Epilogue Austen
I stood on tiptoes, reaching for a stack of books on the top shelf of the classics section. Spring rain pattered against the front windows of Plot Twist, but I had an array of candles lit and smooth jazz on the stereo to counter the gray outside with some cozy as the late afternoon headed toward evening. The shop was empty except for me and Cliffhanger, who was sprawled across the checkout counter in his usual “Don’t even think about moving me” pose.
“You could help, you know.”
Cliff cracked one eye, yawned, and went right back to sleep.
I’d been reorganizing the classics section all afternoon, partly because it needed it, and partly because I needed something to keep my hands busy. Spring meant reorganization in my world, both in my apartment and here in the shop. There was just something about purging and neatening things that put me in a great headspace.
Not that I’d been a bad one. I spent most of my time living on cloud nine these days. The past six months with Clint had been like being thrown into the plot of one of my favorite romance novels—only better because it was actually happening. I knew because I’d pinched myself on more than one occasion to check. Given that Clint was basically another son to my parents, they’d been thrilled about the two of us. Everybody was on board, but sometimes I still couldn’t quite believe that my teenaged dreams had come true.
At a particularly loud burst of thunder, I jolted, and several Jane Austen novels tumbled from my arms.
“Perfect. At least nobody’s here to see that spectacular display of grace.” I bent to retrieve the scattered books.
The bell over the door chimed, making me straighten so fast I nearly dropped the books again.
“I wouldn’t say nobody.” Rhett’s familiar laugh filled the shop. “Though I guess I don’t count, being your brother and all.”
“What are you doing here?” I checked my watch. “Aren’t you supposed to be at the fire station?”
“Can’t a guy visit his favorite sister at work?”
“I’m your only sister.” I took in the boxes in his arms. “And why do you have boxes?”
“Details.” He shrugged out of his rain jacket, scattering droplets everywhere. “Actually, Mom asked me to drop these off. She found them in the attic. Said there might be some of your old school stuff in there you’d want to look through.”
I shelved the last of the Austens properly and climbed down from the stool. “You couldn’t have dropped those at my apartment?”
Rhett set the two battered cardboard boxes down near the register, earning a disgruntled look from Cliff. “Figured you might want something to do during the slow part of your shift. Besides, when was the last time we hung out, just the two of us?”
He had a point. Between his schedule at the station, my running the store, and both of our relationships, we hadn’t had much sibling time lately.
“Fine. But if you’re staying, you’re helping me go through these boxes.”
“Deal.” He dragged one of the comfy chairs near the register. “Remember when we used to do our homework at the library after school? Back when Mom would let us camp out at that big table in the reference section?”
I smiled, settling into my own chair. “You mean when you were supposed to be doing homework but spent all your time playing thumb football with Clint, while I studied?”
“I had a lock on algebra. What did I need to study for? Besides, I had to be a good big brother and keep Clint distracted from you.” He pulled the first box closer and opened it. “Though I guess that worked out pretty well for you in the end.”
I couldn’t stop the automatic smile and softening of my expression. “Yeah, well…”
Rhett started pulling items from the box, setting aside old school papers and report cards. “Speaking of Clint, he mentioned taking you camping next weekend.”
“Don’t remind me. I’m still trying to figure out how he talked me into that.” I knew exactly how he’d talked me into that. He’d waited until I was blissed out on orgasms because he knew I’d agree to virtually anything then. Sneaky devil. Though, really, he mostly only had to smile at me. “I’m more of an ‘indoor camping in front of the fireplace with a good book’ kind of girl.”
“Trust me, he knows.” Rhett paused, holding something that looked suspiciously like a spiral notebook with glitter pen decorations. “Well, well, what do we have here?”
My stomach dropped. “Oh God, please tell me that’s not what I think it is.”
Rhett’s grin was pure evil as he flipped open the notebook. “Dear Diary,” he started in a falsetto voice.
“Don’t you dare!” I lunged for the notebook, but he held it out of reach.
“Mrs. Austen Ramsey,” he read, his voice shaking with laughter. “Mrs. Clint Ramsey. Austen and Clint forever.” He turned the page. “Oh look, there are hearts. So many hearts.”
I slumped back in my chair, face flaming. “I was thirteen! Everyone has an embarrassing diary somewhere.”
“Yeah, but not everyone ends up dating their middle school crush.” He waggled his eyebrows at me. “Want to see your artistic interpretation of your future wedding dress?”
“I hate you so much right now.”
“No, you don’t.” He flipped through a few more pages. “Though I have to say, your art skills haven’t improved much since seventh grade.”
“Give me that.” I snatched the notebook from his hands, but couldn’t help smiling at Past Me’s romantic dreams. The pages were covered in swooping hearts and elaborate doodles, all centered around variations of my name combined with Clint’s.
Rhett stood and stretched. “I should head to the station. Shift starts in twenty.”
“Already?” I glanced at the clock, surprised at how much time had passed.
“Yeah. Have fun with your trip down memory lane.” He grabbed his jacket, then paused at the door. “Hey, Aus?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m glad you got your happily ever after.”
The bell chimed as he left, leaving me alone with my teenage declarations of love and a snoring cat. I traced one of the hearts with my finger, remembering how many times I’d imagined Clint noticing me as more than just his best friend’s little sister.
The bell chimed again.
“Hey, beautiful.”
My heart did that funny little skip it always did at the sound of Clint’s voice. I quickly tried to close the notebook, but he’d already skirted the counter, placing one hand on the open page.
“What’s got you looking so guilty?” He bent to kiss me, then glanced at what I was holding. “What’s this?”
“Nothing!” But he’d already plucked it from my hands.
“Doesn’t look like nothing.” His eyes crinkled at the corners as he studied the page. “In fact, this looks like some pretty serious feelings, Miss MacAvoy.”
I buried my face in my hands. “Rhett is so dead.”
“Don’t be embarrassed.” He was quiet for a moment, turning pages. “Actually, there’s something you should really see in here.”
“What could there possibly be?—”
The words died in my throat as he held up the notebook, open to a page I definitely didn’t remember writing. Instead of the familiar loops and swirls of my teenage handwriting, a heavier masculine hand had written: Will you be Mrs. Austen Ramsey? Complete with more doodled hearts.
“What did you…?”
Clint lowered himself to one knee, pulling a small box from his pocket. He snapped it open to reveal a ring that sparkled in the soft glow from the candles I’d scattered around the store.
“I’ve loved you since before I even really knew what love was. And I want to spend the rest of my life being your real-life book boyfriend. Book husband? Is that a thing? Let’s make it a thing. What do you say, sweetheart? Want to make those seventh grade dreams come true?”
My inner teenager was having heart palpitations and screaming at me to answer, but I couldn’t speak. Couldn’t even seem to breathe.
Cliff chose that moment to wake up, stretch, and saunter over to headbutt Clint’s knee.
Clint flashed that crooked smile that always made my heart race. “Even the cat’s saying yes. Come on, Austen. Don’t leave a guy hanging here.”
“You…” I swallowed hard, struggling to find actual words through the shock. “It’s only been six months.”
“It’s been a lifetime. But if you need more time?—”
“No! I mean, yes! To everything!” I laughed, even as happy tears spilled down my cheeks. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”
He slid the ring onto my finger, then hauled me in, scooping me off my feet for a kiss that rivaled the romantic climax of any movie I’d ever seen. “I love you.”
Beaming so hard my cheeks hurt, I framed his face between my palms. “I love you, too.”
The shop bell chimed again.
“Is it safe to come in?” Rhett called out. “Are you decent?”
“Get in here, you sneak.” I wiped my eyes. “You were in on this the whole time, weren’t you?”
“Had to make sure my best friend and my favorite sister did this right.” He grinned, coming over to hug us both. “Though I still say you could have done better than this guy, Aus.”
“Nope.” I looked up at Clint, who watched me with so much love it made my heart ache. “He’s perfect. Better than any book boyfriend I could have dreamed up.”
“Even if I make you go camping?” Clint asked.
“Even then.” I stretched up to kiss him again. “But I’m bringing books.”