In her delightful novel, Getting What You Want, Kathy Love introduced the Stepp sisters, three unique women with wildly different ideas about love and life. Now, meet Ellie, the romantic middle sister who's about to take a chance on having what she's always wanted. . .

This Can't Be Happening

Is he flirting with me? I must be imagining things. Why would Mason Sweet, the gorgeous mayor of Millbrook, Maine, the man I've secretly been in love with since seventh grade, flirt with me? He's the town golden boy, and I'm, well, the local librarian. The Stepp sister who stayed close to home. The one who bakes brownies. . .then eats them all. My thighs make that whick-whick-whick sound in pantyhose. He can't possibly be flirting with me. So why is he giving me that melt-you-where-you-stand look? Why is he pulling me close? And what is he whispering in my ear. . .

Sorry, could you repeat that? Now I'm hearing things, because I swear Mason just asked me if I'd like to. . .well, he wasn't asking for a book recommendation, let's put it that way. Oh my, my, my. Okay, Ellie, stop blushing like a teenaged girl. I'm sure he didn't mean it. Maybe I should just alphabetize something. Be the good girl everyone expects. Eat another brownie. Forget this ever happened. So why is it I can't stop myself from saying, "Yes. . .."