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death.
    I look over at her and roll my eyes. "And what exactly is shitty in your life, Gwenn? Can't be your job because I know for a fact that you have the most kick ass boss on the planet." She laughs and gives me a nudge.
    "I usually listen to everyone else. It's my weekly dose of drama hanging out with those girls." We both laugh because it's true. No one can bring the drama quite like Cindy, Brooke, and Talia. They go to school with Gwenn and met in the same dorm their freshman year. I am an unofficial sidekick but not quite "one of the girls", either. They welcome me on their outings but never invite me unless Gwenn is there. I've made a few Sunday afternoon shopping trips with them but never an actual night out.
    "I can't anyway tonight. But thanks for inviting me. Amelia is coming over for dinner, and Joey might pop in too." I take a quick drink out of my bottle of water I swiped from the cooler.
    "Are those two ever going to bite the bullet and just do it or what?" Almost choking on my water, I cover my mouth and laugh.
    "I don't know. But I wish they would already. I'm sick of having a front row seat to their sexual tension tango they do every time we are together."
    We're still laughing when Amelia happens to walk in the door. Gwenn and I give each other a funny look and burst out laughing again.
    "What the hell is so funny, you two?" Amelia asks as she flings her mammoth purse onto the counter.
    "Joey's not here," Gwenn replies to her question, and we burst out laughing again.
    "Shut it." She combs her fingers through her long auburn hair. "I'm not here to see Joey, I was here to talk to you, Marin. I wanted to make sure we were still on for tonight and just to see how your day was going."
    Hopping down off my stool, I walk around the counter. "I'm fine, and yes we are still on for dinner. Seven, right?"
    "Yeah, I'm bringing Chinese from Little Chinatown, if that works."
    "Yep, works for me."
    "Is Joey coming? He didn't text me back earlier." Gwenn tries to muffle her laughter from behind the counter. "What is so damn funny, you guys?"
    Grabbing Amelia's hand and trying to look at her without laughing, I answer, "We were just discussing how we wish you and Joey would just do the deed already."
    Amelia smirks at me and then wiggles her eyebrows at Gwenn. "How do you know we haven't?" Then, she grabs her bag and walks out the door yelling over her shoulder, "See you tonight!"
    Gwenn and I stand there with our mouths hanging open and then start laughing again.
    I don't think I have laughed this much on this day in a very long time.

Chapter Two
Marin
    Right before the dinner hour, Cole showed up to start his shift. He works until close and is a master at closing down the store. He likes to read, but not nearly as much as Gwenn and me. He is more into the organization aspect of the business. It’s not uncommon to find him deep within the shelves making sure everything is in order and where it is supposed to be. He is in his mid-thirties and also does freelance graphic design work. His boyfriend, James, is a chef that works in the evening at one of the upscale restaurants in town so Cole took on this job to keep him busy in the evening. It didn’t take long for him to quickly become part of the Chapter Fifteen family. I rely on him for so much, even if it’s just his ear to listen to me vent.
    Between Cole, Gwenn, and Joey, we keep this place running on all wheels. I would be lost without them—hell, without them, there wouldn’t be a Chapter Fifteen
    "Hello, ladies. How are you two tonight? Staying out of trouble?"
    "Of course. I always stay out of trouble," Gwenn answers with a toss of her hair.
    Cole laughs and turns to me. "I'm heading in the back to get anything ready for stocking that came in today. I will pull out tomorrows new releases and set them to the side for Joey to put in the window in the morning."
    "Sounds good, Cole. I'm going to cut out of here soon. Amelia and Joey are supposed to be coming for