The Cinnamon Bun Book Store (Dream Harbor, #2)

by Laurie Gilmore

She liked her bookstore. She liked cups of chamomile tea and rainy days and the Sunday morning crossword puzzle. She liked her quiet life.

Goals

all of Noah’s tattoos were on display.

IM HOOKED. IM OBSESSED WITH THE MAN!!!

Noah resisted the urge to tell her they were special because she was here and she was special.

she was convinced she was going to die unkissed. Annie had offered to do the job

True friend

‘Jeanie put on a sundress.’ ‘Excuse me?’ ‘We didn’t make it out of the house, okay?’

She wanted to say more. That he was a breath of fresh air in her musty life, that he was slowly reminding her how to let go, that he was waking her up like the sun after a long winter. But none of that seemed casual.

He led her to where he’d spread out a blanket. A cooler sat next to it and the flip flops he’d already discarded. ‘This is for you.’ He grabbed the large straw hat that sat on the blanket and placed it on her head with a flourish.

IM OBSESSED WITH YOUUUUUU NOAH

‘Yep, close your mouth.’ She held her breath as he sprayed the bug repellent over her legs and arms. ‘I noticed you had a lot of bug bites.’

AHHHHHHH NOAHHHHHHH

Her hand was still in Noah’s and he swung their arms gently as they walked.

AGHHHH

Noah leapt up and darted away from the blanket. ‘Noah, what⁠—’ He was gone before she could finish her sentence, running down the beach, sending a group of seagulls squawking angrily into the air. Hazel clapped a hand over her mouth. He was chasing birds for her. He ran, kicking up sand and waving his arms until the birds were a satisfactory distance from their spot. She held in the unhinged giggles that threatened to spill out. Noah returned out of breath and with a triumphant gleam in his eye. ‘Got ’em.’ He sat down again, sprawling out with his sandwich on his lap. ‘They won’t be bothering you anytime soon.’

STOP YOURE SUCH A CUTIEEE

She shoved his shoulder playfully and he caught her wrist and tugged until she landed on top of him. Her face was a breath away from his.

He’d read just one more chapter and then deal with his own shit...

Life motto

‘Do you want it back?’ She’d already started undoing the zipper when Noah’s hands came to stop hers. ‘No, I like seeing you in it.’ ‘You do?’ ‘Of course. It satisfies some deep masculine urge to mark you as mine.’