Page 106 of The Cinnamon Bun Book Store

The YA novel that was a surprise bestseller last year was next.

‘You’re all I think about. All I want. Me and you until the end.’

Oh, God. This was...

The second to last book. Another romance. Of course.

He realized he loved her and that he probably had all along. But it had snuck up on him somehow even though she’d been perfect from the start.

Hazel gripped the book so hard, the pages crinkled beneath her fingers.

This one had a note at the bottom of the page. Not a note, really. Just a few words.

It’s me this time,

~Noah.

The last book wasn’t a book at all but a weekly planner. Today’s date was circled and in the box someone had penciled in:

Meet me by the water. Tonight. 8:00.

Well, holy shit.

The grand finale.

* * *

Noah had paced back and forth in the sand so many times, he’d created a small trench. Maybe he could bury himself in it if Hazel didn’t show up. That would be a good use of his current resources.

No, this was fine. He was fine. Even if Hazel didn’t want him. He’d be ... okay. Well, he’d be pretty damn devastated because he definitely loved this girl and he’d never loved anyone before and he was pretty sure it would hurt like a bitch to have her reject him, but he’d survive. Probably.

He glanced up at the little shacks on the beach. With some help from Cliff, he’d managed to get the electricity up to code and he’d strung white twinkle lights from each one. Even the one on the end that was basically falling over at this point had a string of white bulbs. That one was definitely going to take more work than the others, but he’d spoken to Mayor Kelly last night when he’d momentarily lost track of Hazel and the man had assured him that there was a way forward.

He hadn’t been super clear on what that was, but Pete told him he was sure they’d figure it all out. The important thing was Noah had told him his plan and the mayor had liked it.

And Noah was even considering asking his dad for some advice on the whole thing while he was home which was pretty big for him. Like really big.

Movement on the path to the beach caught his eye and Noah froze in his trench. Until he remembered how not a path the path was and then he hurried to help Hazel down.

‘Hey, Noah,’ she said when he got close and his heart stuttered in his chest. She was so damn beautiful, even in the dark, just the shape of her was beautiful. Her curls were loose around her face tonight and a hesitant smile graced her lips.

‘Hey.’ He really needed to get better at this again and fast. ‘Let me help you. It’s kind of treacherous.’

She took his hand and he led her down the jagged pavement to the sand. He wanted to hold onto her but he wasn’t sure if he should so he didn’t pull her back when she untangled her fingers from his. She was looking at the houses and he was looking at her.

‘I talked to your dad,’ he blurted out and she turned toward him, the lights from the houses reflected in her glasses. He wished he could see her better. Why had he chosen this spot? The wind had picked up and Hazel pulled her cardigan further around her and Noah felt his plan rapidly unraveling.

‘About the houses and he thinks we can make it work.’

‘That’s great, Noah?—’

‘I talked to my dad, too. To my whole family actually and I think maybe they’ve forgiven me and I’m going to go home and help out while my sister is on bed rest but then I’m coming back. I was always going to come back for you, Haze. I should have said that ... I should have said a lot of things. Oh, and you’re invited for Thanksgiving ... I mean if you want to ... I mean if we...’

He shook his head, trying to straighten out his racing thoughts. ‘I think we should date. I mean, for real, like not for clues or anything. I just ... I know I’m a little bit younger than you, but I don’t think that matters and I just think we’re good together...’

‘Noah, stop.’

He blinked, Hazel coming back into focus. The wind tugged at her hair and the ends of her sweater. She had her arms wrapped around herself. She was cold. He should get her inside, make her some tea, tuck her in his bed, never let her go.