Chapter 63 - Sarah
SARAH
Knowing how well the retreat had turned out, I shouldn’t have really been surprised at how fantastic the book bar looked when I stepped inside, but somehow, my jaw was still hanging on the floor.
This was everything I’d hoped it would be and more.
There was a circular bar in the centre of the space and the glass bar top wasn’t just your bog standard one. It was like a display case with an assortment of romance books housed inside which we could apparently change according to what we wanted to promote.
Bookish quotes were printed on the back of the bar stools.
On the terrace, which had been custom built, there were several sun loungers giving stunning panoramic sea and beach views. The loungers even had tables that could be pulled in front of you with book and Kindle stands to make it easier to read.
And the daybeds looked so comfy. Especially with the assortment of glittery pink cushions scattered all over them.
There was even a dedicated viewing point with extra-high stools for those who wanted to enjoy the striking scenery.
The official opening was in just a few hours and I already knew that our members would love it.
Like Ben had originally suggested, Theo and Jess decided to charge for access.
Members could buy an afternoon or evening pass which included two alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks.
That way the library earned a minimum amount from each guest and someone couldn’t stay the whole day and just order tap water.
As much as we wanted to make the library accessible, bills had to be paid. And our members didn’t mind because we’d sold out of passes for the next week.
Yep, the library was thriving. And so was I. The past two and a half weeks had been a whirlwind. I’d been writing every day and had almost finished the first outline draft.
My new desk and laptop definitely helped. Ben had given me a key so I could go to the flat on my lunch break or whenever I wanted to write. And if I needed to stay up late to get more words down, he didn’t mind either.
Ben joked that he could fall asleep standing in front of a tree and he was right, because even with the sound of me typing, he went out like a light as soon as his head hit the pillow.
As well as being busy writing, plus promoting the bar opening and future retreats, I’d been putting the finishing touches to the wedding prep. I couldn’t believe that Jess and Theo would be getting hitched on Sunday, which was just three days away.
Time really did fly.
I hadn’t spoken to Ben yet about his plans, but I didn’t need to. Every day we grew closer. The fact that he’d gone to all that trouble to set up the desk for me spoke volumes. He’d invited me to leave some clothes and stuff there too, which again, wasn’t something you did for a fuckbuddy.
And it didn’t feel like just sex anymore. As cheesy as it sounded, it felt deeper. Like making love.
Ben’s surprise was also ready for him. I’d been thinking about when to reveal it and decided that after the wedding would be good.
Although he said he’d been enjoying helping out with the prep, I knew that the day might stir up some painful emotions.
So hopefully the surprise would lift his spirits.
Things were going so well that it felt a bit silly to even mention the possibility of him leaving when it was clear he would stay. After all, he felt the same way I did. I saw it in the way that he looked at me. His actions spoke much louder than his words ever could.
Yeah.
For once, I wasn’t going to stress.
Everything was going to be great.
I was sure of it.