Page 73 of Pages of Amber

“Can’t wait to see you on the big stage.” Beverly giggled.

“It’s going to be magical.” Evelyn cheered. Her phone lit up with a notification beside her. “Oh, enough about me. Emmett said Noah told him he’d be at Hidden Gems shelving new books for Mr. Arthur.”

“Then that’s where she needs to go.” Beverly nodded. She turned inquisitive eyes on Amber. “You ready?”

Anxiety, nervousness and fear roiled in her stomach, but she dug deep in search of courage. “You girls think this will work?”

“Only one way to find out.” Evelyn smiled.

She was right. One step at a time. Change into something cute and comfortable, get to the bookstore, apologize to Noah.

“Yeah okay.” She nodded shakily. “I’m ready.”

“Let’s do this, girls.” Beverly cheered.

Evelyn whooped. “Yes! We’re getting your boy genius back!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

“DEEP BREATHS, AMBER. YOU can do this.”

Her fingers cramped, tiny pinpricks shooting through them. She released them from the hem of her sweater and smoothed the front from wrinkles. Beverly had threatened to end her if she ruined the outfit before Noah saw her. The girls had wrangled her before the vanity mirror to slather her pale face with foundation, lip gloss and mascara. Her hair was in a high ponytail, and small hoops earrings clinked her skin when she moved her head. The turtle neck wool sweater complimented the light blue jeans and boots she had on. She felt good in her outfit, but the feeling didn’t extend to the task before her.

“Come on,” she whispered to herself, no doubt looking crazy to the older couple who passed her on the sidewalk. “It’s not that hard. Walk in, find him and tell him…”

Tell him what? That she was sorry and never should’ve insulted him? That she hadn’t meant to throw his words in his face after he’d confided in her. That she hadn’t meant to push him away but she had because she’d been scared he would see how broken she was and walk away himself?

Her fingers cramped in protest as she dug them back into her sweater. He was going to think she was nuts. If he even gave her a chance to say anything.

She imagined his face. Those dark eyes falling on her, matching the dark freckles popping across his nose as he flushed in anger, his mouth tightening, his hands fisting as he’d turn away from her or worse, have Mr. Arthur kick her out of the store. He’d been a regular at the bookstore way before her anyway. He had more right to be here than she did.

On the way over, as Evelyn drove the car she’d borrowed from her older sister, she had said the Hidden Gems was a sanctuary for Noah. He came to the bookstore when he needed a breather, when he wanted to clear his head or just wanted to bury himself in a haven of books until things made a little more sense.

Amber understood that more than Evelyn knew. It was why she’d started coming to the store to hole in a corner to write instead of staying locked up in her room. This was Noah’s safe space, like how her garden was hers. She may have voluntarily let him into hers, but who was to say he wanted her here?

Amber clutched her purse to her as a group of friends shouldered past her. While she got ready, Beverly had filled it with her phone, home keys and some cash. The girls had tried to pep-talk her as they rode to the store. Then they’d hugged her tight and said they would hear all the details tomorrow. Fingers crossed it would be good news. Now if only Amber could find the courage to take the first step into the store.

The door opened and a man stepped out, nearly bumping into Amber. He held a paper bag to his chest and was tucking a receipt into his coat pocket when he lifted his head and saw her. He murmured an apology, his hand going out to hold the door.

“Going in?” he asked.

A heavy swallow slid down her throat. Guess it was now or never. “Yes, thank you.”

The bell dinged when the door shut behind her, leaving Amber in the entryway. She took slow steps past the table displays, her gaze roaming around the cozy store with its black shelves, elegant blue and white scheme, round tables offering seating and the coffee bar in the corner.

“You’re looking for Noah?”

A silent scream left Amber as she stumbled into one of the displays. The books tumbled over, crashing heavily on the floor. The tables were cute additions to the store but placing them in the entryway also made them a hazard.

“I’m so sorry,” she apologized to Mr. Arthur. She’d greeted the elderly man the few times she’d come into the store to write or check out some books. When she had been leaving with Noah the last time, he and the store owner had exchanged banter that indicated a friendly relationship between them.

Mr. Arthur waved her off. “It’s fine. That display has seen better days.”

Amber bent to pick the books. The older man looked her over as he arranged them back in their place.

“You looking for Noah?”

“Uh, yeah.” She pinched the neck of her sweater. “Is he here?”

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