A Pumpkin and a Patch

by Jennifer Peel

“This is a good deal. Reece is right; this state doesn’t care who broke off the engagement. P.S. I think your pirate just became the hero.”

you could use a pen name. I hear there is good money in self-publishing. Think of it. Noble schoolteacher by day and madam of seductive romance by night.”

It’s not like we ever talked. Sure, I had semi-stalked him and then written a lust-filled story about him, but that hardly made us acquaintances.

I have a feeling he’s a total alpha roll.” Alpha roll was a term Jenna had come up with. It was an alpha male mixed with a cinnamon roll. Meaning he was the perfect mixture of a take-charge man with a heart of gold who would do anything for those he loves, especially the woman he loves.

“I’m still going to make you like me.” “Good luck with that.”

Dearest Ms. Peterson (Or can I call you Josie yet?), I’ve always wanted to be called Your Royal Highness, so I’m your man. When do we get started? All the best, Your Most Royal Highness

“You have to quit calling him the pirate.” I continued to stroll down the aisle while perusing the Halloween candy. I had a little more room left in my basket, and I might need some protein—like peanut butter cups. “Have you ever asked him if he minds being called that?” “Of course not.” “Well, he might like it. Maybe you could role-play.”

“I don’t know about you, but I could always use another good friend. Especially now.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. I’ve always been nervous to talk to you too.”

“I hope one day you’ll trust me, Josie.”

“You know how to keep a man on his toes, don’t you?” “What does that mean?” “I never know what you’re going to do or say. I have to admit, it’s wildly attractive.”

“But I get why you’re going to,” he beat me to the punch. “You just got out of a bad relationship with a man who lied to you and obviously didn’t deserve you. And for some reason, you’re embarrassed by the story you wrote. And you think by not liking me, it will help you continue to run away from that piece of yourself that was exposed to the world. It’s why you always hide from me, but really, you’re just hiding from yourself.”

I swallowed hard, feeling as if Reece were giving me fair warning. If he wanted something, he went for it. Surely he didn’t want me. Right?

reality didn’t meet her expectations. It’s not all cute pictures for Instagram. Babies and toddlers are hard work,

“What if I don’t want to be the pirate girl?” “That would be a shame. That girl …” He pulled my hand up, and close enough to his mouth that I could feel his breath dance across my skin. “That girl makes me dream of sailing around the world and hot, sticky sand glistening on smooth, creamy skin.”

don’t you feel this thing between us?” he whispered intimately, his breath brushing across my cheek. Did I ever. From the first moment I laid eyes on him my freshman year in high school, I was drawn to him. “I do, but it’s complicated.

“You’ve never been ugly. And just for the record, I’m attracted to you for more than your looks.”

“I suppose you subscribe to Sylvia Plath’s way of thinking: ‘Kiss me, and you will see how important I am.’” “No. I was thinking more along the lines of, kiss me, and see how important you are.”

“Things just got complicated.” I didn’t regret it, but there was no denying it. “I’m good at complicated.” He kissed my nose. “We’ll make this work.”

“I confess to taking on your ex’s case so that I could see you,”

I looked Nicolette square in the eyes and said, “I needed new material for the sequel.”

“Josie,” Reece said my name so beautifully, “I think you should know I’m falling in love with you.”