Page 34 of The Bookbinder's Guide to Love

He was alone by choice. He had that big house of his that had seen better days and his grumpy friendships, but for the most part he was happy with his books. And Sera admitted that was the first time she’d seen her future. Ford gave her something she wanted to aspire to.

She would be happy to live by herself in her old age, see Liberty and Poppy and just read books and putter around her home. For the first time, she’d let herself see the future and actually knew where she wanted to be. She saw it with WiCKed Sisters too.

Amber Rapp had catapulted them forward in a way that Sera wouldn’t have thought to dream. She was a small dreamer. She was trying to change that. But when she tried to think big about other parts of her life, it felt...shefelt like she wasn’t worthy of it.

She felt like smaller was more what she could achieve.

“Thanks,” Wes said quietly.

“You’re welcome. I’m not sure it helps to hear the stories. It might put your mind at ease about the actual basis of our relationship.”

He stopped working and moved toward her, putting his hand on her shoulder. A shiver of awareness went through her as she turned her head to look at him.

“I never really thought you and Grandpa had hooked up. I just said that because I was mad.”

“At me?”

“At Grandpa’s death and myself. I am really sorry I said it.”

She smiled at him. This was the first time she’d seen him sincere. He’d been close a few times in the tavern and at Ford’s house, but this was different. His eyes were clear and those stress lines she could always see around his mouth and eyes weren’t there.

“You’re forgiven,” she said.

Speaking of Ford’s death reminded her that Liberty and Poppy were coming to the funeral with her on Saturday. “So, can I bring guests to the funeral?”

“Guests?”

“Liberty and Poppy. I was thinking more about your offer to speak as well...” She trailed off.

“They can come. As you know from calling the church, no one is banned from a funeral,” he said. “Are you going to say something about him? I think Dad and Oz might benefit from hearing some of those stories.”

“I’m going to write something, and is it okay...? Poppy offered to read it for me. I think I might cry if I tried to do it myself,” she said.

Wes’s mouth flattened and he just nodded a couple of times. “Of course that’s fine. I shouldn’t have made you feel like you didn’t deserve to be there. You and Grandpa were genuine friends. I can see that now.”

“I’m glad. I know you were hurt. I still don’t know why he left me the books, but I’m glad he did because I wouldn’t have met you otherwise.”

“Me too,” he said.

They worked quietly together for the rest of the afternoon; he shared some tips he’d learned when he worked with Ford.

Wes was showing her another side to her friend.

Nine

Wes woke to a knock on his bedroom door the next morning. He opened it and found his twin standing there.

“Hey. Dad is making breakfast. We’re here until the funeral tomorrow,” Oz said.

“Why?” he asked.

“Dad wants to go through the house and mark things for the estate sale,” Oz said. “I’ll be working from the dining room. Saw you had your stuff settled in the kitchen.”

“Yeah,” Wes said, still struggling to wake up. He had been planning to stay in the house. But the last thing he wanted to deal with today was his father, who was bound to ask questions about the books. Fuck.

“Didn’t want you coming down to us,” Oz said.

“Thanks. Appreciate that.”

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