Page 146 of The Romance Library

The crowd erupted into cheers and whoops as Mia and Liam appeared with a large pair of scissors.

‘How’s everyone doing?’ Liam shouted into the microphone. ‘You ready for some more romance in your lives?’

‘Yes!!’ they screamed enthusiastically.

‘I’m gonna hand you over to my amazing, talented and utterly gorgeous girlfriend to do the honours.’

‘Thanks.’ Mia smiled. ‘As an avid romance reader myself, it gives me great pleasure to declare The Romance Library in Sunshine Bay officially… open!’

As she cut the ribbon, Liam leant over and pressed a kiss on her lips, giving the swarm of photographers a perfect shot of them smooching directly underneath the large pink ‘The Romance Library’ sign.

I couldn’t have asked for more.

After I posed for photos with Mia, Liam, Theo and Jane, we opened the doors, and Sarah and the other residents who’d come to help checked off the people who’d signed up to become members.

Mia and Liam stuck around for a while and even spent hundreds of pounds on novels in our bookshop. I still couldn’t get over their kindness and how lovely they were.

‘I’m so proud of you, bestie!’ Sarah gave me a big squeeze, then picked up her bag. She had to rush to get her train home.

‘Thanks for everything.’

‘You’re welcome! I’m so glad to see you happy, hon. And Theo isn’t just fit as fuck, he’s a real sweetheart too. And by the way, I’m still waiting for news on his brothers…’ She raised her eyebrow.

‘I’ll make enquiries as soon as things calm down here.’

‘Fair enough. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so I’ll let you off this time. I’d better go. Say bye to Theo and Jane for me.’

‘Will do!’

After seeing Sarah off, I went to find Theo. He was in the office going through some paperwork.

‘Hi!’ I came over to him.

‘You did it!’ He leapt off his seat and gave me a massive hug.

‘No,’ I corrected. ‘We did it! There’s no way I could’ve done this alone.’

‘You’re the one who put in all the hard work. Are you pleased with how it went?’

‘So happy! We’ve sold a load of books and had lots of new members signing up.’

‘Brilliant!’

Theo was about to say something when his phone started ringing. He looked at the screen and groaned.

‘What’s up?’

‘It’s my father.’ He answered the call. ‘Yes? I told you, I’m taking the week off. No. I can’t. I’m busy today.’

Theo ground his jaw. His dad was talking so loudly I could pretty much make out every word. He was saying that he needed him back at the office, immediately.

My stomach sank. Even though the opening part was over, I really didn’t want Theo to leave. But it wasn’t fair of me to stand in the way of his job.

‘I told you, no!’ Theo snapped. ‘In fact, fuck taking the week off. I’m not coming back. I’m sick and tired of you dictating to me. Telling me to jump and expecting me to say how high. And I’m also sick of you dangling the carrot of me becoming CEO. I delivered on the Paris project, but I’ve realised it doesn’t matter how well I do. You have no intention of retiring anytime soon and you have no intention of giving me the position. And you know what? I don’t care anymore. Find some other schmuck to treat like shit, because I’m done.’

Theo hung up.

‘Oh my God!’ I gasped. ‘You just quit!’

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