Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
Liam
I sit in the bookstore’s back office, surrounded by stacks of paperwork and the musty scent of old books. My father and grandparents have already left for New York, leaving me alone to deal with the messy business. I run a hand through my hair as I try to make sense of the books.
Who has books these days? There are computers where people keep everything in detail. He can even scan things if they’re necessary, but using a book?
“Have you been doing everything the way your grandparents did?” I mutter.
If this place was mine, the first thing I’d do with it is get new bookshelves and paint the whole thing. Then . . . Well, hire a good accountant who won’t get a stroke when he realizes that his father is sinking this place to the ground.
Fuck. I doubt this can be fixed in a couple of weeks or that my father will be here before that. Mind you, that’s plenty of time for me to figure out the situation with the bookstore. Hire people to help, someone to manage it, and convince Mom to come and give us a hand.
I’ll understand if she disagrees, but also, she worked here for at least fifteen years. I remember her bringing me when I was young and letting me play in the children’s section while she stocked shelves or tended to some of the customers. A wistful smile tugs at my lips at the memory, a bittersweet pang in my chest.
This is exactly why the place can’t go. It’s my father’s income . . . If he even makes any money out of this place. Also, a place that maybe my children can own. The thought of children takes me to Audrey. I don’t even know what she wants in life, but I hope she wants to be by my side. My heart races at the idea, a flutter of excitement and nerves in my stomach.
That reminds me that I have to go back to San Diego no matter what. I need to be close to Audrey. I already prepared a few things so that she knows I’m thinking of her. A small, secret smile plays on my lips as I imagine her reaction.
Suddenly, my phone rings, the shrill sound cutting through the silence of the office. I glance at the screen, my heart skipping a beat when I see that it’s from the plane.
I answer quickly, my voice tight with worry. “Is she okay?” I ask, my free hand clenching into a fist.
“I’m okay,” Audrey’s voice comes from the other side, and I sigh with relief. My shoulders sag, the tension draining from my body as I lean back in my chair. Just hearing her voice, knowing that she’s safe and sound . . . it’s like a weight has been lifted from my chest.
“Hey,” I breathe, my eyes fluttering closed for a moment as I relax, knowing that at least she’s safe and not upset with me. “Is it okay to say that I miss you already?” The words slip out before I can stop them, a raw honesty that feels both terrifying and exhilarating.
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, a moment of silence that stretches out between us. I can hear the soft sound of her breathing and the gentle hum of the plane’s engines in the background.
“I’m sorry,” she says finally, her voice soft and hesitant. “For running away, it was just . . .”
“Too overwhelming,” I finish for her.
“Uh-huh. It was just too much.” Her voice is small, almost timid, and so unlike her. It tugs at my heartstrings.
“You don’t need to apologize. And I seriously wish I was the one on the airplane with you.” I lean forward, my elbows resting on the desk as I cradle the phone closer to my ear.
“Did you mean what you said in the letter?” she suddenly asks, her voice trembling slightly.
“Every word. I love you, you little thief, and I hope that you’ll let me?—”
“What did you call me?” she cuts me off, her tone a mix of surprise and amusement.
“Little thief?” I repeat, a grin spreading across my face.
She scoffs, but I can hear the smile in her voice. “And what did I steal, according to you?”
“My heart,” I say, my voice low and teasing. “At least you should’ve asked for it.”
“Would you have given it willingly?” she asks, her tone turning flirty and playful. I can picture the sparkle in her eyes, the way she bites her lower lip when she’s trying to be coy.
“Probably. Somehow I think it’s always belonged to you,” I respond, my own voice taking on a teasing edge. It feels good to banter with her like this, to fall back into the easy rhythm we’re accustomed to.
“I wish I could say that I was running away from just my family, but honestly, I was running away from you too. It felt like you weren’t choosing me, and I . . . I don’t like that feeling. Having to bend over for everyone to get rejected is something I stopped doing years ago, and I don’t want to go there. I really want someone to choose me.” Her words come out in a rush, a vulnerable confession that makes my heart ache.
“I choose you, baby. Always. It’s just that things aren’t as simple.” I try to pour all the love and reassurance I can into my voice, hoping she can feel the sincerity of my words.
“I understand that now, and I should’ve let you speak, but I was too flustered back then. Which is why I said to give me space.” She sighs a soft, rueful sound that speaks volumes.
“Understandable,” I murmur, nodding even though she can’t see me. “And I respect that. I just want you to know that I’m here for you whenever you’re ready. No pressure, no expectations. Just . . . me, love you, in whatever way you’ll let me.”
There’s yet another long pause, and I grip the phone, afraid that I just scared her or . . . Well, waiting for her to speak.
“I love you too, Liam,” she whispers, her voice soft and tender. “And I want this, want us. I’m just . . . I’m scared. Scared of getting hurt, of losing myself in the process.” Her words are mixed with vulnerability, a raw honesty that tugs at my emotions.
I take a deep breath. That was too much important information at once. She loves me. She fucking loves me and that’s a good beginning. We can build from here, we just have to make sure it’s a good foundation.
After clearing my head, I say, “I know, baby. I know it’s a lot to take. I’m afraid of this too because it is new and something I’ve never dared to experience. Love sounds cruel, but somehow with you seems like the easiest thing that I’ve ever experienced. And I hope you give us a chance.”
“Chances are good,” she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice, the warmth that seeps through the phone line. “I want that too. So what do we do now? I can’t go back to Boston. I have work to do.”
“Just quit, and I’ll hire you. You can work from anywhere in the world—after all, you’ll be with the boss.” I offer, half-joking. A grin spreads across my face at the thought of having her by my side.
She laughs, the sound like music to my ears. “Ha, that’s funny. One day, I’ll have enough experience to start my own consulting business, but until then, I know I’m in the company. Thank you for the offer, though.”
“You can’t blame me for trying,” I tease.
“I won’t blame you, so . . .” She trails off, a hint of mischief in her voice that sends a shiver down my spine. “What’s really the plan? I know you like to be spontaneous but I hate to be leaving things up in the air.”
“Give me a few days or maybe weeks. The bookstore is a mess, but I promise you won’t even notice my absence.” I lean back in my chair, anxiously waiting for her response.
“That I’ve got to see,” she challenges, and I can picture the arch of her eyebrow, the playful glint in her eyes.
“Challenge accepted, Little McCallister. I love you, babe.”
“Love you too,” she murmurs, her voice soft and intimate, like a caress against my skin. “Talk to you soon.”
As we hang up, I can’t help but feel a sense of hope and excitement, giddy anticipation for when she arrives in San Diego.
I glance around the cluttered office, the stacks of paperwork and dusty shelves that seem to mock me with their enormity. But instead of feeling overwhelmed, I feel energized, a renewed sense of purpose coursing through my veins.
Because now, I have something to work toward, a reason to push through the long hours to get this straightened up fast. I have Audrey waiting for me on the other side, ready to . . . figure out what will happen to us and our newfound love.