“Sure,” I reply, tucking the rag I was cleaning with in my back pocket. I follow him over to the corner, apprehension starting to trickle down the back of my neck and spine. My mind scans every possible scenario for what he’s about to say—concern for my grandparents or Mel at the forefront.
When William lifts his head, I find his eyes are rimmed red and glassy. “I’ve got to leave town for a while, Ro. My father had a stroke.” His voice catches on the last word.
My heart plummets. “Oh fuck.”
His chin dips, taking a minute to compose himself before continuing, “It happened just this morning. I got a call from my mother about an hour ago. They don’t know how serious it is yet. I’m flying to Arizona on a red-eye tonight.” Will runs a hand over his shaved head, letting it slide down to rest on the side of his neck. His eyes are wide and helpless as he stares blankly at me, and the motion gives him a childlike essence that absolutely breaks my heart.
“Of course,” I say, putting my hand on his shoulder. “Whatever you need, man. I’m here. I’ll take care of this place. Don’t worry about it.” I swallow hard at the ball of emotion creepingup my throat. “Just go be with your family for as long as you need to.”
William pulls me in for a half hug, slapping my back a few times before pulling away. “Thanks, man. I know I can count on you. Having you running this place will be one less thing I have to worry about.” He shoots me a tight smile.
“We’ll keep it standing for you.”
He hurries back to his office to gather up his belongings. I give him a solemn nod as he reemerges and heads out the front door.
“Well, shit,” I say to myself, a deep sigh escaping me. Relief at knowing Mel and my grandparents are safe wars inside of me with the deep sorrow I feel for Will and his family.
I mentally go over everything I need to get done now that I’m on my own, and all of the prep that still needs to be done for the festival, dragging my hand through my hair as I think. First things first—I need to call in some help or I’ll never be ready for the weekend.
After a quick text and a short while later, Evan and Kian arrive to help me finish out the night of prep. As we work in silence, my thoughts drift back to William.
I’ve known Will for what feels like my whole life. He opened the diner when I was just a small kid, barely out of diapers. He’s always been a pillar of our community—unbreakable and stern at times, but also ready to lend a helping or guiding hand anytime I asked for it. I’ve always admired his dedication to this place, how hard he worked to get it running on his own, and how successful it’s become over the years.
It pains me to see him so helpless.
If one day I get the honor of buying it from him, I’ll spend the rest of my time here striving to make him proud, to prove to him that the diner is in good hands. Whether I like it or not, now is a chance to show him that I can take care of his baby like it’s my own.
I just hope that his father recovers and it doesn’t come to that.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
MELLIE
The bell on the front door of The Reading Nook chimes lightly as last minute shoppers breeze in, Sydney’s greeting drifting through the store as I make my way past the rows of shelves toward the entrance of the shop.
“Mellie!” An excited voice rings out, and I almost jump out of my skin at hearing my name.
I turn to the source. A familiar feminine figure stands next to the racks of bookmarks by the front door like a relic from my past—a memory of my old LA life that feels lightyears away.
“Jack? Oh my gosh, what are you doing here?” I hurry over to give my old friend a hug, pulling back with,“Howare you here?”
“I’m in town with some colleagues!” Jack’s brown eyes gleam, reddish-brown cheeks shining. She tosses her long black hair over a shoulder, continuing, “We’re doing a tour of some B&B’s in the area. Research for a new show in the works. We’re staying in the next town over. Callahan?” She beams at me. “I stumbled upon your short story inThe Emerald Timesthe other day while we were looking up things to do in the area. Congrats on winning that contest, Mellie! That’s freaking amazing!”
Panic engulfs me.
Logically, I’m aware that people who know me will have read my story by now. But this is the first moment I’m faced with the reality of it, of knowing someone I admire hasopinionsabout my writing.
It’s terrifying as much as it’s exhilarating.
“Oh—thanks,” I mumble, suddenly unsure of how to receive a compliment. Clearing my throat, I straighten my spine and meet her excited gaze. “Thank you, Jack. That means a lot coming from you. I hope you liked it.”
“Uh, Ilovedit,” Jack replies. “The way you wove it all together at the end? And your interpretation of Fate as this meddling, little old lady?” She laughs. “It was so cute.”
I’m fully embarrassed at this point, so I just laugh along with her and try to divert the subject away from me. “So how did you find me here?”
“Didn’t take too long to figure out, actually. I remembered you were from this area so we drove down to check it out. The very nice lady at the grocery store pointed us here to the bookstore.” Jack grins. “You small-town folk are truly like nobody I’ve ever encountered before. Everyone is sonice!”
“Yeah, it’s not so bad here. I actually moved back at the end of last year.” With a fond glance around the bookshop, I give a sweeping gesture. “I run this place now.”
