“What genre do you read?”
“What?” the woman asked, turning around as if she was slightly startled.
“Oh. I was just asking what genre you read. Maybe I could suggest something?”
“Mostly women’s fiction. I like really emotional stories about strong women.”
Julie smiled. “Well, a lot of people recommend this author named Charlotte McLemore. We have a table full of her books over there.”
The woman turned and looked at the table, reaching down to pick up one of the books. “Do you have a particular one that you recommend?”
Julie smiled shyly. “I have to say that I haven’t really read any of them. Well, I started one last night because my partner here at the bookstore has been bugging me about it. The author is supposed to be coming here soon for a book signing.”
“Oh? So you haven’t read any of the books yet?”
“No. I tried to start one last night, but in all honesty I felt like it was a little slow.”
“Slow?”
“Yes, and I’m never telling my friend because she won’t leave me alone about it. I’m going to try to read it again on my lunch break today.”
“So you didn’t like it?”
“I can’t really say that because I don’t know. I only read the first page.”
The woman chuckled. “How can you tell anything about a book from the first page?”
Julie leaned against the front counter and crossed her arms. “I just feel like a book should be able to grab you from the very beginning. And the first page was pretty slow. I fell asleep.”
“You’re not doing a very good sales job,” the woman said, laughing.
“Sorry. Everyone loves those books, so I’m sure it’s just me.”
“I might give one a try. But I saw a different one over here that looked interesting from another author. I think I’ll look through that one a little bit first.”
“Would you care for a cup of coffee or a muffin?”
Her eyebrows raised. “I would love a cup! What kind of muffins do you have?”
“Well, I have chocolate, blueberry and apple cinnamon. My mom owns the bakery down the street, and she provides them to us.”
“I’ll take a blueberry muffin.”
She walked over and sat down at one of the tables and started looking through the book she had picked up.
Julie finished pouring the coffee and put the muffin on a small white plate before taking it to the table.
“So, is this your first time in Seagrove?”
The woman looked up at her. “It is. Very cute little town.”
“You said you have a business meeting here? That’s pretty unusual for Seagrove.”
“Yes. Just so happens that my business associate lives here. I’m actually staying over in Charleston, though.”
“Oh, darn. My husband and I own an adorable little inn over on the island. I was going to tell you that you might want to consider staying there. It’s right on the ocean.”
“Really? I’m not too fond of my hotel. Too much traffic noise. Do you have a room available?”
“Of course! Here, I’ll write down the information and you can drive over when you leave here if you’d like. My husband is there and can get your room all set up.”
She smiled. “That sounds fantastic. I’m looking forward to staying there for a couple of nights.”
“Oh, and I hope you’ll be here for our spring festival. It starts the day after tomorrow. It’s going to be a lot of fun!”
“I might just check that out. Thanks for the hospitality.”
Julie walked back behind the register. “I forgot to ask your name?”
The woman looked up and smiled. “Oh, it’s Anna.”
“Well it’s nice to meet you Anna. My name is Julie.”
Janine sat there picking at her salad, staring off into the distance. She just couldn’t believe what had happened at the restaurant the night before with William. Something just wasn’t right.
“Hey, Janine!” Emma said, standing beside her. Janine hadn’t even noticed her walk up. She was just too lost in her own thoughts.
“Oh, hey. I figured you’d be over at the lighthouse giving tours today.”
“We’re actually only open half a day. Something went wrong with the light, and they’ve got the repair guy up there. We had a field trip group this morning, and I swear one of them unplugged something,” she said, laughing. “Mind if I join you?”
Janine smiled and nodded, pointing at the chair across from her. “Please.”
“You look a little sad today. Is everything all right?”
“Honestly, I have no idea.”
“What can I get you, honey?” the server asked Emma.
“I’ll just take a club sandwich and a glass of water. Thanks.” She immediately turned back to Janine with a concerned look on her face. “What’s going on? I know we just met, but if you need somebody to talk to, it’s not like I can gossip. I don’t know anybody else really,” Emma said, laughing.
Janine smiled. “Last night my boyfriend took me on a very fancy date. We went dancing and then we went to the most expensive restaurant I’ve ever been to.”
“That sounds nice. So what’s wrong?”
“Well, I had the distinct impression that he might have been proposing last night. Another couple in the restaurant even got engaged. But then suddenly something changed. It was like he had second thoughts or cold feet. He barely spoke to me the rest of the night, and he definitely didn’t propose.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. It sounds like he loves you very much. Maybe he just decided to go a different route.”
Janine picked at her food. “I don’t know. I’m just ready to start my life with him. I don’t understand what happened, and I’m too afraid to ask. I don’t want to assume that he was going to propose if he wasn’t.”
“Maybe just wait it out. See if he does it another way. Guys are weird.”
Janine smiled. “They are very weird. I like you,
