guys who own a bakery and the apartments. Here’s you go.” She flips a Dog Ears Bookstore business card over and writes on the back, then hands it to me. “The apartment is above the bakery. I thought about renting it myself, but I don’t want to live so close to my brother. I love him and all, but…you know. I need some privacy. But he’s great,” she adds. “You’ll love him for a neighbor.”

“Is your brother a singer? I mean, he looked familiar. Maybe I’ve heard him play.” I’m reaching for anything to keep the conversation going about Leo.

“No. He’s a writer.”

“Oh.” I take a minute to grab a book from the shelf. “So, what kind of stuff does he write?”

I’m waiting for her to tell me all about the blog. Suddenly I’m not sure this is going to be easy. It’s not likely that she’ll just outright tell me where he stores his writing inspiration.

“Oh, he wants to write the next great American novel. We’ll see. He’s actually pretty good.”

She’s not answering my question. I want to talk about Mr. Expose, but I can see it isn’t going to happen. I slip the card into my pocket. “I’ll call as soon as I leave here. Thanks. And I’ll take this book.” I slide the hardback across the counter.

“So, the apartment’s small. It’s just you? No husband or kids?” Josie asks.

My pulse quickens at the thought of Wesley and how I begged him for a baby. No wonder he didn’t want a child. He already had one and a wife to spare. I shift and look at my left hand. “No husband. I’m a widow.”

“I’m so sorry.” She has a funny expression on her face. That awkward look people get when they wish they could suck back the words they’ve said earlier. I know the feeling. Explicitly.

She concentrates on her register and rings up the book. “That’s $24.99.”

I hand her my credit card. “It’s only me, starting a new life.”

A life without regrets and with my eyes wide open.

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Acknowledgments

B
ack in my naive days
, I thought writing a book would be easy. Simply dream up the stories and put them on the page.

So very wrong. Tragically wrong.

Here’s the page where I do an inept job at thanking the people who help me make this happen. It’s almost like that saying about the best friends you can call at midnight. All I have to do is write a note and these ladies come to my aid.

I couldn’t do this without the support of the following writers, readers, artists, and got-your-back people.

Critique partners and beta readers—the people who sweetly point out the good and the you’ve-got-to-be-kidding me: Abbie Roads, Mandy Dismang, Jen Crane, Audrey Estes, and Holly Goslin.

My personal cheering squad at
READerlicious.com
: Christina Delay, Kathleen Groger, Jennifer Savalli, Kelly Crawley, N. K. Whitaker, Jenn Windrow, Carol Storey Costley, Sandy Wright, S. B. McCauley, and Abbie Roads (yes, I know she’s listed twice in this piece!).

Thank goodness for the talent of the people who make me look presentable: Nancy Cassidy, editor; Najla Qamber, graphic design; Kelsey Keeton, photographer; and Don Allen, model.

You all make the book world a better place.

About the Author

B
rinda Berry lives
in the southern US with her family. Brinda is obsessed with cairn terriers, Kings of Leon, new technology and sandy beaches. She's also terribly fond of chocolate, coffee, and books that take her away from reality.

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