Page 15 of Unexpected Love

The stars are so bright here. On nights I’m unable to sleep—which is every night—I find myself sitting on the porch swing studying the stars. I’ve never paid much attention to them before, but there’s something kind of amazing in the vastness of space and how we can see stars that are millions of light-years away from us.

I glance to my right and see Quinn sitting in one of the windows at The Diner. She doesn’t even seem to notice the world around her, focused entirely on her laptop. I could stop in to say a quick hello, but I know she’ll invite me to join her, and Declan will be there soon. I'm pretty sure they haven't had much time to themselves since I arrived, and things have gotten a bit more serious since the Fall Harvest Festival last weekend.

Facing the street in front of me, I see the town market and a line of shops that look to be closing up for the night. It’s early, but in a small town these shops won’t stay open much pastdinner, especially not at this time of year once the chill in the air becomes more frigid.

Turning to my left, I see another row of shops. The building in the middle stands out from the rest. The wooden exterior creates a warm atmosphere, drawing me in, and, as I get closer, I realize it’s a bar. The hanging sign above the door readsMurphy’s,and I’m instantly reminded of a few conversations I’ve had with my brother about this place. Most people will tell you The Diner is the only restaurant in town—which isn’t necessarily wrong—but The Diner isn’t the only place that serves food. From what Declan has said, Murphy’s doesn’t have a large menu, but the items they do have are “fucking delicious.”

It seems as good a place as any to spend my evening, but as I walk past one of the shops, I’m distracted by aHelp Wantedsign in the window. I stop in my tracks and take in the shop, Falls Book Haven, and through the window it looks like a haven indeed.

The lights inside emit a warm glow, creating a cozy atmosphere. A woman stands behind the checkout counter, her elbow resting there and her hand propping her head up as she reads a book lying open in front of her. Around her, the shop is filled with bookshelves from floor to ceiling on almost every wall, not an inch of open shelf space. In front of the shelves, there are several chairs that look like they would be perfect for reading. The shop looks like it was designed to invite people to spend the day there, not just as a pit stop along the way.

I step inside and a bell rings, making the woman behind the counter glance up.

“Sorry, you’re probably getting ready to close, but I saw the sign in the window…” I trail off, not really knowing where I’m going with that train of thought. I know I need a job, I can’t sit at home—or Declan’s house—doing nothing, but working at a bookshop? It would be a massive change from what I’ve beendoing for the last five years, eight if I count my three years in law school.

“Oh.” The woman studies me for a minute before continuing. “It’s just part-time. Stocking shelves, keeping the place clean, that kind of thing.”

“Gotcha.”

We’re both quiet after that.

I don’t know what to say or do. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing for me to step into the store. I honestly didn’t even realize I was doing it until I heard the bell ring. Now that I’ve asked about the job, I think I’m interested.

“Are you new in town?” the woman asks, closing her book but staying where she is behind the counter. She has a kind look. Her face is free of makeup, and she has a natural beauty about her. Her hair, clipped back at the base of her neck with a few pieces falling in natural waves around her face gives off a laid-back vibe. Even dressed in an oversized sweater, I can tell she has a small frame, though the look in her eye makes me think she’s much stronger than she appears.

“Technically, I’m only visiting,” I tell her as I step closer to the counter.

“Technically?”

“I’m visiting my brother, but my situation back home has changed, and I think it might be time for something new.” I offer her a small shrug.

“Change can be good.” She glances away briefly before looking back at me, offering me her hand. “Abbey Selbey, the manager here at Falls Book Haven.”

I shake her hand and smile. “Ava Day.”

“Nice to meet you, Ava.” She studies me some more before letting my hand go. “That sign has been up for a few weeks now, and you’re the first person to ask about it. So I think it’s safe to say the position is yours if you want it, but it won’t start untilJanuary. The owner is making a few changes to the place and doesn’t want to bring on new staff until then.”

I nod my head, looking around the shop some more. I thought it looked like a haven from outside, but being inside the store brings it to life in a whole new way. The exposed brick wall behind the counter, the leather chairs, the dark shelves, the soft amber lights—all of it creating this cozy atmosphere that sucks me in.

I turn back to her. “Can I think about it?”

“Absolutely.”

“Thank you.” I give her a small smile before turning and walking out the door toward Murphy’s as I planned before getting distracted.

I feel a little lighter. I know I didn’t do anything, but just stepping into that store and asking about a job makes me realize I can do that. If I’m really done caring about what my parents want, then I can take that job or any other job I want. I’mactuallyfree of them.

Of course, that light feeling comes crashing down the second I hear my phone ring and see that my father calling me. Just seeing his face on my screen has my entire body going tight. I’m frozen in place, half in the bar and half out, just staring at my phone for a moment before I ignore it and shove it back in my pocket.

When I glance up, I pause for a different reason. This bar feels exactly like walking into an old Irish pub, and I’m instantly in love with it. The warm, dark tones of the place create a welcoming atmosphere, and even though I’ve never been here, it feels like home. There’s a warmth in the air that somehow makes it easier to breathe—something I’ve only ever experienced with my grandparents, Declan, and the Marks family.

“Can I help you, miss?” a man asks from behind the bar. “You’re letting in the chilly November air.”

I feel my body tighten more, preparing for the harsh comments I assume will follow, but before they can, I step further in, letting the door fall closed behind me. “Oh! Sorry. I didn’t—I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s all right.” He offers me a small smile, his voice kind. “You’re Declan’s sister, right?”

I look at him, confused. “How do you—never mind.” I step up to the bar, taking a seat in front of the man. “Small towns, right?”

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