47. Jess
47
Jess
F or probably the hundredth time this morning, I walked through the library aisles to check that everything was okay.
In just over two hours, The Romance Library would be officially declared open.
I couldn’t believe it.
I’d come a long way.
Who would’ve thought when I turned up to Mrs Davis’s house that day that meeting her would cause my life to change so dramatically?
The journey to this point hadn’t been easy, but whatever happened, it’d been worth it.
I took in the sight of the bookcases, which were now filled with multiple romance subgenres including contemporary, historical, paranormal, new adult, romantic comedy and LGBTQ.
My phone pinged. It was a message from Mia saying that she and Liam were almost here.
I was surprised that they were coming so early. I thought celebrities always showed up late and only ever hung around for the minimum amount of time they needed to. But clearly Mia and Liam were different.
‘Everything’s looking great in the bookshop,’ Theo said. ‘Jane and Celeste are just double-checking the tills.’
‘Great, thanks.’
Celeste was Bob and Barbara’s daughter. She went to uni in Leeds but was back home briefly for the summer holidays and had offered to help out in the bookshop whilst I looked for someone more permanent. That was top of my to-do list for tomorrow as there was no way Jane and I could do everything alone.
‘How are you feeling?’ Theo rubbed my shoulder.
‘Nervous, but excited! And Mia and Liam should be here any minute.’
‘Excellent. Looks like we’re all set!’
‘They’re here!’ Jane came rushing into the library. ‘And there’s already a load of people gathering outside.’
‘We’ll be right there.’ I rushed outside and Theo and Jane followed.
The car door of a black Mercedes opened and Mia and Liam stepped out.
OMG.
My stomach bottomed out. I’d never met any celebrities in real life before. I couldn’t believe they were both standing a few feet away from me. Jane gave me a nudge to bring me back to reality.
There was something I was supposed to be doing…
Oh yeah. Saying hello would be a good start.
‘Mia, Liam, hi! I’m Jess. So lovely to meet you!’ I held out my hand .
‘Come here.’ Mia opened her arms for a hug. ‘Great to meet you too! This place looks fantastic. Congratulations!’
Mia was wearing a fitted baby-pink dress, which complemented her brown skin perfectly. Her smooth, dark shoulder-length hair was so immaculate, it looked like she’d just stepped out of a salon.
‘Hey, Jessica,’ Liam said, opening his arms for a hug too. He looked tall and muscular, just like he did on TV. This was so surreal. ‘Good to meet you. Congrats on the new venture.’
‘Thanks so much! This is Jane.’ I gestured towards her. Jane was rooted to the spot and now it was my turn to give her a nudge.
‘Hi!’ she squeaked. ‘I’m just going to check that Bob’s okay managing the crowds.’
‘Okay, thanks.’ I nodded. ‘And this is—’
‘Nice to see you again, Theo,’ Liam said, and my eyes bulged.
‘Hello, Liam, thanks for being here.’
‘You two know each other?’ I frowned.
‘We met in Paris,’ Theo said. ‘Through a mutual friend.’
‘Theo was gushing about this amazing woman who was opening a library. I said that was a coincidence, because my girlfriend was also opening a romance library for this brilliant female entrepreneur.’
‘Then we realised we were talking about the same library and Liam kindly asked if he thought it would help if he came along too,’ Theo added.
‘Yep. Thought it might earn him a few romance brownie points and help him win you back. Did it work?’ Liam smirked .
‘Well…’ I paused, still trying to take everything in. ‘If he’d bragged about getting you to help me, it might’ve, but he didn’t. Knowing Theo, I’m guessing he didn’t tell me because he didn’t want to take away from my big moment.’ I looked at Theo, but he didn’t say anything, he just smiled.
‘What a gent.’ Liam nodded his approval. ‘That alone is a reason to be with him, am I right? He’s a good guy.’
‘I know.’ I wrapped my arm around Theo. ‘I would’ve welcomed him back with open arms anyway. His thoughtfulness and sweet gestures were just the cherry on top.’
‘You two are adorable !’ Mia smiled.
‘Thanks. I hope we’ll be as happy as you two. I really appreciate you both taking time out of your busy schedules to help.’ I opened the door for the library so they could step inside. I’d already noticed a few photographers hanging about, so wanted to give them their privacy until the official ribbon-cutting.
‘No worries,’ Liam said.
‘It’s a pleasure! We love romance and books, so this is a dream. I hope you don’t mind us turning up early,’ Mia said. ‘I thought it would be nice to have a look around before everyone arrived. I can take some pics and share them later on social media too if you like?’
‘That’d be… amazing!’ I gushed.
Theo and I gave them a tour of the library and they both said how much they loved it. They even offered to take a selfie with the four of us. Mia and Liam really were the sweetest.
What felt like five minutes later, Jane came inside and announced that there was only forty minutes to go until the official opening time .
When I looked out of the window and saw the crowds, I gasped. There were hundreds of people that had all gathered to see the opening of a library that I’d helped bring to life. This was crazy.
‘We’ve got fifteen volunteers from the town. Some are helping to control the crowd and the rest I’ve given different tasks to help in the library and the bookshop, so we’re ready to go. Oh, and Kara’s in the events room with Maddie. She said to pop in if you want a quick hair and make-up touch-up.’
‘Great! I’ll be there in a minute. And Jane,’ I said. ‘Thanks for everything.’
‘You’re welcome. I’m so excited to get this library open!’
Thirty-five minutes later we were standing in front of the main door, which had a big pink ribbon across it and pink and white balloons on either side.
I’d never done any public speaking before so my stomach was in knots, but when I looked out into the crowd and saw all the friendly faces of the residents of Sunshine Bay who’d given up their time to come and support me, as well as Cecil, who’d been so helpful throughout this whole process, Sarah, who’d taken time off work to be here, Jane, who’d been a godsend, and of course my amazing man, they all gave me the courage to step out of my comfort zone once again.
‘Afternoon, everyone!’
‘Good afternoon,’ they chorused.
‘Thank you so much for coming to the official opening of The Romance Library. In a moment I’m going to hand you over to one of the most romantic couples I’ve ever met, Mia Bailey and Liam Stone, to cut the ribbon.’ A crowd of women screamed like groupies. ‘Oooh, looks like you have some fans!’ I joked and the audience laughed. ‘But first, I’d like to take a moment to honour the woman who made this possible: Mrs Meredith Davis. Sadly she’s no longer with us, but her dying wish was to create a romance library so that more people could discover the joy that comes from reading romance. She trusted me to bring her legacy to life, and I hope she’s looking down right now and thinks that I’ve done her dream justice. Anyway, enough from me. Please put your hands together and give our very special guests a very warm welcome. Ladies and gentlemen, Mia Bailey and Liam Stone!’
The crowd erupted into cheers and whoops as Mia and Liam appeared with a large pair of scissors.
‘How’s everyone doing?’ Liam shouted into the microphone. ‘You ready for some more romance in your lives?’
‘Yes!!’ they screamed enthusiastically.
‘I’m gonna hand you over to my amazing, talented and utterly gorgeous girlfriend to do the honours.’
‘Thanks.’ Mia smiled. ‘As an avid romance reader myself, it gives me great pleasure to declare The Romance Library in Sunshine Bay officially… open!’
As she cut the ribbon, Liam leant over and pressed a kiss on her lips, giving the swarm of photographers a perfect shot of them smooching directly underneath the large pink ‘The Romance Library’ sign.
I couldn’t have asked for more.
After I posed for photos with Mia, Liam, Theo and Jane, we opened the doors, and Sarah and the other residents who’d come to help checked off the people who’d signed up to become members.
Mia and Liam stuck around for a while and even spent hundreds of pounds on novels in our bookshop. I still couldn’t get over their kindness and how lovely they were.
‘I’m so proud of you, bestie!’ Sarah gave me a big squeeze, then picked up her bag. She had to rush to get her train home.
‘Thanks for everything.’
‘You’re welcome! I’m so glad to see you happy, hon. And Theo isn’t just fit as fuck, he’s a real sweetheart too. And by the way, I’m still waiting for news on his brothers…’ She raised her eyebrow.
‘I’ll make enquiries as soon as things calm down here.’
‘Fair enough. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate, so I’ll let you off this time . I’d better go. Say bye to Theo and Jane for me.’
‘Will do!’
After seeing Sarah off, I went to find Theo. He was in the office going through some paperwork.
‘Hi!’ I came over to him.
‘You did it!’ He leapt off his seat and gave me a massive hug.
‘No,’ I corrected. ‘ We did it! There’s no way I could’ve done this alone.’
‘You’re the one who put in all the hard work. Are you pleased with how it went?’
‘ So happy! We’ve sold a load of books and had lots of new members signing up.’
‘Brilliant!’
Theo was about to say something when his phone started ringing. He looked at the screen and groaned.
‘What’s up?’
‘It’s my father.’ He answered the call. ‘Yes? I told you, I’m taking the week off. No. I can’t. I’m busy today. ’
Theo ground his jaw. His dad was talking so loudly I could pretty much make out every word. He was saying that he needed him back at the office, immediately.
My stomach sank. Even though the opening part was over, I really didn’t want Theo to leave. But it wasn’t fair of me to stand in the way of his job.
‘I told you, no !’ Theo snapped. ‘In fact, fuck taking the week off. I’m not coming back. I’m sick and tired of you dictating to me. Telling me to jump and expecting me to say how high. And I’m also sick of you dangling the carrot of me becoming CEO. I delivered on the Paris project, but I’ve realised it doesn’t matter how well I do. You have no intention of retiring anytime soon and you have no intention of giving me the position. And you know what? I don’t care anymore. Find some other schmuck to treat like shit, because I’m done .’
Theo hung up.
‘Oh my God!’ I gasped. ‘You just quit!’
‘I did.’ A wide grin spread across his face. ‘Deep down, I’ve wanted to do it for a while. I don’t have to follow in my father’s footsteps. I’ve wasted enough years conforming to what he wanted. This is my life. I want to live it my way and follow my own path. I’m finally free,’ he exhaled. ‘And it feels fucking fantastic!’
Theo picked me up and spun me around.
‘I bet your dad is pissed !’
‘I don’t care! He’ll cut me off, I know that much. He’ll take the penthouse and the cars, but I have some savings. And if my time in Sunshine Bay has taught me anything, it’s that I don’t need much to make me happy. All I need is the woman I love. ’
Theo held my gaze and I blinked, then blinked again as I took in what he’d just said.
‘You… love me?’
‘So fucking much.’ He pressed his lips on mine gently.
‘I thought I was the only one,’ I said.
‘I reckon there’s plenty of other people that love you, but I’m glad you love yourself too. That’s important!’ Theo chuckled.
‘Doh! I didn’t mean that I thought I was the only one who loved me !’ I slapped his chest playfully. ‘I meant I thought I was the only one that was in love—with you .’
Theo stilled.
‘You really know how to make a man’s day, don’t you?’ The biggest grin spread over his face. ‘Hearing that the most amazing woman in the universe loves me—they’re the sweetest words that have ever been spoken.’
‘That sounds like a line out of a romance novel.’
‘It’s all my own words. But if you like, I can record an audio version…’ He smirked.
‘I’d like that very much!’
Theo closed the gap between us and kissed me. As our mouths moved together, a warm feeling rushed through me.
Theo loved me.
He’d told me he loved me, and I felt it.
I felt it in the way that he kissed me.
I felt it in the way he held me and all the wonderful things he’d done to help me.
It was so brave of him to tell his dad that he was quitting. I wanted to see him fly. And support him as he achieved his goals. Just like he’d done for me .
As we broke away from the kiss, we stared into each other’s eyes.
‘I’m so proud of you, Jess.’ He brushed a curl away from my face.
‘Thanks. I’m proud of you too.’
‘Why?’
‘Because you had the balls to tell your arsehole dad to stick his job. That can’t have been easy.’
‘Actually, it was. I couldn’t do that job and stay here with you, so there was no contest.’
‘You’re going to stay ? Here in Sunshine Bay?’
‘Yes. If that’s okay with you? We can look for a flat or house together. As much as the B&B grew on me, I think it’d be nicer if we had our own place. What do you say?’
‘I say hell yeah !’ I threw my arms around him again. ‘And any thoughts on what you might like to do, career-wise?’
‘For once, I haven’t got a clue. And that’s actually a huge relief. Since birth, I’ve had my whole life mapped out for me, so I’m happy to just go with the flow for a bit. Give myself time and space to work out what I really want to do, rather than what’s expected of me.’
‘Great idea.’
‘That also means I’ll have time to help you out here for a while.’
‘I’d love that! And, y’know, you could always consider doing audiobook narration as a side or even a main hustle…’ I grinned.
‘I’ll think about it. But until then, this voice will only be reading steamy romance for an audience of one: my exceptionally talented and beautiful girlfriend. ’
‘Awww, I like the sound of that. When’s your next available slot?’ I smiled.
‘Whenever you want.’ Theo leant forward and kissed me gently. ‘Whatever you need, Jess, whether it’s reading your favourite romance novels to you before bed, helping you make this library an even bigger success or just bringing you a chocolate muffin or a slice of angel cake in the afternoon, I’ll always be there for you.’
‘You’re the best!’ I kissed him again. ‘And right back atcha. I promise to keep you well stocked with the latest thrillers and romance novels, support you with whatever career path you take and give you an unlimited supply of crumpets!’
‘Throw in an unlimited supply of kisses and you’ve got yourself a deal.’ Theo grinned.
‘Done. When would you like them to start?’
‘Right now, of course.’
And as Theo wrapped his arms around my waist and our lips pressed together, I knew that even a lifetime of kisses with him would never be enough.