That is all thanks to the woman standing next to me with two sci-fi books clutched in her palm.
I’m holding a battered copy of Pride and Prejudice.
It’s for her.
She’s about to realize that if she hasn’t connected the dots yet.
“I love the one idea so much,” Misty says, oblivious to the strained silence between Bella and I. “The one about framing pictures of our customers over the years. I took so many photos with that old camera of mine. I have a box full of them.”
Isabella’s eyes widen. The lines between the dots are getting clearer.
“And the Saturday morning writing workshops for kids.” Misty’s smile is brighter than I’ve seen it since I met her. “Think about it. A couple of months from now on a Saturday morning just like this, there will be young writers gathered at a table. One might be writing the next great novel of our time.”
The books in Bella’s hands fall to the floor.
I reach for them, glancing over to see her rubbing the newly polished nail of her thumb. She went for light blue this time around. It matches the jeans and blue silk blouse she’s wearing. Dressed like this with black leather boots on her feet and her hair in a messy bun on top of her head, she looks perfect.
I know her mind is racing. I know she’s got to be wondering what the fuck is going on. I also suspect she’s pissed as hell at me right about now.
“Barrett.” My name escapes her in a trembling voice. “Can we talk in private?”
“Let me give you two some space.” Misty picks up a stack of books from the edge of the counter. “I’ll take these to the stockroom for when Velvet Bay Books opens. I could say that name all day. Whoever thought of it is a genius. It pays homage to Bay Ridge where we opened our first store before we moved here and our grumpy old cat.”
Just as the words leave her lips, the gray-haired feline jumps up on the counter, parading across the worn wood.
“There’s my girl.” Misty scoops Velvet up in one hand. “Let’s give these two some privacy. I sense they have something important to talk about.”
That we do.
As soon as Misty disappears out of view, Isabella is in my arms with her hands in my hair. Her mouth finds mine in a kiss so tender that I feel my knees weaken.
I drop the books so I can tug her closer to steady myself and to feel more of her pressed against me. When I deepen the kiss, she lets out a moan of satisfaction.
Pulling away just far enough to speak, she presses her lips to the corner of my mouth. “I know what you did. Thank you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
***
We exit the store ten minutes later, after Bella promised Misty that she’d have a cup of tea with her soon.
I planned on surprising Bella late next week after construction had started on the interior of the store. I have the new exterior sign on a rush order. I wanted it in place before I brought her down here so she could see it and realize that this is her vision. All of this is Bella’s vision.
“We should talk,” she says, glancing down the sidewalk. “Are you hungry?”
I haven’t eaten yet today. I got up early. After showering and dressing, I went down to the office. I put in a few hours there before I decided to make the trip to Brooklyn to check in on Misty.
Shutting down Rusten’s Reads for a few weeks is an essential part of the rebranding process, but it’s tough on her and Rusten. Before Bella and I left the store, I put Misty to task looking through the boxes of old pictures to find a dozen to frame. They’ll be a reminder of what once was.
“I know a place.” I hold tight to the copy of Pride and Prejudice in my hand. “You game to try something different?”
“Different for you or for me?” Her gaze drops to the book.
“Shit. I didn’t think of that. You’ve probably already been to the place I want to take you.”
Grabbing hold of the strap of the purse slung over her shoulder, she shrugs. “Try me.”
“Crispy Biscuit.”
“Jo is the best.” She starts down the sidewalk. “I’ll get her to make something from her secret menu.”