Chapter 61 - Sarah
SARAH
‘Welcome to our first official readers’ retreat!’ Jane said enthusiastically as the ten guests sat on the comfy sofas in the living room.
It was amazing to see the retreat up and running. It didn’t seem like that long ago that this building was a dilapidated shell and the concept was just a dream that Jess and Theo hoped to bring to life.
I looked around the reading room. Just like in the main library hall, bookish quotes like ‘Reality Is Overrated. I Prefer Books’ and ‘Spread Those Pages Like a Good Girl’ adorned the walls.
There were three large sofas (each with extra-wide chaise longues) which had already been tested by multiple bottoms (including mine) for comfiness and had an obscene amount of cushions.
Beanbags, bespoke reading beds and chairs were also dotted around the room, which was kitted out with everything readers needed to feel at home.
There was even a fireplace installed, to make it extra cosy when the cold winter nights rolled in.
Just like I’d suggested, the retreat also had an extra-large open-plan kitchen diner so that all of the guests could eat and chat together, and there was a quiet room with a table for readers who preferred to sit at a desk, which would also be perfect for running a writers’ retreat in the future.
Outside, the gardens had been beautifully landscaped. At the front there was a green vibe with grass and flowers, and the back garden had been filled with sand and decorated with seashells and sun loungers to create a beach vibe.
The beauty of this retreat was that it was only a stone’s throw away from Sunshine Bay’s real beach, so we had fold-up chairs that readers could borrow if they wanted to go across the road.
But we’d agreed that it was best to also have the option to get that ‘beach read’ feel at the retreat itself, just in case our guests were so engrossed in reading that even five minutes away from their fictional worlds would be too much to bear.
Upstairs, there were several bedrooms. Some were designed for single occupancy. We knew that one of the reasons readers would come to these retreats was to make friends because there was no one in their lives who enjoyed reading as much as they did, so they’d be travelling on their own.
We also had double rooms for friends who preferred to stay together and a group room for readers who wanted the fully immersive reading sleepover experience and didn’t mind sharing with three other bookworms. That option was cheaper and meant that there were prices to suit a range of budgets.
‘I’m so happy to be here!’ said one of the guests, who I think was called Ava.
‘Glad to hear it!’ I replied. Jane and I were in charge of running the retreat this weekend, which meant that we’d be staying here with the guests and be on hand to help with whatever they needed.
‘So this weekend, the objective is to read, obviously, but also to make friends with other romance bookworms and enjoy yourselves. We’ll have some ice-breaking and fun activities like a romance book quiz, but don’t worry, you’ll have plenty of time to put a decent dent in your Tbr list,’ Jane explained.
‘Unlimited reading snacks and tea are included in the deal. So whenever you fancy anything, just head to the kitchen, where you’ll find popcorn, nuts, smutty cookies, a selection of teas and of course coffee for those of you who pull an all-nighter and need something that’ll help you read just one more chapter! ’ I laughed.
‘That’s amazing!’ another guest said.
‘There’s a massive pile of blankets in the cupboard under the stairs too, so help yourself. And if you’d like to read in the front or back gardens or head to the beach, again feel free. This is your home for the entire weekend!’ Jane added.
‘So that’s the important parts. You’ll find all the other info in the guides we left in your rooms with your goody bags,’ I said.
‘Oooh!’ One of the guests grinned. She was right to be excited. The tote bags had branded Romance Library pyjamas and fluffy socks, a free book and discount vouchers to use in our bookshop as well as Love & Lattes.
‘Jane and I will be here with you for the whole weekend, so if there’s anything else you need, let us know. Oh, and if you run out of books, you can borrow some from the library or buy your own copies to annotate the hell out of from our bookstore,’ I added.
‘I bought five books an hour ago!’ a guest called Bola laughed.
‘Excellent!’ I said, glad that would help to boost the library’s bottom line.
‘Now that we’ve gone through all the housekeeping, let’s do a little icebreaker so you can get to know your fellow romance bookworms, then after that, you can all get stuck into reading!’
It was great to see the readers enthusiastically introducing themselves.
We had guests from all over the UK—including Edinburgh, Manchester, and Devon as well as London and the South East. But Jane and I were blown away when one of the guests said she’d come all the way from New York!
It was fantastic to see that the Romance Library brand had reached so many people.
Once the introductions were done and everyone was curled up reading their books, Jane and I headed up to the loft bedroom that had been created to give us privacy from the guests, but still ensure we were close enough for them to reach us if they needed something.
‘That seemed to go well!’ Jane said as she closed the door, then sat on her double bed, which was positioned opposite mine.
‘Yeah! And they all seem so lovely. I would’ve killed to have a place like this to visit near my old town.’
‘Me too! It’s brilliant to have somewhere to read with like-minded people. You and Ben did a great job putting this together.’
‘I didn’t really do anything. I just shared a few ideas. Ben and Theo did the rest.’
Hearing Ben’s name mentioned made butterflies erupt in my stomach.
I liked him so much.
Especially after he had confided in me about his past last Sunday.
When I heard how his cow of an ex jilted him, my heart broke.
I knew first-hand how difficult it was to be dumped.
But the thought of getting dressed up and inviting your friends and family to witness you declare your love for someone, only for them not to turn up (and not even bother to message you) must’ve been next-level devastation.
Turned out that only Ben’s brothers and a few friends knew about it. He’d even sworn Theo to secrecy, so not even Jess was aware of what he’d been through. So the fact that he’d trusted me enough to share something so painful meant the world.
It also explained a lot about his behaviour. I’d already worked out that his life and soul of the party playboy persona was a front. But I hadn’t realised it was a mask that he wore to disguise those deep wounds.
The Ben that I’d come to know was loyal and kind and wonderful. And I was sure that if he committed to a relationship, he’d be faithful too.
He was also strong, brave and determined. True to his word, he’d gone shopping with Theo that Sunday. Apparently, it made Theo’s day and the trip was a success. Their suits had to be adjusted, but they’d be ready in time for next month.
Yep. It was all systems go for the wedding. Ben also helped me to plan when he got back, just like he’d promised.
Between us, we’d sorted the catering. Jess and Theo wanted fish and chips at the reception, so Candace was taking care of that.
Maddie was making the wedding cake.
Stella had already created some bookish wedding invitations, which I’d emailed to Jess and Theo’s guest list yesterday.
Next week, Ben, Jane, Jackson and I would start organising other details like wedding favours, tables and chairs and although she said she wasn’t fussed, Jane and I said we’d take charge of organising Jess’s glam squad. So everything was under control and I was really looking forward to it.
I bet Ben would look gorgeous in his new suit.
Ben.
Cue more stomach fluttering.
‘Sarah?’ Jane called out my name.
‘Yeah?’ I snapped out of my thoughts.
‘You were miles away!’ Jane smiled. ‘Go anywhere nice?’
‘Er, just thinking about stuff,’ I said cryptically.
‘How’s things with you and Ben?’ She cocked her head suggestively.
‘Ben?’ My voice shot up. ‘How d’you mean?’
‘You two are together, right?’
‘Why would you…? What would make you…?’ I hated lying and I wasn’t very good at it either.
Jane’s question had caught me off guard because we’d been careful.
As hard as it was, we never kissed or showed any affection towards each other at the library.
We saved that for until we were behind closed doors in Ben’s flat, so I didn’t know how she’d guessed.
Only Jess and Theo knew the truth, and they wouldn’t tell anyone.
‘It’s not really like that.’
‘Yeah, right!’ Jane scoffed. ‘I’ve seen the way you two look at each other. And I know that look because that’s how I looked at Jackson. Still do now.’
‘It’s not like you and Jackson,’ I said. There was no point trying to hide it and I knew Jane wouldn’t tell anyone else. ‘It’s just sex. It’ll be over soon. Once the book bar is open and Jess and Theo are back from their honeymoon, he’ll probably leave, so it’ll be over.’
‘Is that what you want?’ Jane asked.
‘No, but we agreed it’d only last a couple more weeks,’ I sighed.
‘Things can change. Jackson and I were only supposed to be temporary too. He was just supposed to help me lose my virginity so that he could send me off into the world with more experience. But one night morphed into two, then three and now forever. The same could happen to you too.’
I hadn’t realised that Jane was a virgin. Or that Jackson had offered to ‘help’ her. Although it was interesting that their relationship had evolved into something permanent, it wasn’t the same for me and Ben.
‘It’s different. Ben’s a free spirit. He doesn’t like to stay in one place for too long.’
‘Maybe that’s because, until now, he hadn’t found the right person,’ Jane said. ‘Does he know how you feel?’
‘Well, he knows I like him,’ I said.
‘But does he know how much?’
‘I’ve told him that I think he’s amazing.’
‘I think you’re amazing, Sarah, but that doesn’t mean I’d commit to you forever. No offence.’
‘Point taken.’ I smiled.
‘Tell him. You’ll regret it if you don’t at least try.’
‘I hear you.’ I nodded.
I would. At some point. Not yet, though.
And there wasn’t really any need to right now.
We still had time. The bar was a few weeks away from completion and he’d stick around for the wedding too.
Anything could happen between then and now.
Maybe he’d grow sick of me. Maybe I’d be sick of him and discover that he had some terrible habit like chewing his toenails or something.
Doubtful.
I’d been spending a lot of time with Ben and I was yet to find something about him that I didn’t like. I mean, he even put the toilet seat down.
Aha! The other day he’d left a blob of toothpaste in the sink.
Or maybe that was me?
Either way, that was hardly a dealbreaker.
Dammit.
I hated that I couldn’t think of anything. There had to be something, right?
Maybe the most annoying thing about Ben was the fact that I struggled to find anything annoying about him.
‘And how’s the writing going?’ Jane said, sensing it was best to change the subject.
‘Really well! That book you and Jackson got me has been super helpful. I might not finish the outline in thirty days like they say, I might need a couple more weeks, but still, I’ve made so much progress. I’ve been writing at least a thousand words every day.’
‘That sounds brilliant! It won’t be long until our guests at the retreat are reading your book!’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that,’ I scoffed. ‘I’ve still got a long way to go.’
‘It’ll take time, but all your hard work will be worth it.’
‘Thanks.’ I smiled, genuinely grateful for her support.
My phone buzzed in my dress pocket and I pulled it out.
When I saw it was a message from Ben, my insides lit up like a fireworks display.
Ben
Hey, how’s the retreat going?
What time do you finish tomorrow? Let me know if you can come over. I’ve got a surprise for you.
If I was excited just seeing that he’d messaged, I was absolutely buzzing when I read that he had a surprise for me.
‘It’s messages from Ben.’ I grinned at Jane. ‘Do you mind if I reply now?’
I thought it best to ask because I didn’t want to be rude.
‘Course! Go for it! I need to text Jackson anyway. He went to see his mum this morning.’
‘How’s she doing?’ I asked. Jackson’s mum had Alzheimer’s and she was the only family he really had left, so it was hard on him.
‘She has good days and bad, but the bad days are getting more frequent.’
‘Shit. Sorry to hear that.’
‘Thanks.’
‘Well, Jackson’s Romance Library family are here to step in and help with whatever he needs, whenever he needs us. Please tell him that.’
‘I will. That means a lot. Now, go on! Don’t keep Ben waiting. Reply!’
‘Okay, thanks!’ I said before I started typing.
Me
It’s going brilliantly! The guests love what you and Theo created. They’re all downstairs reading now.
Oooohhhh! Sounds exciting! The guests will check out at one tomorrow. What’s the surprise?
He replied straight away.
If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise!
You’ll just have to come over after one tomorrow to find out!