Pumpkin And Spice

By Abby Knox

Maxine "Pumpkin" Novak is coming home to Chicago to do three things: eat turkey with her family; chill with her best friend, Joy; and avoid all the awful people who gave her that childhood nickname. But a run-in with a dreamy old classmate sidetracks her plans in a heartbeat, and gets her heart pounding.

 

Bartender Talbot "Stoner" Spice has out-performed his high school epithet and whooped his childhood demons. Dividing all his time between running the neighborhood bar and caring for his widowed mother, he has never seen the need for a serious relationship. That all changes when his high school crush, Max, returns from California and walks into his bar two days before Thanksgiving. She doesn't know it yet, but she's not getting away from him again.

 

Content notes: Some issues discussed in this book may be difficult for certain readers. Specifically, non-descriptive mentions of past childhood abuse of the hero and religious trauma. Please take care of yourself first and always. For more information, please see the content notes page on my website.

 

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Author Abby Knox, LLC
• Release date: Nov 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215052174

Abby Knox

Abby Knox writes feel-good, high-heat romance that she herself would want to read. Readers have described her stories as quirky, sexy, adorable, and hilarious. All of that adds up to Abby’s overall goal in life: to be kind and to have fun! Abby’s favorite tropes include: Forced proximity, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, boss/employee, fated mates/insta-love, and more. Abby is heavily influenced by Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, and LOST. But don't worry, she won’t ever make you suffer like Luke & Lorelai. If any or all of that connects with you, then you came to the right place.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Max

1998

I look out over the crowd while giving my commencement address. It’s a fine, prepared speech.

And then, I make eye contact with several of the people who nicknamed me Pumpkin during freshman year when I was a little bit chubby and had worn an oversized orange sweater on the first cold day of fall.

Even though I’ve since lost the weight and the sweater, the nickname stuck. Not even the headmaster, Monsignor Roberts, had done jack shit about it.

I despise these people. Well, most of them.

I continue, off script.

"…And so, fellow graduates of the class of 1998, take what you’ve learned here at Saint Emil’s…and throw it out the window because none of it matters.

"Monsignor Roberts, it’s been real. Real what? I don’t know, because I never once saw a smile on your face.

And by the way, speaking of ice-cold shoulders, I’ll never have to see any of you, or suffer through another Chicago winter, again. Tomorrow, I’m going to California and I hope never to return. Buh-bye!

My commencement address will go down in history as canon for all who attend Saint Emil’s Catholic High School after this.

I do indeed have a one-way ticket to San Diego in the morning, where I will spend the summer working before attending SDSU in the fall.

But before I go home to pack, I toss my cap and gown in the trash, throw on my little black dress, dig out my fake ID and head to Butch’s Bar with my best friend, Joy.

At the bar, Joy and I want nothing more than to dish on the day’s events.

Did you see the look on Roberts’ face? Joy says, howling after a couple too many Miller Lites.

But we’re rudely interrupted by a visit from Rick Fullerton, the prom king and captain of Saint Emil’s championship football team.

I didn’t know you ladies had connections to get served, he says. As always, bringing up social status is his conversational go-to.

I cock my head to the side. Well, Rick, when one acquires a contraband photo ID, one doesn’t squander it on mediocre nights out.

Too bad, he says, clearly not getting that I just insulted him. You might have made some real friendships at Saint Emil’s, instead of…I don’t know, pretending you’re Ally Sheedy or something. His gaze falls to my black dress, probably also surveying my black eye shadow and withering Morticia Addams stare.

Joy clears her throat. Well, you see, Rick, this is grad night, and Max and I are friends. And to top it off, Max and I are going our separate ways after tonight, so we’d appreciate being left alone. Get the message?

God, do I love Joy. I hate that I’m leaving her tomorrow.

Rick huffs and backs away. Fine. You lesbos have fun. Don’t drink too much, or you’ll get the bar shut down and everything will be chaos. But you do like to go nuclear, don’t you? That speech today…

I roll my eyes and toss back my beer. God, you like to talk when you drink. Those are the most words you’ve ever said to me, and I’ve known you since pre-K Sunday School. Bye, now.

I wave off the football hero with one more flick of my wrist.

Joy laughs and we share an eye roll and another round of beers.

Stoner

1998

I eye my high school crush from my spot at the back corner table of the neighborhood dive bar, wishing I had the nerve to stand up and go speak to her.

But I’m nothing to her other than the bigh school loner, Talbot Stoner Spice. She’s leaving in the morning, for good. And tonight, she looks like she’s getting truly tanked.

Well, it’s grad night. Let her celebrate.

On the other hand, her being drunk also means that I have no chance to tell her how I feel.

Shit.

What had I been thinking, following her to the bar? There’s no good outcome for this.

Until there is.

The bar is getting ready to close up, and Max and Joy are still enjoying their evening, laughing it up. Fullerton and his cronies are also standing around, casting smirks toward Max and Joy’s table.

Rick and his buddies are not nearly as drunk as Max and Joy. I watch those douche-nozzles put their heads together, and I can tell they’re up to no good.

And then I see it. It’s last call, and somebody orders up glasses of beer. Another one of them stirs something into the amber liquid.

I act quickly. I approach the girls’ table.

Ladies, hi. I just wanted to let you know I overheard somebody calling the police. They’re gonna be here any minute to raid the place for serving minors. Why don’t you come with me and I’ll make sure you get home safe?

Nice try, Max says with a wink that cranks up my infatuation to another level. Holy shit. This woman has no idea of the effect she has on me.

I’m going to have to come right out with it. Look, I say. Rick and his buddies just bought you drinks and roofied ’em.

I leave them sitting there stunned as I go to the bar to tell the bartender what’s going on.

I don’t wait to see how anything plays out, but the girls follow me to my car.

But I’m not ready to go home, Joy says as I pile her and Max into the back seat.

Max laughs, and it’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.

Joy, come on. I have an early flight, I hear her say as I close her passenger door and run to the other side.

The girls chat drowsily on