“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.
Did you enjoy this preview of The Beauty of Lies (A Stand By Me Novel #1) ? Click the book title to grab your copy today.
Check out all Brinda Berry’s books by turning the page.
Also by Brinda Berry
Adult Novels
Kismet Heart
Reckless Soul
Magnetic Love
The Beauty of Lies (A Stand By Me Novel #1)
The Fiction of Forever (A Stand By Me Novel #2)
Fit for Love (A Stand By Me Novel #3)
The Possibility of Perfect (A Stand By Me Novel #4)
Stand By Me Box Set (Books 1-3)
The Shape of Trust (A Stand By Me Novel #5)
Young Adult Novels
The Waiting Booth (Whispering Woods #1)
Whisper of Memory (Whispering Woods #2)
Watcher of Worlds (Whispering Woods #3)
The Waiting Booth Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
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Website: www.brindaberry.com
Your free gift—A Sweet Temptation
A rock star, a pie baker, and a recipe for romance…
Reese McClain has a solid plan in place: finish raising her teenage niece, run her pie bakery, and avoid entanglements with a tempting man. After all, her sister deserted her own child for a freewheeling lifestyle. Life is much less complicated without dating. Especially dating a man like Cord Barton—a rock star who's too gorgeous, too young, and too carefree.
Cord knows his life needs change, but he doesn't expect it in the form of a beautiful baker named Reese. She's a much needed star in his burnt out life. Because when it comes to plans, he wants her for more than dessert.
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About the Author
I live in the southern US with my family, where I surf (the internet) too much, write too much, and laugh too much. I’m fond of a lot of things, including but not limited to Kings of Leon, peanut butter cookies, cairn terriers, and good friends. Oh…and books. Of course, books.
I write young adult fantasy and adult contemporary romance novels.
I read EVERYTHING.
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