Page 9 of To Fall or Not to Fall

Arabella smirks. “Are we really, though? If we’re all single, haven’t had a date in months, and, well, I can’t even remember the last time I had sex… who are we to set people up?”

We stare at each other. Then we all burst into laughter.

“I cannot believe I started a matchmaking service.” I giggle. “I’m the last person who should be setting people up.”

“Well, no one’s questioned us,” Arabella says. “So we’re just going with it.”

“Yes, we are,” Aria agrees. “And look around; it’s working. People are mingling, laughing, and talking. This is good, Ava. Really good.”

“Maybe it is,” I whisper, my heart swelling with hope.

“The Triple A’s can do anything,” Arabella reminds us, grinning.

“The Triple A’s can do anything,” we echo in chorus. We've been muttering this phrase since first grade, and I’m sure we’ll be doing it until the day we die.

The bell above the door chimes again, and I automatically start my welcome speech.

“Welcome to Beachy Balls, Biscuits, & Books,” I say, and my heart stops as I see who’s standing there.

His face is slightly brooding as he looks around the store. He’s wearing a dark gray cardigan and brown corduroy pants, which takes me aback because he looks like he’s in a 1960s sitcom as opposed to the businessman he really is.

“Hi, Theo,” I say, waving at him.

He frowns slightly as he steps toward me. “It’s really busy,” he says, looking surprised.

“Yeah. Cool, right?”

“Yeah, I guess.” He nods, and then he must realize that he’s coming off a bit pessimistic because he suddenly smiles. “I’m happy for you. What a great turnout.”

“Thanks. I think so. Can I get you something to drink?”

“What do you have? Actually, don’t tell me. Pumpkin spice everything.”

“I have other things. I’ve made a really good mulled wine you may like.”

“I’ll try that, then,” he says, as he types something into his phone.

“Hello, ladies,” he says to Arabella and Aria, who are both standing there, grinning at him like fools.

“Hey, Aria, come and help me grab more pumpkins to carve.” Arabella grabs her by the arm suddenly.

“Huh?” Aria says, and I see Arabella looking at Theo with a knowing smile. I want to groan out loud at how obvious she is being.

“Oh, yeah, yeah. Let me come and help you. See you in a second, Ava.”

“Okay. Don’t be too long.” I stare at Theo, and he gives me a wry smile. “I like your sweater. Very festive.” He nods toward my top, and I smile.

“Yours, too.”

“I am the fall queen. I’m surprised you’re not in a suit.”

“I thought that maybe the suit wasn’t really appropriate for a small town like this. I come from New York City.” He shrugs. “We dress differently there. But I am here to relax, and so relax, I shall.”

“Cool,” I say. “How are you enjoying The Picture of Dorian Gray ?”

“The what? Sorry?” He looks confused.

“The book you got.” I wonder if he’s teasing me.

“Oh, yes, yes, yes. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.” He runs his fingers through his silky hair and looks away for a second. “It’s very interesting. He is a very talented painter.”

“What?” I say. Is he joking?

“What?” he says back.

“Who’s a talented painter?”

“Oh, I’m just making a joke,” he says quickly. “So, as you’re a bookstore owner, I have a question for you.”

“Hmm, sure.”

“What’s your favorite book? I mean, you must have so many, working in a bookstore.”

“Actually, my very favorite book is Little Women . It’s really sentimental to me. My grandfather used to read it to me as a kid, and I just fell in love with the sisters and the family. And obviously, my heart broke when Amy died.”

“Hey, spoiler alert.”

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. Have you not?—?”

“It’s okay,” he says. “I’m not much of a reader, if you haven’t gathered.” He shrugs. “So, Little Women , huh?”

“Yeah, Little Women . I’m guessing that you’ve never read it or seen it.” I try not to be judgmental. “Sorry, I get passionate about this book. I think it should be required reading and viewing.”

“No. I mean, I don’t know what gave me away.” He leans forward and chuckles. “But your grandfather read it to you, huh?”

“Yeah. He and my grandma were the best grandparents, and I owe them everything. In fact, I wouldn’t even have the store if it weren’t for them. My grandma co-signed on the loan, and my granddad gave me the deposit, actually. So that’s why I really want to ensure that I can make this work.”

My lower lip wobbles, and I can feel myself getting teary. Why am I bringing it up to him?

“Oh, wow.” Theo looks unexpectedly unhappy for a few moments. “Hey, it’s okay. I mean, it’s going to work. Look how many people are here. You’re going to save your store.” He clears his throat. “And if not, maybe it won’t be such a bad thing.”

“Of course, I will.” I frown. “I’m not going to sell it to any assholes who live in the big city and want to—” I pause. “Oops. I guess that’s like you.”

“What do you mean it’s like me?” he says, frowning slightly. “I am not?—”

“No, I just mean someone who probably lives in New York or Chicago or some big city like that. I don’t even know where the corporation is located, to be honest, because after the first couple of letters, I just ripped them up, because I’m not interested.”

“Good for you,” he says, raising an eyebrow. “Good for you. I mean, if you did happen to sell it, I’m sure you could find another job. Something else you’re passionate about or somewhere else to work. But whatever you think is best for you.”

“Yeah, I guess. But this is my dream. This is my love.”

“I suppose it’s really nice to have dreams,” he says. “Sometimes I dream a little myself.”

“Oh, yeah? What are your dreams?”

“Just business stuff. Making more money, closing deals that no one ever thought was possible. It makes me buzz. It’s an adrenaline rush.” His eyes sparkle, and I see real life in his face. He’s animated as he talks about business.

“So, what is it that you do exactly?” I ask him.

“Oh, ooh—” He frowns slightly. “Well, right now, I’m a professor.”

“A professor? Where?” I tilt my head to the side. “What business deals are you making as a professor?”

“I work at NYU. I used to, umm, work at Morgan Stanley.” He licks his lips. “But let’s not talk about me. I’m on a break right now, and that’s the last thing I want to talk about.”

“Okay.”

“So, Ava, are you looking for someone at this event?”

I’m surprised by this change of subject, and I can feel myself lightly blushing. I don’t know if he’s asking because he’s interested in me or what, but my heart is racing, and I am kind of hoping that he wants to know because he secretly wants me.

“I mean, I am the host of the event, so I wouldn’t say I’m actively looking.

But I mean, if I find someone… My grandma wants me to find someone for the fall festival because her best friend’s granddaughter, who is my arch nemesis, is engaged and is taking someone to the festival.

He’s supposedly really successful, and I have no one.

And even though my grandma is best friends with Maribel, they still have this competitive streak, where each one wants to be better than the other, and well—” I pause.

“I’m sorry. I’m talking way too much. I don’t mean to bore you. ”

“Not at all. So, is this what it’s all about, then? You want to meet someone so that your grandma doesn’t lose a competition with her best friend?”

“No. Well, partly. I mean, I want someone… but I also want to be in a relationship. And I hope that these events will help me make money so that my bookstore doesn’t fold.

” I let out a deep sigh. “It’s just a stressful time right now.

I mean, I love my life, and I’m really grateful for everything, but it could be just a little easier. I don’t want to be so stressed out.”

“Yeah, life isn’t fun when you’re stressed,” he says, nodding slowly. “But I feel like everything happens for a reason.”

“Me, too.” I smile at him. “You do sometimes say things that surprise me, Theo Wilder.”

“Oh? Like what?”

“That everything happens for a reason. Do you really believe that?”

“One hundred percent. If you end up having to sell your store, I’m sure it’ll be for a reason.”

“Oh,” I say, throwing my head back and trying not to cry.

For some reason, I thought he was going to say that our meeting had happened for a reason.

But I watch way too many romance movies and am far too into this handsome man.

Obviously, I’m only focused on hoping that he’s interested in me, but he does not seem to be.

“So anyway, I guess I should get this party started.” I smile at him. “We have pumpkins to carve.”

“That you do,” he says, nodding. “Thank you for the mulled wine,” he says sarcastically, nodding at his empty hand.

I burst out laughing. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I forgot to get it. Hold on one moment.”

“Sure. I was just joking, by the way.”

“No, I’m so sorry. I got caught up in our conversation and completely forgot.” I hurry to pour some mulled wine into a glass, and hand it to him. “Here you go.”

“How much do I owe you?”

“You totally can have that for free. I made you wait, after all.”

He frowns slightly. “Free?”

“Yeah, it’s good customer service.”

“But aren’t you trying to save your store?” He looks confused.

“Yeah, but customer service is number one.”

“You’re too nice. That’s your problem, isn’t it?” he says softly, his eyes looking into mine like he’s unlocked some secret.

I frown. “Excuse me. What did you say?”

“Nothing,” he says. He lets out a deep sigh and gives me a big smile. “Nothing. It all happens for a reason, I suppose.” He nods to himself and looks at his watch. “I think you should get this party started, don’t you?”

“Yeah,” I say, not really sure what just happened. But there’s a weird, odd tension between us. Is he judging me for giving him a free mulled wine? Really?

I’m slightly annoyed at the look he gave me. Am I a bad businesswoman? Is it dumb to give him a free glass? But I am kind, and I am a good business owner. The customer comes first, and he had to wait because I was too busy talking to him when my first priority should have been giving him the drink.

But maybe I could have given it to him for half price.

The devil inside my head whispers: You ’ re never going to pay your bills, giving stuff away for free, Ava.

I shush the voice inside my head, but I know that voice is right. I need to figure out how to get my act together because if I don’t, I would be desperately single, broke, and out of a bookstore.