Page 25 of Caffeinated in Amesbury
"Little do they know what's in store," I whispered under my breath, the corners of my mouth curling up in anticipation.
And then, it was showtime.
12
Felicity
Two days later…
The aroma of fresh pine mingled with roasted coffee beans as I stepped back into Caffeinated Bliss. It was transformed—an enclave of yuletide charm with twinkling lights wrapped around bookshelves that brimmed with novels awaiting our festive debut.
"Is the author here yet?" I asked Thomas, who was artfully arranging mistletoe above the door.
"Any minute now," he replied, nearly toppling off the ladder in his haste. "And Cole's setting up the signing table as we speak."
"Perfect. I'll check on the pastries and make sure the eggnog latte samples are being handed out." My hands fluttered from task to task, ensuring every tiny detail was accounted for. In my mind, I ran through the evening's itinerary, picturing each event cascading seamlessly into the next.
"Hey, Felicity," Cole called out, waving a clipboard in the air. "Where do you want the 'Meet the Author' banner?"
"Front and center, Cole. Let's give our guest of honor the spotlight they deserve," I directed, my pulse quickening with excitement.
"Gotcha," Cole replied, winking as he maneuvered the banner into position.
When the author finally arrived, I was there to greet her, the warmth of her smile dissolving any remnants of winter chill. "Welcome to Caffeinated Bliss! We're thrilled to have you."
"Thank you, Felicity," the author responded, awe coloring her tone as she took in the festive scene. "This is beyond what I imagined."
"Wait until you see the crowd," I beamed, peering out the window where people were already gathering, their faces illuminated by street lamps and anticipation.
As the event unfolded, I was everywhere—coordinating the queue of eager readers, snapping photos for the 'gram, and even jumping behind the counter to assist with the sudden influx of latte orders. A laugh escaped me when I caught Thomas trying to operate the espresso machine, his face a mask of adorable concentration.
"Here's to hoping this literary concoction brews up some magic tonight," I thought, watching as the author signed copies with a flourish, the line of fans snaking through the shop.
"Looks like your plan is working," Blair remarked, sidling up beside me with a mug of steaming cocoa.
"Let's not count our bestsellers before they hatch," I quipped, a playful glint in my eye. "But yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas—and success."
"Thanks to you," Blair added, nudging her friend gently.
"Thanks to us," I corrected, my heart swelling with pride for the little town that could—and did.
I watched, almost incredulously, as a flock of new customers streamed into the shop, their breath forming frosty clouds in the crisp air as they laughed and chattered excitedly about the night's event.
"Would you look at this?" Cole exclaimed, his face flushed with a mix of exertion and elation as he handed over another gingerbread mocha to a customer adorned in a Santa hat. "It's like every book lover in three towns decided to caffeinate their Christmas spirit here!"
"Who knew literature could be such a potent ingredient?" I mused aloud, blue eyes sparkling with accomplishment as I took in the bustling crowd. I tidied a stack of promotional flyers on the countertop, each one a testament to her relentless networking and meticulous planning.
Thomas approached me, wiping his hands on his apron. "Feedback's been amazing," he said, nodding towards a family settled into the corner with books in hand and hot chocolates on their table. "They're already asking about the next event."
I nodded thoughtfully. "We'll keep the momentum going. Maybe add a children's story hour? Kids bring parents, parents bring wallets."
"Smart," Thomas agreed.
The hours slipped by, a whirlwind of spoken word poetry and page-turning excitement. Between directing foot traffic and exchanging laughs with regulars now turned literary enthusiasts, I found my rhythm within the chaos. The notes app on my phone was a jumble of ideas and observations, each one a seed that might blossom into the next big draw.
"Hey, Felicity," Blair called out, holding up her phone. "Look at the retweets on the live readings. We're trending!"
"From small-town charm to social media stardom," I joked, but my chest warmed with pride. This was more than just business; it was community, coming together in a celebration of stories.
