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June listened to him, taking in what he said. It was certainly one way to look at it, and maybe there was something in there she could use for herself. It would be easier if she wasn’t on the verge of losing her family’s legacy.
“Hey, don’t look so sad. I don’t need more, but hell, I’ll take it,” he laughed.
She laughed with him, the waitress hearing the break in their conversation and taking their order.
“Is it hard, running the bookstore by yourself?” he asked when the waitress left.
June bit her lip, not sure how much to share. She didn’t want the whole town to know about her predicament, but Rhys would understand where she was coming from.
“Actually, the bookstore is on the brink of closing.” She didn’t look at him as she said it, and the waitress brought their appetizers of chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad in the silence.
Even after she left, Rhys didn’t say anything. He stared at his plate, and June started helping herself to the food.
When he did finally speak, it was with the understanding she knew he possessed. “We almost lost our business, in the recession. No one was buying houses, let alone building them. We were able to pivot, but I remember the low, heated conversations my parents had, late at night after we’d gone to bed.”
June picked at her food, watching, waiting for more.
He sighed. “It’s okay if you lose the store, June. It gave you a home, a purpose. Sometimes one thing needs to break to push you where you’re meant to go. But it’s shitty, and if there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate.” The toe of his shoe played with hers, and he smiled. “I think you should be really proud of all you’ve accomplished. And wow, writing a book? I can’t imagine how hard that is. I’d rather build a house.” He laughed and started filling his own plate.
They spent the rest of the evening chowing down on Thai food, skipping the awkward first date questions and jumping into their families and what it was like running a business in Oak Valley. Rhys did most of the talking, but June didn’t mind. It was a nice break from her own worries, and she was learning he was a rather different person than the one that strutted about town. He was cocky, sure, but not in an egotistical or judgmental way. Like he was comfortable just being, with few expectations of those around him. His smile was easy, his laugh warm, and after a couple Singha beers, June felt fuzzy in his presence. At the very least, she could see them being good friends.
When he dropped her off on the corner of South and Main, June agreed to a second date. Walking back to the store, his headlights still illuminating her walk, she barely registered there hadn’t been the magnetic pull she was looking for.
23
Dragan sat on the front porch, waiting for June to arrive. The group hanging around outside the Miller’s was there, opening fresh beers while he waited.
He had offered to pick June up for the family dinner, but she had declined, saying she wanted the walk and fresh air. Anytime she was out walking alone, even in broad daylight, Dragan couldn’t help but worry if she was okay.
But there she was, coming down the street with a little hop in her step. He stood and gave her a wave, lighting up at the smile she gave him and her walk quickening. He stepped down to the sidewalk, and when she reached him she threw her arms around her neck.
He inhaled deeply, clutching her to him.
Yes. This was everything, and he’d waited so long for it.
They held each other until Alice’s voice came from behind him.
“Hey, lovebirds. Mom says dinner’s almost ready.”
Dragan heard her feet retreat, and he planted a soft kiss on the top of June’s head. When he pulled back, she was beaming at him.
“I wish I’d known, I would’ve come earlier to help.”
“Please, you know my mom. She’d never let you help.” He gripped her hand in his, staring into her emerald eyes. The fading light was catching on her blond hair, making it look red. Her pink coat matched her rosy cheeks. “I missed you.”
Her cheeks grew rosier, but she didn’t break his gaze. “I missed you.”
Leading her up the stairs, Dragan tried to calm his nerves. He’d never had anyone over to his house before. Not even June.
Especially not June.
He’d spent hours cleaning, but that didn’t help with the emptiness of his family home. It didn’t help with the missing newel from the stairs, or the lost paintings and lack of books. There were no musical instruments, even though Cas was an incredibly talented self-taught guitarist. There were no art supplies, despite Alice being an equally amazing painter.
As they entered, the old floors creaked beneath their feet, making Dragan cringe with every groan. But when he looked at June, she was looking around in amazement.
“Wow, the ceilings are so high! I love these old floors.” She dropped his hand, walking into the living room on the right and bending to peer at the one bookshelf. It was filled with old school books and trade paperbacks. Worthless pieces with bent pages and torn covers. She made a couple comments on the books she’d read, before moving slowly toward the hallway where there were a few closed doors. She turned to him, her eyes wide with curiosity and smile still on her face.
“What’s in here?”
