Page 144 of The Romance Library

And as I looked around me and saw the warmth in their eyes, I knew he was right.

I had a great feeling about the opening day.

Something told me it was going to be a huge success.

47

Jess

For probably the hundredth time this morning, I walked through the library aisles to check that everything was okay.

In just over two hours, The Romance Library would be officially declared open.

I couldn’t believe it.

I’d come a long way.

Who would’ve thought when I turned up to Mrs Davis’s house that day that meeting her would cause my life to change so dramatically?

The journey to this point hadn’t been easy, but whatever happened, it’d been worth it.

I took in the sight of the bookcases, which were now filled with multiple romance subgenres including contemporary, historical, paranormal, new adult, romantic comedy and LGBTQ.

My phone pinged. It was a message from Mia saying that she and Liam were almost here.

I was surprised that they were coming so early. I thought celebrities always showed up late and only ever hung around for the minimum amount of time they needed to. But clearly Mia and Liam were different.

‘Everything’s looking great in the bookshop,’ Theo said. ‘Jane and Celeste are just double-checking the tills.’

‘Great, thanks.’

Celeste was Bob and Barbara’s daughter. She went to uni in Leeds but was back home briefly for the summer holidays and had offered to help out in the bookshop whilst I looked for someone more permanent. That was top of my to-do list for tomorrow as there was no way Jane and I could do everything alone.

‘How are you feeling?’ Theo rubbed my shoulder.

‘Nervous, but excited! And Mia and Liam should be here any minute.’

‘Excellent. Looks like we’re all set!’

‘They’re here!’ Jane came rushing into the library. ‘And there’s already a load of people gathering outside.’

‘We’ll be right there.’ I rushed outside and Theo and Jane followed.

The car door of a black Mercedes opened and Mia and Liam stepped out.

OMG.

My stomach bottomed out. I’d never met any celebrities in real life before. I couldn’t believe they were both standing a few feet away from me. Jane gave me a nudge to bring me back to reality.

There was something I was supposed to be doing…

Oh yeah. Saying hello would be a good start.

‘Mia, Liam, hi! I’m Jess. So lovely to meet you!’ I held out my hand.

‘Come here.’ Mia opened her arms for a hug. ‘Great to meet you too! This place looks fantastic. Congratulations!’

Mia was wearing a fitted baby-pink dress, which complemented her brown skin perfectly. Her smooth, dark shoulder-length hair was so immaculate, it looked like she’d just stepped out of a salon.

---