Chapter 23
Lucy
Lucy hated herself for returning to the Little Free Library every day, for holding her breath as she opened the door and searched the spines, hoping to see something new Gatsby’s Ghost might have left.
It had been nearly a week since he stood her up, and a smarter woman probably would have taken the hint. Still, she couldn’t help hoping the fun summer they’d been having leaving books and notes wasn’t over.
Having once read a book on manifesting, she channeled what she remembered and pictured a white envelope addressed to her sitting right on the ledge. She held her breath as she swung the door open, only to exhale loudly when she walked in and saw there was no envelope. So much for manifesting.
Shoulders slumped, she began to go through the stack of new books. She picked up each one and read through the notes, smiling at the one in the thriller that said to sleep with the lights on after reading.
The last book she picked up was Harley and Me: Embracing Risk On the Road to a More Authentic Life. The picture of a motorcycle on the front combined with the female author name had her intrigued. When she flipped it open, she was surprised to find a folded-up piece of paper with Island Girl written on it.
Her heart began pounding. He was back. She nearly dropped the book as she fumbled to open the letter.
Island Girl,
I’m sorry. Unfortunately, my work unexpectedly took me away, and I wasn’t able to meet you. For that, I cannot apologize enough.
I know you took a risk. A risk you weren’t rewarded for taking. Thousands of years of evolution have taught us when to trust and when to stay holed up safe in our caves, and I betrayed the trust you probably had in me. Don’t let my absence prevent you from future risks, however.
It’s the moments—and the people—we least expect who have the power to change our lives the most.
I hope to hear from you again.
Gatsby’s Ghost
Lucy read the letter twice before sitting on the bench.
He hadn’t intentionally stood her up. Even better, he hadn’t taken one look at her and left. Life had simply gotten in the way.
She smiled as she leaned back and read the book’s blurb. It wasn’t one she was familiar with, but it certainly sounded interesting. It was about a professor and mom who, in her late forties, bought a motorcycle and learned why women don’t take more risks, but should.
She remembered interviewing for the library job years ago and being asked how her friends would describe her. “Risk averse” hadn’t been one of her three words—she’d chosen loyal, friendly, and reliable—but it certainly could have been. The biggest risk she’d taken in her life was probably keeping the bookstore, and someone else had chosen that path for her.
Flipping the book over in her hands, she marveled at how Gatsby’s Ghost chose the perfect book for her every time. He seemed to know her better than any of her friends, except for Taylor. Lucy had always thought what a person read said a lot about them, but it was crazy just how much she’d learned about Gatsby’s Ghost simply from trading books and writing a few short notes.
Who was he? Would she ever know? He didn’t ask to reschedule a meeting. Maybe he didn’t think she’d trust him enough to try again, and he was probably right. Or maybe he was simply meant to teach her something, to help her grow. She did believe people came into her life for a reason.
Okay, maybe she’d read one too many books, and her imagination was getting away from her. Regardless, she was content to continue trading books with Gatsby’s Ghost and nothing more. It was safer this way.
A stranger leaving anonymous notes in books wasn’t going to break her heart.
Lucy was getting ready to close up for the day when Jack surprised her by walking into the bookstore sans Taylor. He’d never come to shop in her store before, only tagged along with Taylor a few times.
“Jack, so nice to see you.” Lucy put down the stack of books she’d been reshelving and walked to the front to greet him.
“Lucy, hey. You busy?” He looked around the store as if checking to see if they were alone.
“Not at all. I was just putting some things away. It’s been a pretty quiet afternoon. I’m sure Taylor told you we have another community forum tonight. People are probably getting ready for that.”
“Yeah, she mentioned it.” He glanced around, shifting his weight from foot to foot and stuffing his hands in the pockets of his dress pants.
“So what can I help you with? I’m surprised to see you away from the resort. Taylor said the renovation has you working around the clock.”
“It’s been a real bear, but I think it’s coming out nicely.” He rocked back on his heels and drew in a breath. “I came by because I need your help. You know Taylor better than anyone else.”
Were he and Taylor having some sort of trouble? She hadn’t mentioned anything, but something felt off, and Lucy couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
“Sure. What kind of help?”
“Well.” He rubbed the back of his neck, not meeting Lucy’s eyes. “I want you to help me pick out an engagement ring. I want to propose to Taylor.”
Lucy’s mouth dropped open before she broke into a huge smile. Her best friend was getting married!
“That’s wonderful.” Lucy crossed the short distance between them and went up on her tiptoes to give Jack a hug. She really liked him, and she was so happy her best friend had found her person.
“So you’ll help?” Jack was smiling at her now, his shoulders relaxing.
If he’d been this nervous to tell Lucy, how was he ever going to propose to Taylor?
Lucy laughed. “Yes, of course. I know exactly what she wants. We talked about it back when I got engaged—” Lucy’s smile evaporated for a moment as she remembered the heart-wrenching moment she’d handed the ring back to Carter before he left for Chicago. “Anyway, yes. Of course. I’d be happy to help.”
“Great. Do you have time to go shopping with me tomorrow? It’s the only other day I can slip away this week. We’re waiting on a big shipment of fixtures to come in, so things are a little slower.”
“Wow. Once you decide to do it, you’re really ready to do it, huh?” Lucy loved that he was so excited about proposing to Taylor.
“I’m sure Taylor told you I’ve gone up to Nashville a couple of times to consult on a renovation for the property up there. They’ve officially asked me to move in August, and I’m going to ask Taylor to go with me.”
Lucy felt as if all the air was being sucked out of the room. That was why he was in such a hurry. She suddenly felt nauseated, and just like that the idea of her best friend getting engaged went from a joyous occasion to a bitter reminder that no one ever stayed. The person she leaned on most, who knew her best, was going to leave her behind too. Intellectually, she knew this wasn’t about her, and that friends moved away from each other all the time and maintained close bonds, but she couldn’t help feeling that, in the end, people always leave.
“You okay?” Jack took a step closer and held out a hand. “You look like you’re about to faint.”
She smoothed her hands down her skirt. “I’m fine. It’s just a lot to take in. The engagement. Moving.”
“I know you probably don’t love the idea of her moving, but we won’t be that far away. There’s a direct flight out of JAX to Nashville. Only takes an hour.” Jack smiled at her as if it was no big deal that instead of seeing her best friend every few days, she might only see her every few months, and that was probably best-case scenario. Taylor would get up there, her business would get busy, and their visits would get further and further apart. Long-distance relationships were never the same.
Lucy turned away so he wouldn’t see the tears shining in her eyes, even though they were a mix of happy tears and sad tears.
“Yeah, of course. Tomorrow’s good.” She moved over to the counter and started stacking the research she’d printed about the impact of cruise ships on historic ports for the forum that night.
“Great! Maybe when you close up? I talked to Linda over at Rothchild’s and she said she’d stay late if she needed to.” Linda owned the jewelry store downtown just across the square.
Lucy nodded, but didn’t speak. She just wanted him to leave so she could process the news in private.
“Okay.” His voice was hesitant. “I’ll meet you there at five?”
Keeping her back turned, she nodded. “Yep, sounds good.”
She’d help him, of course. She knew Taylor wanted to marry Jack and that she’d already considered it might mean moving around with him. Lucy certainly wasn’t going to try to stop her from finding her happy ending. She just wished everyone else’s happy endings didn’t have to come at her expense.