Just One Look (Castleton Hearts)

“I’m not tired,” I said through another yawn and Theo laughed.

“You can’t fool me,” she said, tilting my chin up so I could look into her eyes.

“Did you mean it?” I asked.

“Did I mean what?” she said, stroking my chin with her hand.

“The stuff about marriage? I know it’s way too early to think about that stuff,” I said.

Theo shook her head. “It doesn’t scare me anymore, Kendra. I don’t know when that happened, but when I think about marriage with you, it’s only thoughts of joy. It’s not dread or obligation or fear. It just seems right.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

“Are you sure? Are you sure this isn’t just the glow of a new relationship?” I’d much rather have us go slow and be sure than rush and make a mistake. I couldn’t be the cause of Theo breaking her heart a second time. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself for doing that to her.

“I’m positive, Kendra. I know it’s you,” she said, and kissed me.

I started to protest and ask how she knew, but she just kissed me again.

“I know because it’s you,” she said, her eyes blazing into mine. “It was always supposed to be you.”

I couldn’t help the tears that dripped down my cheeks. “I love you so much, Theo.”

“I love you, my princess.”

Epilogue

“Ready?” Theo asked me as we stood in my office at Mainely Books. I wore a dress and she looked dapper as hell in a black suit and tie.

“I’m ready,” I said, squeezing her hands. She opened the door for me, and I walked through to a shop crowded with people. Applause broke out and I wanted to hide my head against Theo’s shoulder, but she pushed me in front of her.

“Wow, thank you so much,” I said when the applause and cheers died down.

“I absolutely would not be here without the support of so many people. To Sarah, who held my hand through this entire process, to my friends who told me this wasn’t a ridiculous idea, to my parents for always being there for me, and to my love, who gave me the idea in the first place. Welcome, everyone, to Mainely Books!”

I dramatically flipped the sign to OPEN and then it was time to celebrate.

My mom cried, my dad pretended he didn’t cry, and Theo was by my side for the whole thing. It had taken eight long months, but we were finally here. Finally open. Theo’s shelves were everywhere, crammed with books that I’d ordered myself. My two employees, Joy and Erin, were there, eager and ready to make this place a success. My friends were all there, too, and had booked my space for their private monthly Non Book Club. Paige, with her hand on her rounding belly, and Esme carefully watching her, Em and Natalie, Charli and Alivia, Sasha and Jax and Jack Hill with his wife Betty, Hollis and Julia, Amanda, Piper and Mckenna and Preston, Alessi (who had finally revealed her pen name, Skylar Alyssa) and Hayden and Gram. These wonderful Castleton people who had been there for me every step of the way as I chased this wild dream.

“Congratulations, princess,” Theo said, pulling me aside for a moment so I could breathe.

“It wouldn’t have been possible without you,” I said, putting my arms around her.

“That’s true. I did build the shelves,” she said.

“You did much more than that and you know it,” I said.

“You’re right. I built the checkout counter and the tables too,” she said.

I shook my head at her.

“You’re impossible.”

“You love me,” she said.

“Just a little bit,” I agreed.