Page 24

From where I stood, I saw a table dedicated to polyamorous romance and another for Black fantasy novels.

The lighting inside was dim and cozy, the opposite of what I was used to in chain book stores, but I noticed the lamps in every nook.

The level of attention that had gone into designing this space wasn’t lost on me. It was welcoming without being overwhelming. Warm without being contrived.

My feet carried me to the staircase and when I got to the top, I was surprised to see other customers up here.

They were in their own worlds, reading and typing.

Standing near the iron railing, I studied the bookshop from above, grinning when I saw Goldyn nose-deep in a paperback while she mindlessly munched on a bowl of pretzels.

The inexplicable dread I felt before walking in had slowly dissipated, making room for excitement. I hadn’t been in a bookstore in over a year. They used to be the norm when I lived in King’s Town, but mostly just for the vibes. I rarely got any writing done because the store employees usually hounded me every five minutes, asking if I needed help, making it clear they expected me to make a purchase to justify the amount of time I was spending there.

But Goldyn seemed unburdened by that expectation. Hell, all of Bliss Peak seemed to be and I was still trying to get used to it.

“I’m going to like it here,” I murmured, finding a table for two ducked off in the corner.

I would love to tell you I spent the afternoon making progress on my draft, but I spent most of that time researching ways to “cure” writers’ block and trying different sweets from the bakery next door.

The pumpkin cinnamon rolls were a new favorite. And I could still taste the cinnamon sugar latte I had with my pesto turkey sandwich at lunch.

I added exactly zero words to my work in progress and ate my weight in pastries.

All that being said, I still couldn’t bring myself to regret coming here.

“Hey,” I said, approaching Goldyn’s checkout counter.

Her brow rose at whatever she was reading before she used a receipt to mark her place. When she closed the book, bile shot up in my throat when I saw it was one of mine.

Oh. God.

“How can I help you?”

For two agonizing beats, my stare stayed glued to the last book I released before I gulped.

“Um, I want to order some craft books, but first I want to check if you have them in stock.”

Her eyes lit up in that contagious way before she shook her mouse to wake up her computer.

“Which books?”

“The Art of Writing Romance, second edition.”

Goldyn typed. “I can order it for you.”

“Perfect.”

“Anything else for you?” She watched me with kind eyes and it suddenly dawned on me that this was the woman my grandma spoke of often. I didn’t know why I expected her to be older. Ruby Jean was friends witheverybody, so I really shouldn’t have been surprised.

I laughed quietly to myself and she cocked her head at me, those golden blond curls bouncing as she moved.

“Sorry, that’s all. Thank you.”

“It’ll be here in 2-3 days. You can pay when you pick it up.”

“Thanks, Goldyn.”

“Of course, love.” She smiled again and sat back down.