40. Arden
40
ARDEN
“I’m looking for a book.”
I turn away from the shelf of travel guides to a thin man wearing a straw hat.
“Anything in particular?” I try my best to feign cheeriness on Saturday morning. I’m the happy, happy bookstore owner today and every goddamn day, even though there’s an organ in my chest moping over a guy I can’t have.
The man in the hat strokes his goatee. “Can’t remember the name. It’s about a fireman who has special powers . . .”
He talks more about the story, but I latch onto one word, thinking of a certain fireman and all his special powers. His charm, his heart, his funny bone. He has so many more powers though. The power to make me feel like I’m special. Like I’m wonderful.
“Do you know it?”
I blink, trying to root myself in the present. “I . . .”
I can’t place the book he’s talking about.
A voice cuts in. A chipper, confident one. “You mean Joe Hill’s The Fireman . Yes, we have it in stock,” Madeline says, tipping her head to that section and guiding the customer there. She easily locates the novel and rings him up.
When he’s gone, she turns to me. “Are you okay?”
“Just a little off today.”
“Go take a walk or something. You’re not yourself.”
“Maybe I just need to clear my head.”
“Take a break for a few. I have this covered.”
I turn to go and step outside when I see Mr. Businessman heading in my direction.
I freeze.
He’s the reason I went to Gabe in the first place. Is he coming back to try to ask me on a date again? What do I say?
I’m not sure I’ll handle it any better this time around, even though the smile on his face expands as he walks toward me.