Begin to Begin by A.S. Brown Read Free Book Online

back of one of the kitchen chairs. "I really have to go, Uncle Mel."
    "Yeah, yeah. I'm leaving. I wanted to make sure you weren't getting into any trouble. I don't need the shop brought down in anything bad."
    "I understand. And I'm not. I'm doing my best to stay away from them."
    "OK. Good." He follows me out the door, and I turn around to ease down the steps to help him down. "Have fun with the girl tonight."
    We get to the bottom of the stairs and I roll my eyes. "Whatever." Nodding, he walks across the dirt parking lot to his old house.
    I have to figure out a way to cut J.R. and Sonny out of my life for good. I can't have them showing up here out of the blue and ruining this opportunity for me.
    They always have a way of sucking me back in.

    ******

    Since I’ve decided to park in the same lot as the last time I was in town, I’m able to walk to the bookstore. I’m not afraid to park here, but I hope Marin doesn’t park here anymore. I don’t see her car, though, so that’s a good sign.
    It's warmer today than it has been, thank God. I live in Florida for a reason—I hate the cold weather. I remember when I was nine years old, my parents took me to New York City "sightseeing". I hated every minute of it. They thought it would be great for me to see what winter really was. I prefer a winter of warmth, though.
    Turning the corner, I see the light from the bookstore pouring out onto the street at the end of the block. Slowly, I make my way down to the door and look in like some creeper. I'm more intrigued by Marin than the idea of learning anything about business. But I do need to learn if I want to make a serious go at this and make it last.
    Swiftly, I walk the remainder of the way and pull open the door when a silly bell rings above my head. There is an attractive girl sitting at the counter on a stool reading a book but she looks up when the bell rings.
    "Welcome to Fifteen! Can I help you find anything?" she happily asks.
    "Actually, I was here to see Marin. Is she around?" Recognition shows in her eyes.
    "Oh! Oh, my goodness. You're the guy!"
    "The guy?" I ask.
    "Yeah! She didn't tell me how cute you were."
    Grinning, I shake my head "Thanks. So, um … about Marin."
    "Oh, yeah, hang on a second. She's in the back." She walks to the back of the store but not out of sight. I decide that I will browse around while I wait and walk back toward the way she went. I can hear the girl talking to Marin from where I'm standing by the automotive section. How convenient.
    "Marin! Why didn’t you tell me? Holy guacamole! He's fine as fu—" I hear Marin cut her off before she can finish.
    " Shhh . Lord, Gwenn. He’s going to hear you. Keep it down."
    "Well, he is. I can't help it." I hear some shuffling around and can’t help but smile a little bit.
    I glance over the shelf in front of me. There are books on muscle cars, books on transmissions, there are even books on vintage foreign cars. Have I seriously never been in a bookstore before? Because that sure as hell is how it’s feeling. I’m stuck in a mechanic’s fantasy, I think.
    Marin starts talking again. "Yes, he is definitely good looking, but you know I'm not even close to being ready to think about other guys. And besides, he is way too good looking for me even if I was." I would tend to disagree with her, but whatever. I wasn't looking for a hook up anyway and definitely not a relationship, so I'm glad we are on the same page. I hear a door open and the blonde walks out. She can't see me since I’m standing behind this shelf and she starts to turn in a circle looking all over when she spots me.
    "There you are! She will be right out! I'm Gwenn, by the way. Thank you so much for keeping our Marin safe. She's been through a lot, and we don't know what we would do without her." Not sure how to respond, I simply nod.
    Footsteps sound from behind me and thank God, because I'm not sure I want to stand here and interact with Gwenn anymore.
    "Dalton! Hi! I see that