Chapter 20 Jack #3
The kiss lasts long enough that I lose track of time, simply kissing this woman who, suddenly, I’m realizing my world is starting to revolve around, and letting myself forget about any kind of expiration date it might have.
It breaks when the bell over my door chimes, and I spot three men entering, one of whom I remember bought three tickets for the event.
My pulse pounds once more, and my gaze shifts down to where Rosie is smiling wide.
“Game time,” she says, then steps back and greets the customers with a happy grin.
Two hours later, I look around my packed shop in awe.
The room is filled with more people than have ever been here at once, with each table full and people dotted along, watching the ongoing games.
More guests stand along the side of the room with plates of the snacks Rosie set out and has been refilling before they can get too low, and I realize I did it.
We did it.
My first in-store event is a complete success, with laughter and talking and new friends being made.
I’ve already had two people come up to me and ask if this is going to be a regular thing, and the sales from this night alone prove that I could even reduce the entry ticket fee and still make it incredibly profitable.
But even if I lost money tonight, I know I’d want to do it again.
Tonight has given me the same feeling I felt years ago in school when I’d spend the night with my friends in someone’s basement, playing around a table.
Laughing, giving out tips, trading cards, and enjoying this nerdy community, it’s what made me want to turn this place into a business, but it seems the fun has gotten lost in my quest to create a successful business.
I need to find that balance again. Maybe it’s just like Rosie was saying about magic needing balance: my life needs it just as much.
“Hey, babe,” the woman in question says, as if she knew I was thinking about her.
She comes to me, and my eyes follow her, warmth moving through me.
Despite my being an ass to her this afternoon, she’s been on it all evening, making sure everyone is having a good time while I handle the gaming and sales aspect of things.
That balance has also been felt tonight in this aspect, with Rosie being the effervescent, personable host, answering basic questions, ensuring everyone had a drink or snack, and introducing people if someone looked lonely.
If I’m being honest, she’s a big part of why this whole night not only felt doable, but like something I’d want to recreate.
Gratitude takes over me, bubbling over until I need to have her in my arms. I wrap an arm around her waist and pull her into me, pressing my lips to hers.
As seems to be the way, once she’s in my arms and once my skin is on hers, the world calms.
She giggles against my lips and pulls back, looking at me with the most joy-filled smile, and for a moment, I can see it.
A future with Rosie where this is normal for us: she helps me with my events, I come and fix her heater, and we spend all of our nights together.
Where she calms my nerves with a simple kiss and a confident word, where…
But like a tidal wave crashing over me, I remember that this isn’t that.
This is not a daydream about a future together type of relationship.
I knew that to be the truth a week ago, two weeks ago, but this might be the first time I’m forced to come face-to-face with that fact, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
Thankfully, Rosie speaks, and I don’t have to think about that much longer than necessary.
“Do you mind if I take a couple of the girls across the way, let them have some late-night shopping?” She tips her head toward a group of three women who came with their boyfriends tonight.
One waves at me with a smile, and I nod my head before turning to Rosie.
“They’re a little bored—not that this isn’t the peak of entertainment, but—” I smile, cutting her off with another soft press of my lips to hers.
“It’s not for everyone. I get it.”
“Anyway, I was talking to Carlie, who came with Steven, about the new shifter romance I got in last week, and she said she couldn’t find it anywhere because it’s been sold out.
Then Grace heard we were talking about books and, well, one thing led to another.
I thought it would be a fun way to keep everyone even more content. ”
Didn’t Rosie once say something about a gamer boyfriend and a reader girlfriend being the perfect pair? Maybe there’s something to that, a way for our shops to work together in the future.
Or just a good way to explain why you two work so well together.
“Of course. That’s smart—I’d appreciate it.
I definitely want to do this again, so I want to make sure everyone has a great time.
” She gives me a wide smile, pressing another kiss to my cheek before stepping back, then giving a thumbs-up to the women behind her.
Then she moves to the side of the room where a few other guests who aren’t participating are chatting.
She talks to them, pointing to the women near the door, then across the street, and the others nod.
Another woman and a man, whose girlfriend is sitting at a table absolutely destroying Ryan, following her.
She waves at me before ushering the group across the way.