Page 36 of Midnight Ash

My mouth gapes wide as we go inside the bookstore. It's a house. Let me repeat. It's. A. House.

"Each room is a genre. My favorite is the living room, and because it's the biggest room in the house, it's the romance room. I've spent so many hours here browsing and reading," Xander says.

"It's very peaceful. The smell, oh my god, the smell is amazing."

"I know, right? Let's go upstairs."

The staircase is made of a dark wood with carvings so intricate it reminds me of my dad's desk. My chest feels heavy as I run my hand over the smoothness of the wood of the banister on our way to the second floor.

"This is the library. You can pick any book in the store and bring it here to read. You don't even have to buy it, but I don't think I've ever left this place empty-handed," Xander says as we go through the open door.

The room has dark wooden floors and big, dark-red leather couches. Just like in all the other rooms, there are bookshelves upon bookshelves full of books. I can't resist running my fingers through the old editions.

"Looks like they have some new additions," Xander says, and I turn in his direction.

"Oh my god," I say before I run to the large oak desk. I kneel on the floor and look for it.

"What's wrong, Ash?"

"I'm looking for it."

"Looking for what?"

It's very faint, but it's there, and I hold on to the leg of the desk, running my finger through the small dent. Tears run down my face. I know Xander is probably thinking I'm crazy, but I can't speak.

He kneels next to me, running his hands up and down my back.

"Talk to me, Ash."

"This is my father's desk."

"How is that possible?"

I take his hand and run his finger over the dent.

"You feel that?"

He nods.

"I made that dent. I was riding my bicycle indoors because it was snowing outside. I knew I wasn't allowed, but I was six, so...you know how it goes, I did it anyway. I crashed against the desk and made a dent. When my parents found out I was grounded for what felt like forever."

A man with a badge comes inside the room holding some books. I clear my tears and stand up.

"Excuse me," I say.

"Yes, how can I help?"

"Can I ask, please, where you got this desk?"

"I'm not the owner, I only work here, but the desk and a load of old books came in yesterday morning. I heard someone was selling them, and my boss went to see the desk and bought everything. To be honest, I'd guess that whoever made the banister on the staircase also made the desk, so it's a real find, don't you think?"

"Yes," I say. "It's a real treasure."

"Is there anything else I can help with?" the guy asks.

"No, that is all, thank you."

Xander puts his hands on either side of my arms and looks at me. "Do you want me to find out if we can buy the desk and your books back?"