Page 29 of Beanful Wishes

"You'll be there for the official unveiling later this week," I remind her, bumping her shoulder playfully with mine.

"I know, I know. I'm just teasing." She grins up at me, and I'm struck again by how beautiful she is when she smiles.

"So, taking it slow." I say, a teasing lilt in my voice to match her mood. "Does that involve more dates like our dinner last night?"

Sophia pretends to consider this for a moment. "Hmm, I suppose so. But only if they end in more kisses."

"I think that can be arranged." I don’t try to keep the smug expression off my face.

We walk a bit further, discussing potential date ideas and laughing at some of the more outlandish suggestions. Suddenly, Sophia's eyes widen as she glances at her phone.

"Oh no, I'm late for an appointment!" Sophia turns to me, rising on her tiptoes to plant a quick kiss on my cheek. "I've got to run. Call you later?"

Before I can respond, she's darting off down the street, leaving me with the lingering warmth of her kiss and a goofy smile on my face.

I make my way to Coffee Loft, my steps light and my mind full of possibilities. As I push open the door, the familiar scent of coffee and pastries greets me, along with Kathryn's knowing look.

"Well, well, well," she drawls, eyeing my expression. "Someone looks like they're walking on air. Good date last night?"

I try to school my features into a more neutral expression, but the grin refuses to budge. "It was nice," I admit, aiming for nonchalance and probably missing by a mile.

Kathryn snorts, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh. 'Nice' doesn't usually come with a smile that big. But don't worry, I won't pry... for now." She jerks her thumb towards the Wishing Wall. "By the way, we've got a few new wishes up there."

Chapter Thirteen

Jake

The excited chatter of kids fills the air when I look around Mr. Thompson's classroom, my heart racing with a mix of nervousness and pride. The Reading Oasis is finally ready for its grand unveiling, and the room is packed with students, teachers, and local media.

I catch Sophia's eye from where she stands with her camera crew. She smiles and gives me a nod. Taking a deep breath, I step forward to address the crowd.

"Good morning, everyone," I say. "Thank you for being here today. What started as a simple wish on our Coffee Loft wall has blossomed into something truly extraordinary, thanks to the incredible support of this community."

As I speak, I take in the full extent of the transformation of the classroom. Colorful bookshelves line the walls, filled with an eclectic mix of titles. Comfortable bean bags and reading nooks are scattered around the room, and the interactive literary mural we brainstormed covers one entire wall.

"This Reading Oasis is more than just a room full of books," I continue. "It's a testament to what we can achieve when we come together, when we listen to each other's wishes and dreams, and when we work to make those dreams a reality."

I gesture to Mr. Thompson, who steps forward with a wide grin. "None of this would have been possible without Mr. Thompson's vision and dedication to his students. I'd like to invite him to say a few words."

As Mr. Thompson takes over, eloquently expressing his gratitude and excitement, I find my gaze drawn back to Sophia. She's watching the proceedings with rapt attention, her eyes shining with emotion. My heart swells with affection for her, remembering how instrumental she's been in bringing this project to life.

After Mr. Thompson finishes speaking, it's time for the official ribbon-cutting. We invite one of the students, a shy girl named Emery, to do the honors. As the red ribbon falls away, the room erupts in applause and cheers.

The students pour into the Reading Oasis, pulling out books and settling into the cozy reading spots. I stand back, watching with a sense of wonder as the room comes alive with excitement and curiosity.

Sophia sidles up to me, slipping her hand into mine. "You did it, Jake," she murmurs, her voice filled with pride.

I squeeze her hand gently. "We did it," I say. "I couldn't have done this without you."

She leans her head against my shoulder for a moment, and I relish the warmth of her closeness. We stay like that for a while, watching as Mr. Thompson guides students through the new space, showing them how to use the interactive elements and helping them choose books.

As the initial excitement starts to settle, I notice Elena from the bookstore entering the classroom, her arms laden with a stack of new books. She catches my eye and beckons me over.

"Jake, Sophia," she greets us warmly. "This is incredible. You've really outdone yourselves."

"Thanks, Elena," I reply. "And thank you for all your help with the book donations. It made a huge difference."

Elena waves off my thanks. "It was my pleasure. Actually, I wanted to talk to you both about something." She lowers her voice conspiratorially. "I've had an idea for a new wish, something bigger than anything you’ve done before."

---