Page 15 of Novel Problems: A Sapphic Small-Town Summer Romance (Sapphire Springs Book 2)

HANNAH

In a half dream-like state, I gradually became aware that the light around me had changed. The sun was rising.

I put down my pen and looked at my watch, yawning. It was just past 6 a.m., and I was half-way through the second last box of books, which thankfully did not require personalizations.

I glanced over at George, who was slumped on one of the armchairs, asleep. After reading out the last box of personalized messages to me, she’d made us both another hot chocolate and sat on the armchair to drink it while I kept signing. Despite her claims that she didn’t need more sleep, a minute later, she was snoring softly.

Warmth crept over my body as I watched her sleeping, eyes shut and face soft and relaxed, her chest moving slowly up and down. I’d insisted all night that she go back upstairs to bed, but she’d steadfastly refused. Instead, she’d made me hot drinks, helped unpack and pack the books, kept me awake during my hand-stretching sessions by chatting with me, and stepped in to save me on a few occasions. If it wasn’t for her, I wasn’t sure how I would have gotten through the night. And she’d done it all despite me breaking into Novel Gossip and revealing who I really was. While she’d initially seemed shocked, angry and more than a little confused, the shock and anger appeared to have dissipated as I’d explained how I’d gotten into the predicament. She’d been so understanding, and also opened up to me about her own experiences dating Alexis Merritts. George was so down-to-earth and self-assured, I couldn’t quite imagine her being the reluctant plus one at a political gala or the center of media speculation. Although I wouldn’t mind seeing how she scrubbed up in a tux…

Worried George might be cold, I grabbed the throw off the other armchair and carefully put it over her. I hovered above her for a second, admiring her face close up—her brown eyebrows, faint freckles on her nose and cheeks, and soft red lips. I fought the desire to trace my fingertips over her lips and run my hand through her short hair. She let out an adorable little snore and I smiled.

I dragged myself away from ogling George and back to the pile of books in front of me, but I couldn’t help shooting glances at her as I slowly made my way through it. Exhausted, I was just packing the last of the signed books into a box when the keys jingled in the front door. I looked up and saw Romina enter.

She did a double-take when she saw me. “Hannah! What are you doing here so early?” Her eyes traveled over to George and widened further. Romina lowered her voice. “Looks like you guys had a big night.”

“It’s a long story,” I said, eager to avoid going into any detail.

Romina raised an eyebrow but left it alone. “Well, let me know if you need anything.” She bustled toward the kitchen. A few moments later, metal clanging sounds indicated that she’d started food prep for the day.

By the time I’d piled all the boxes in a corner and packed away the pens, it was 7:30 a.m., and the café was filled with the mouth-watering aroma of muffins baking. My stomach rumbled. I was looking forward to shoveling one into my face as soon as they were out of the oven.

George would usually be getting ready to open at 8 a.m., but she was still sleeping peacefully on the armchair. I didn’t want to disturb her—not after she’d stayed up half the night to help me.

To my surprise, now that I wasn’t sitting and signing my name over and over again, I was feeling more awake. I started to get the café ready to open as quietly as I could, transferring the cookies from the airtight container they were stored in overnight into the display case, filling the coffee grinder with beans, and unloading the dishwasher.

I was just debating whether I should wake George when the front door opened again, and a tall, attractive man in his twenties with short black hair and dark brown skin walked in. I was about to tell him that the café wasn’t open yet when I spotted a key in his hand.

He blinked and then grinned. “Hi, I’m Ben.”

“I’m Hannah, Novel Gossip’s newest employee.” I smiled, letting out a relieved breath. I’d been so stressed about Ben reappearing and blowing my cover, but now I didn’t need to worry.

“That’s great! Welcome aboard.” Ben grinned and then looked around. “Where’s George? I messaged her earlier to let her know I’d be in.”

I nodded toward the armchair, and Ben raised his eyebrows as his gaze fell on George.

“I had a bit of an emergency that she helped me with last night. I was just thinking I should wake her before we open,” I explained.

Ben’s grin widened. “I’ll let you do the honors, and I’ll go dump this.” He patted his backpack.

I walked over to George and peered at her. She looked so peaceful and relaxed. I didn’t want to disturb her. But I didn’t think she’d be comfortable with her customers seeing her sleeping in the café.

I placed my hand gently on George’s shoulder and gave her a small shake. “George,” I murmured. She turned her head, muttered something, and then slumped back into the chair.

“George,” I said, louder this time, accompanied by a more vigorous shoulder shake.

George’s eyes flickered open. She looked around groggily.

“It’s almost eight a.m.,” I said gently. Her eyes opened wide and stared at me.

“Shit!” She staggered up.

“It’s okay,” I said reassuringly. “Ben is back, and I’ve got everything ready to open.”

“Oh, thank god.” She focused her gaze on me. “But what are you still doing here? You should be in bed.”

“I’m fine, seriously. I think I’m running on adrenaline right now, but I’m feeling good. Why don’t you go take a shower, and Ben and I will hold down the fort?”

George looked at me sternly. “Seriously. Go home, Hannah.”

She looks hot when she’s stern. I wouldn’t mind her bossing me around a little.

“I’m staying here until you’ve had a shower, at least,” I said firmly.

“Anyone want a raspberry-and-white-chocolate muffin, fresh out of the oven?” Ben appeared, holding a tray full of delicious-looking baked goods.

My stomach rumbled. “Yes, please!” I said, using all my willpower to resist sprinting over and grab two.

He looked us up and down and grimaced. “And a round of coffees perhaps? You two look like you need it.”

Eager to avoid more looks like the one Ben had just shot me, I decided to go to the restroom to check that I didn’t look too bedraggled.

“A coffee would be amazing, thank you! I’ll just be a second.” And with that, I hurried off to see what damage a night of frantic writing and book signing had wrought on my face and body.

As the cold water hit my face, it struck me just how lucky I was that George reacted the way she did to my breaking and entering and my revelation. It could have so easily gone the other way. And just how much stress I could have avoided the past few days if I’d just told George up front.

I stared at myself, face dripping wet, in the mirror.

In the manuscript I was working on, I’d decided to transform my main character Esmae from being passive and lacking in agency to taking charge of her own destiny.

I made a vow to my reflection in the mirror.

You need to take a leaf out of your own book and get better at addressing your issues head on.