Page 1 of Never To Forever

CHAPTER ONE

MARIE

Smack.

Ding.

“Son of a bitch!” I hiss, rubbing the spot on my forehead where the coffee shop door just smacked me.

It’s too early for this. I haven’t had my coffee, and I’m not fully human yet. Not able to focus or have any real awareness of my surroundings, which is why I just tried to open the door with my face. Grumbling under my breath, I push the door open; the bell dinging again.

The scent of fresh coffee and pastries hits me as soon as I walk through the door, causing a sigh of relief to escape me. This is what I need to really get my day going.

Travis, the barista, looks up and smiles at me as I cross to the counter.

“Hey, Marie,” he says, his brown eyes crinkling in the corners. “The usual?”

“Yes, please.”

“Coming right up.”

He turns to make my oat milk latte while I stand to the side and wait. Travis is a good kid, and he always gives me an extra pump of caramel because we bonded over his favorite fantasy book last year. I was able to get the complete series from the library, and as a result, I’ve earned free caramel for a lifetime.

While I wait, I dig my phone out of my pocket and check Instagram. The newest photo on my feed is of Haven, my best friend, holding a onesie in the air with a wide smile, announcing Baby Tallow’s existence to the world. Her brown eyes sparkle and her auburn hair flows around her shoulders. The sight forces a smile to my lips. I honestly still can’t believe that she’s where she is right now.

Can’t wait for our little one! Can’t come soon enough.

“Marie! Your latte is ready!”

Blinking, I look up to find Travis holding up my to-go cup with a wide smile on his baby face. Tucking my phone back in my pocket, I make my way over to him to take the coffee.

“Thanks.” Once the God’s nectar hits my tastebuds, I moan in delight. “It’s delicious, as always.”

“Busy day?” He asks, his smile widening as he wipes the counters with a white rag.

“Nothing out of the ordinary. Heading to work, like every other morning.”

He nods, looking genuinely interested in my answer, even though we have similar conversations most days when I stop in. I’m a creature of habit. On my walk to work as the local library’s Associate Librarian, I always stop in for my latte, have a quick chat with Travis, and then continue on my way to the library.

“Has the new book in theDark Sorcerer Chroniclesarrived yet?” he asks eagerly.

“Not yet. It should be in this week. I’ll let you know the moment it arrives, though.”

“Thanks, Marie,” he beams, excitement dancing in his eyes. I love when I see people get excited about books… especially young people. It gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling and makes me happy to walk into the library every day.

“Oh, shoot, look at the time,” I quickly say, checking my watch. “I should get going. Don’t want to be late. See you tomorrow!”

“See you, Marie!”

Strolling down the sidewalk, I enjoy my coffee and the calm before I get to work. The library is just off Main Street, so about a five-minute walk from the coffee shop. The sun gets higher and its warmth banishes away the morning chill. It won’t get too much warmer even though it’s Texas and the end of January, but it’s still going to be a beautiful day.

Those feelings dip when I cross in front of the last building on the street. Pausing, I stare at the locked front doors and dark windows of the storefront. It’s dark inside and slightly rundown, but there’s an old-fashioned charm with carved details around the front door and windows that call to me.

There’s so much potential here. It’s easy to imagine walking inside to shelves of books and the smell of coffee. Having my latte in my hand is really helping me with the visualization. People would browse the bookshelves, trying to decide on a purchase. Other patrons would sit by the large front windows at little tables, sipping hot drinks. This bookstore would have a wide selection of all genres, and there would be other seating areas with cushioned chairs where people could sit, relax, and talk about what they’re reading.

I’m filled with a mixture of longing and sadness as I stand there, imagining what this abandoned little shop could be… and what it used to be—a cute little boutique that sold women’s clothing and was as good as a playground for a little girl. When it was my mom’s store, the interior was painted white with brightly colored flowers all over the walls. Mom would bring me with her, and I would run around the place as long as I didn’t bother the customers.

This used to be one of my favorite places in the world, but now it symbolizes my disappointments and shortcomings. I have so many plans and dreams for this place, but I’ve barely done anything to it since I took full possession at eighteen. After my mom died in a car accident when I was seven, I was told the store was put into a trust for me. Apparently, they didn’t trust a child to own and operate a small business. When I turned eighteen and was old enough to fully take over, I planned on opening the bookshop that I’d been dreaming of since I was a teenager.

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