Page 32 of Heart Strings

“Morning, thanks for the breakfast,” she says, taking her latte from the tray before motioning to a letter on the table. “Here, I want you to read this.”

Curious, I set down the tray and pick up the letter, unfolding it carefully. It’s from her mother, and as I read, the words paint a picture of love and a deep wish for Gracie to make her own path in life, not tied down by the bookstore or anything else that doesn’t bring her personal fulfillment.

Her mother’s graduation wishes for her were clear—she wanted Gracie to live freely, to explore and to grow beyond the familiar confines of our little town.

I look up from the letter, my eyes meeting Gracie’s. “This is... incredible, Gracie. Are you okay with this?”

She nods, gesturing to the papers spread across the table. “I am. It’s a lot to process, and it’s big, but... I think it’s made me realize something important.”

“What’s all this?” I ask, gesturing to the paperwork.

Gracie takes a deep breath, her fingers tracing the edge of her coffee cup. “I’ve decided to sell the space, Connor. The bookstore... I’m letting it go.”

The words hit me harder than I expected. The idea of Gracie without the bookstore seems almost unimaginable. It’s been such a central part of her, of our lives for so long. We literally grew up in that little bookstore.

“You’re selling Chapter One?” I manage to say, my voice catching slightly.

“Yes,” she replies softly. “I’ve been thinking a lot since... everything happened. Reading what my mom wrote and everything that led to this, it pushed me to consider what I really want for myself. And I realized, I’ve been holding onto the bookstore more for her memory than for my own passion.”

I absorb her words, watching how her face lights up with a mix of excitement and nervousness—a look I’m not used to seeing on her when it comes to the bookstore and its future. It’s always been about duty and nostalgia, not future and possibility.

“But are you sure about this?” I ask, still trying to wrap my head around the news. “It’s a big step, Tink.”

Gracie nods, her eyes clear and determined. “I’m sure. It’s the right thing to do. For me. This isn’t about giving up; it’s about moving forward. Making my own path, just like she wanted. Like you’ve been trying to tell me this whole time.”

I watch her, this incredible woman who’s faced so much, yet still finds the strength to push forward, to embrace change in ways that most would shy away from. “I’m proud of you, you know that?”

Her smile widens. “Thank you, Connor. That means a lot, coming from you.” She sips her latte again, a thoughtful look crossing her features. “I was scared, you know? To make this choice. But I think it’s the right one.”

“I know it is,” I reply, feeling a profound respect for her courage. “And whatever you need during this transition, I’m here.”

She reaches across the table, her hand finding mine, giving it a squeeze. “I know. And I’m going to need a lot of support. Maybe even a partner in crime for some new adventures?”

I chuckle, squeezing her hand back. “You got it. Partner in crime, at your service. Any ideas where you’ll start?”

Her eyes sparkle with mischief and excitement. “Well, there’s a whole world out there, Connor. Somewhere far, somewhere neither of us have been. A fresh start.”

“A trip sounds perfect,” I agree, the idea of exploring new places with Gracie filling me with an unexpected thrill. “Anywhere you want to go, just say the word.”

Gracie’s eyes dance with possibilities, the kind that have probably been dormant for a while. “As much as I want to think about where I’ll go next, there’s something I have to do first,” she says, her eyes contemplative. “I need to get the bookstore sold. Only once that’s sorted, I’ll think about where to go.”

I nod, understanding the practicalities she’s juggling. “Of course, that makes sense. You need to close that chapter before you start a new one, right?”

“Exactly,” she says, folding some of the paperwork and organizing it into neater stacks. “It’s going to be a big change, selling the bookstore. It’s been a part of my life for so long, but I know this is the right move. And once it’s done, I’ll be free to explore anything. The world’s going to be wide open, Connor.”

Her words strike a chord in me. She’s always been tied to that bookstore, to the responsibilities that came with it after her mom passed away. Now, she’s choosing to step into the unknown, and it’s both scary as hell and exhilarating.

As we clear away the breakfast remnants, Gracie stands and stretches, a contented look on her face. “I haven’t felt this excited about what comes next in a long time. It’s like I can finally breathe.”

“I can see that,” I say, watching her with a mixture of admiration and relief. “It’s like you’re lighter somehow.”

She laughs, pulling me into a hug. “I feel lighter. Scared, but lighter.”

I place a kiss on the side of her head and as we pull apart, I catch her gaze, serious for a moment. “Gracie, just promise me something.”

“What’s that?”

“That you’ll keep chasing what makes you happy. Don’t settle. Not for anyone or anything ever again.”

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