“Sure.”
Eli walked over to the coffee table and picked up the sketchpad after moving the pencil to the side. She had sketched the bookstore and cafe. Through the window, a person stood holding a book. A person who looked a lot like him.
“Wow.”
She stepped up beside him and looked at the sketch. “Do you like it?”
He looked over at her. “Molly, this is incredible. You’re very talented.”
She shrugged. “It was just something I used to do after work to unwind before bed.”
“Have you ever considered making art and selling it?”
“Not really, no. I have been interested in making it digital, but it isn’t really something I’ve looked into. I’ve never really had the time.”
He knew something about that. His mind was constantly running with work. He forced himself to make time to read, which was how he would unwind. But it was also for work as well. He typically read the newer releases so they could promotethem in the store and have staff recommendations. He always noticed more people would buy books if he could tell them how he felt about them. So, while he enjoyed it, it also felt like a necessity.
“I can’t understand that.” He glanced at his watch and frowned. “I should probably get back.”
“Thank you for bringing me a coffee and pastry. It was very thoughtful.”
He stepped forward and tugged her into a hug, not caring if he got her mask on his clothes, and then kissed the top of her head. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“See you then.” She smiled up at him and then walked him to the door once he reluctantly stepped away.
He forced himself to leave her place and get back into his car. Part of him wanted to take the rest of the day off and hang out with her, but he hadn’t a clue if she also wanted that. He also didn’t want to put that on his siblings unexpectedly.
When he walked back into the bookstore, he stopped by the cafe. Katie looked at him with an expectant smile on her face.
“Thank you. You’re the best,” he said.
She smiled even wider. “You’re welcome.”
11
Molly sat at a table in the corner of the cafe while she took her break. Katie was at the counter making coffee. They had gotten into a good routine of relieving each other at regular intervals. Katie thanked her constantly for her help at the cafe, which was more than Molly could ask for. Being thanked for doing her job was a foreign concept to her, and one she had grown to love.
She never thought she would leave her parents’ company, but one day she sat in her apartment and realized how exhausted she was. Before she realized what she was doing, she was looking at job listings. The post for the bookstore popped up. She had never been to Storyville, but she applied for the job anyway not expecting anything to come from it.
Molly immediately forgot about applying, but received a phone call only a few days later from Katie to schedule an interview. Her first time visiting Storyville was when she drove in for the interview. It was at that moment, she fell in love with the small town.
She sat with her notebook and sketched out an idea for the bookstore website. They had a small one that displayedtheir hours and directions, but the presence wasn’t appealing. She hadn’t said anything to Eli or Katie about it, but thought she might sketch out an idea to present them with in hopes of drumming up more business on the book portion, with the possibility of an online store.
“Hey.”
Molly looked up to find Eli smiling down at her. She smiled and leaned back in her chair, flipping her sketchpad closed. “Hi.”
Eli sat down across from her and leaned close. “So, I was hoping we could get together tonight. Are you free?”
“Yes, I think that would work. Which restaurant should we show up to this time?” Just the thought of going out for the sake of showing off to Lauren had Molly feeling sour. Even if she knew Eli wanted to be with her, and it wasn’t just because of Lauren.
“I was actually thinking about making us dinner at my place, if that’s okay.”
A smile spread across her face. It wasn’t just for the sake of showing Lauren they were together. This would be a private moment just for them.
“That sounds great.”
His smile matched her own. “Great. I’m looking forward to it.”
