Page 23 of Beanful Wishes

My cheeks heat up. "She's working. Covering the fall festival for the station."

Elena's eyes twinkle knowingly. "Ah, I see. Well, she's missing out on all the fun here."

As we sort through the new books, Elena leans in close. "You know, Jake, I noticed the way the two of you kept glancing at each other. Some real chemistry there."

I nearly drop the book I'm holding.

"Oh, honey. It's obvious to anyone with eyes. Did you go on a date?” Elena asks.

“Not really. We’re working together.” It would be unprofessional, wouldn’t it? “We’ve had coffee together a couple of times.”

Elena laughs. “You should go for it, ask her out properly."

"You think?" I ask.

"Absolutely," Elena nods firmly. "Life's too short to waste time wondering 'what if'. Take it from someone who knows."

I mull over her words as we continue working. Maybe she's right. Maybe it's time to take that leap.

The setting sun paints the Cape Fear River in hues of orange and gold as I lean against the railing at Riverfront Park. It's my favorite spot to come and think, the gentle lapping of water against the shore a soothing backdrop to my thoughts.

"Beautiful evening, isn't it?" a voice beside me says.

I turn to see an older man, probably in his seventies, gazing out across the water.

"It sure is." I nod in agreement.

"I don't think I've seen you around here before," the man comments. "New to Wilmington?"

I chuckle. "Not exactly. I've been here about six months now." I don’t tell him that I stop by here at least once a week.

"Ah, still getting your sea legs then," he jokes. "How are you finding it?"

I take a moment to reflect, thinking back on everything that's happened since I moved here. "It's been surprising, actually. I feel like I've found my place here."

The man nods sagely. "That's a rare and wonderful thing, young man. Hold onto it."

As he ambles away, I turn back to the river, my thoughts drifting to Sophia. I wonder how her day at the fall festival went, if she's thinking about the Reading Oasis too.

As if summoned by my thoughts, my phone rings. Sophia's name flashes on the screen.

"Hey," I answer, unable to keep the smile out of my voice.

"Jake! How did it go today?" Sophia asks.

"It went really well," I say, filling her in on all the details—the volunteers, the progress we made, Elena's book delivery. "I can’t wait for you to see it. It's really coming together."

"I wish I could have been there," she says, a tinge of regret in her voice.

"Hey, don't worry about it. You've been such a huge part of this project. We couldn't have done any of this without you,"

"Really?"

"Really. Without you, we wouldn’t have gotten supplies and funds together so quickly. You've inspired so many people to get involved."

I can almost hear her smile through the phone. "Thanks, Jake. That means a lot."

"So, how was the fall festival?"

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