Page 38 of Bookish Boys Don't Date Social Girls
My nerves begin to fire as I approach the bookstore. It’s so annoying to feel this nervous. I thought I had mastered my expectations by simply making myself available. I’m walking in front of the store’s big picture window, filled with the latest books, when it hits me that Brent might not be working today. The thought halts me. Do I want to go inside and pick up those books if he isn’t even around? The sun’s glare on the window prevents me from peering inside to see if he’s working. But since I’m standing in plain sight right now, it would be strange for me to leave.
With the very real possibility he isn’t working, my stomach unknots, and I pull the door open stress-free.
The store is crawling with patrons. Something about the way they are dressed, or the way they are browsing in packs tells me most of them are tourists. I could be wrong though. I step around a family of five who collectively examine the back cover of a book and then dodge a couple walking toward the exit, a Beckett’s Bookstore bag swinging from the girl’s arm.
And there is Brent, ringing up another customer. He’s smiling and agreeing with something the lady said, and that smile makes me catch my breath just like it always does. Man, I want to make him smile like that. All the time.
I head to the coffee bar and slide onto a seat.
Brent glances over his shoulder. “I’ll be right…oh, hey, Sam. Be right there.”
“Take your time.”Because I love to watch you.I get my phone out of my purse and check to find I don’t have any new texts. I set it on the counter next to my purse and watch Brent ring up the two people in line behind the original customer.
When he finally comes over, I order the fanciest coffee I can think of just so he has to work on it longer. I scroll my social media like I’m not here for him specifically but steal covert glances at him as he works.
Brent sets a frothy drink in front of me. “How’s the book you got the other day? Are you enjoying it?”
“I finished it.” He lifts his brows. “I loved it. It was a little different than I’m used to. The main character didn’t start out intent on finding a boyfriend or with a crush on a certain guy. There was no indication that she would end up with anyone in the end. I was relieved when I started to see signs that her best friend liked her. He was a total cutie and they needed to get together.”
Brent chuckles.
“Oh, but the grand gesture.” I sigh.
“What do you mean?”
“To get the girl, the boy made a grand gesture. Went way out of his way to prove how much he liked her.” I blush. “It was really romantic.”
“Ah, the romantic part of rom-com.”
“Do you think stuff like that really happens in real life?” I sigh. “Nevermind. I know it does. But the grand gestures don’t always work like it did in the book.”
“You mean a promposal on the big screen isn’t romantic?”
I slam my eyes closed and scrunch my nose. Was he there that night or did he only hear about it? I peek through a single eye to see him chuckling. I sigh and look at him. “It wasa grand gesture, yeah. But it would have been romantic if I was a movie buff.”
“Ah, I see. So, the gesture itself isn’t what makes it romantic.”
“I don’t think so. I think it should be meaningful to the person specifically for it to be really special. Otherwise, it’s just an Instagram moment.”
“So true.” Brent snorts. “Good timing on finishing the book since your order came in.”
“I know! I’m so excited to get back into the series.”
Someone walks up to the register, but because Brent is facing me, his back is to them. I tip my chin in their direction. “It’s busy today.”
He glances over his shoulder and straightens. “Weekends are always busy. Especially during tourist season. All the downtown stores pick up during the summer. I’ll be right back. I’ll bring your books.”
“Thanks.” I watch his easy manner as he greets the customer, and I admire the way his body just falls into place when he stands at the register. It’s strange for me to want to be with someone this much. My feelings don’t usually have a chance to develop and deepen before we start to date. On the one hand, I like the thrill of seeing him. The anticipation that builds when I know I’ll be able to talk to him. On the other hand, I hate the disappointment when he casually brushes me off.
Bek suggested I ask why he turned down my invitation. I would love to ask, but if I’m honest with myself, I’m afraid of the answer. What if it’s something I can’t fix, and it completely snuffs out moments like this? But what if it is something I can fix, and we end up dating? Wouldn’t that be worth the risk?
I sigh. Not just because I have no idea what to do, but also because someone just sauntered into line behind the personhe’s helping. I don’t think I’m going to have the opportunity to ask him anything today, even if I did want to.
I sip my coffee and watch people browse. There is an adorable couple, maybe college age, who seem glued together at the hip. They’re standing in front of the travel section, and from here it looks like they’re picking up books about our town. Snatching a copy of the pocket travel guide I’ve paged through before out of its display, I hop off my stool and stride over to the couple.
“If you’re looking for all the inside info on Oak Grove, can I suggest this adorable little guide? It offers little bursts of history alongside suggestions on where to visit. You even learn how to access the local’s menu at the café.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s perfect,” the girl gushes. She takes the guide from me with a grin and flips through the pages. “It’s so cute, too.”
