Page 126 of Spotlight
“No.” Her tone goes glum. “The last chapter continues to elude me.”
“Just write a bad chapter and we’ll fix it later.”
She gives me a horrified look. “You know that is not how I work.”
A small laugh escapes my lips. The first one in days.
The first few guests arrive, followed by Sabrina and London.
“You guys came.” I hug each of them.
“Of course. We wouldn’t miss it,” Sabrina says.
“Look at this place. I love it.” London turns in a circle, looking around the store. “I’m not a huge reader, but I have the sudden urge to buy a whole shelf full of books.”
“Well, in that case, let me show you around,” Ruby says with a laugh.
As Ruby and London walk off, I glance around. It looks pretty good, if I do say so myself. We have games and activities; there are chairs set up for a Q&A with the author later, and a reading area for people who want to sit and quietly partake in the night. It’s like an open book club with themed food and fun.
Sabrina moves closer and lowers her voice. “How are you doing?”
Flynn left yesterday for New York to meet with the coaches and GM. He said he didn’t want to decide right away without talking to them, but he’s excited. How could he not be? It’s his dream.
“I’m…good.” I settle on the word because terrible and heartbroken feel too depressing for such a fun night.
She smirks in a way that says she isn’t buying it. She shouldn’t. I’m a terrible liar.
“I can be sad after tonight. For now, I need to focus. I want this event to be perfect.” I think this could be our niche. Maybe we host monthly book clubs or more regular author signings and events. I love the bookstore, but it’s connecting people through stories that makes me happiest. Funny how I’d forgotten that until talking with Walter about his wife’s favorite book. Every year he reads it just to feel closer to her. How incredible is that? Stories are powerful and healing and the closest thing to magic that I know. Tonight, I need to harness that magic for myself.
Sabrina nods and a look of determination etches its way into her features. “Okay, let’s do this. How can I help?”
* * *
For several hours, I manage to push all thoughts of Flynn and New York out of my brain. The bookstore is packed and it takes all of us to keep things going. The author is charming and engaging, and he stays after to sign books. They love him and we sell out of our stock.
I’m putting the last box of swag out on the table when an unexpected face walks through the door.
JT Ryan smiles when he spots me. He’s holding the hand of a stunning woman with dark brown skin. Her lips are painted cherry red and she tilts her head toward him in this cute, adoring way as she stands by his side. I walk to them, stunned. I’ve only met JT once, but he has that air about him that makes him stand out in a crowd. He has on a blue Mustangs hat, the same one Flynn so often wears, and his hazel eyes twinkle with a friendliness that puts me at ease as I approach him.
“Hi.” The greeting comes out like it’s a question. What is he doing here?
“Hey. Nice to see you.” His deep voice is filled with warmth.
“You too.” I turn my gaze to the woman. “I’m Olivia.”
“I know. I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Whitney,” she says with a knowing grin.
“You have?”
“Flynn doesn’t shut up about you,” JT says.
“And we’ve run out of new and interesting topics that don’t revolve around diapers, teething, and sleep deprivation.” Whitney shoots JT this adoring look as she lets out a small laugh.
“Teething. Yikes. I remember that.” I suck in air through my teeth.
The three of us share a laugh.
“What are you doing here?” I angle my body so I can glance at the author still signing books on the right side of the store. “Are you a fan?”
