9. “Sorry about Mr. Darcy. He’s a cuddler.” #2
She nods, scratching Mr. Darcy’s head. “Yep. Well, he technically belongs to our bookstore. Our secret weapon for attracting customers, as you can imagine.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I can see that. By the way, your display is beautiful. Makes me want to read all the books in there.”
“Come on in. We have loads more inside.”
I follow her through the door, and the place is instantly welcoming.
The cozy book shop is bathed in a warm, soft glow from hanging fairy lights and a few scattered desk lamps.
There’s a reading nook right in the middle of the room with mismatched armchairs and a two-seater couch, and the shelves are filled with neatly organized rows of romance novels arranged by theme.
“Are you from around here?” she asks, turning to face me.
“I take it you’ve never met me before?” I ask, still petting Mr. Darcy.
“I don’t think so. Should I know you?”
I sigh. “I was hoping you would. I was in an accident, and I lost my memory. It’s a little compl—”
“Oh, you’re th e girl who got hit during the game on Friday!” she exclaims, causing Mr. Darcy to jump out of my arms. “Max mentioned you were staying with Caleb. Is your eye okay?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Just a scratched cornea. You know Caleb?”
“I do.” She smiles warmly. “He’s pretty much responsible for this place. Our contractor disappeared on us right before opening day, and the entire Raptors team came together to help. Caleb took over the role of contractor, since he knows a thing or two about construction.”
“Oh, wow. That’s impressive,” I say, doing a double take to admire the space. The interior definitely has that professional touch, everything put together with care. “I’m Aria, by the way.”
“Hayley.”
“So, how did you come to be friends with an NHL team?”
“My husband, Maxime Beaumont, plays for the Raptors. I met him when they helped us with the store. He’s my friend Alice’s brother. She should be back down any minute, by the way. She’s upstairs getting some lunch.”
“Wow. It must be great working with your friends.”
“It really is,” she says with a smile. “There’s three of us, and we even lived together right above the store for a while.
Now, Alice lives here with her boyfr iend, Deacon.
He owns the bar next door, and they connected their apartments.
Our other friend Emma lives with her husband.
Anyway, enough about my life. Have a look around. Pick any book you want—it’s on us.”
“Oh, no. That’s very kind, but I don’t even know if I’m a reader, so—”
“Please, it’s my pleasure. That way, you’ll know for sure. We do only have romance, though.”
I chuckle. “That’s a good point.”
I wander around the store, trailing my fingers over the spines of the books, opening a few of them to smell the pages.
There’s something so familiar about it. I’m pretty sure I used to do that often.
Maybe I worked in a bookstore too? I’m instantly drawn to the romantic comedy section, where all the books have pretty, colorful covers and funky fonts.
I’m reading the back cover of a sweet romcom when something touches my boot. I glance down to find Mr. Darcy swatting at me, trying to get my attention. I squat down to see he’s in some kind of cat nook built into the bookshelves. “Well, you look cozy in there,” I say, petting him.
“Oh, yeah,” Hayley chuckles a s she walks by. “Caleb built that for him, actually. Mr. Darcy will forever be grateful.”
Someone knocks on the window, and the front door swings open.
“Hey, Hayley,” Beth calls. “Just picking up Aria. We’re going shopping.”
“I can’t help but notice you’re alone. Are you leaving Marissa outside because she’s on a book ban?” Hayley laughs.
“Yep.” Beth glances back at Marissa, who’s pacing in front of the store. “She wouldn’t be able to resist.”
“Why is she on a book ban?” I can’t help but ask.
“Marissa is a big reader,” Beth says. “And a big book buyer. Her husband says she can’t buy any more books until she’s read through her Tbr pile.”
“What’s a Tbr pile?”
Beth chuckles. “I know. I was new to all this bookish jargon too. It’s your to-be-read pile.”
“Oh, I see.”
“Tough for our business,” Hayley says, shaking her head. “What if we put Emma on a coffee ban, huh? You guys would be bankrupt within weeks,” she scolds Beth before glancing at me. “Emma is a huge coffee addict.”
Beth gives her a pointed look. “Please! You guys wouldn’t last two days with Emma on a coffee ban.”
Hayley’s shoulders fall. “She’s got a point. Emz is a bit of a grump,” she tells me with a wink.
“All right, we’d better get going,” Beth says. “Before Marissa cracks and I have Aaron to answer to.”
“Nice to meet you, Aria,” Hayley says. “Come back anytime. And keep that book,” she adds, gesturing to the romcom I’m still holding. “I haven’t read it, but my friend Alice loves that author.”
I smile, my eyes falling on the book. “Thank you. I’ll be back for more.”
As I follow Beth outside, Marissa welcomes me with a bright smile, despite the fact that she was apparently two seconds away from marching right in there.
A laugh spills out of me as we walk together.
I think Caleb was right. Some fresh air and girl talk might be exactly what I need to start feeling like myself again.