Page 105 of The Now in Forever
When I’m back at Story Club, I take in the beauty of the old blue Victorian house. Three women sit on the steps taking a selfie. People drink their coffees at the cafe tables on the porch. A smile takes over my face.
Ed might not be here, but here—this place—is pretty amazing.
I go in and take over on the register, telling Anh she should check out the free yoga class. She comes back an hour later and shoves me to the side.
After the last customer of the day leaves, I click the door shut, and Nathan falls into one of the pink velvet chairs. Robin falls into his lap with an exaggerated sigh.
“I swear, if you two break my chair…”
Robin sticks her tongue out at me. “You owe us.”
I laugh. “It's true.” I squeeze Anh next to me. “I couldn’t have done this without you all. And we get to do it all again tomorrow!”
“I need food and a drink,” Nathan says, standing up with Robin in his arms.
“At yoga, Michelle said there’s trivia tonight at The Vern.”
“Michelle?” Robin raises her eyebrows as she wiggles out of Nathan’s arms.Then turns to me. “Want to come?”
I nod. “I’ll meet you there.”
They all head out, and I’m left alone in my shop. I inhale deeply and let out a satisfied sigh. I count out the till and put the money away in the safe in the tiny back room.
Hoping to hear from Ed, I check my email, but there’s nothing. I hit Compose and start to type.
It’s real now. Story Club Books is open. It was a great day, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn't hoping to see you, that I didn’t look for your face in every customer who came in.
I know you’re busy. I’m not trying to make you feel bad. I’m just trying to be honest.
This whole email was a way for us to stay close, but I’ve never felt farther away from you.
I’m not sure this is working?—
I quickly delete the words all the way up toit’s real. What am I doing? Do I really want to cut off all communication because he wasn’t here today?
Bells jingle.
Shit. I forgot to lock the front door.
I run out. “Sorry, we’re closed.”
Standing there with a bouquet of marigolds and a leather overnight bag, in black suit pants, a dark jean jacket, and a Veruca Salt T-shirt, is Ed, his green eyes shining in the light of the chandelier.
“Hey.”
My heart is in my throat. “Hey yourself.”
He crosses the room, closing the space between us. “These are for you.”
Setting the flowers down on the counter along with his phone, he fiddles with a few things, and “Just Like Honey”plays. The thumps of the bass mirror the ones of my heart.
He holds out his hand to me. “Can I have this dance?”
Warmth spreads through my body. When I take his hand, he pulls me up into his arms. His jacket is rough under my palms. "Covert" is embroidered in hot pink stitching on the chest. I run my finger along the stitches and laugh as he twirls me around to the music.
“Oh my God. Where did you get this coat?”
“I had it made. There’s one in my bag for you, too.”
