Page 35 of Before We Were

"Is that Miss Lenora Wells?" Alfie's warm voice cuts through my thoughts, drawing an instant smile.

"Alfie!" The hug feels like sanctuary, but as I step back, change writes itself across his features. Silver threads his once-dark hair, and those kind eyes behind round spectacles seem dimmer, though they still sparkle with gentle humor. The slight tremor in his hands stirs worry in my chest—perhaps why he’s hired help.

"How's my favorite customer?" Alfie asks, voice soft with memory. His eyes drift to Jake. "And her faithful reading companion, of course."

"You say that to all your customers," I tease, trying to ignore the way my chest tightens at the familiar exchange.

"Only the ones I actually like," he winks, then softens. "I heard about your father, Nora. I'm terribly sorry. He was a fine man."

The sympathy in his eyes is genuine but stirs carefully managed grief.

Nick clears his throat gently, a welcome interruption. "Uncle Alfie has been telling me stories about you two practically living here every summer," he says, gesturing between Jake and me. "Something about a secret reading club in the back corner?"

A surprised laugh escapes me. "The Midnight Readers Society," I confirm, catching Jake's eye. "Though it was hardly midnight. More like closing time."

"And hardly secret," Alfie adds with a knowing smile. "Not with all the candy wrappers you left behind."

"That was entirely Jake's fault," I protest, the memory warming me from the inside out.

Alfie's eyes twinkle. "I see you've met my nephew, Nick. He'll be with us through the summer. Hopefully longer." His tone carries a weight of expectation.

Nick gives a noncommittal shrug, but there's a hint of fondness in his expression. "We'll see, Uncle. Still got some things to figure out."

Alfie turns to Jake, who's been quietly observing our exchange with that half-smile of his. "And you, young man, better be taking good care of Nora here."

"I try, sir," Jake responds, his tone light but his eyes serious. "But she can be a handful."

The familiar warmth of the bookstore, the presence of people who care, it wraps around me like well-worn pages. Here, the weight lifts, if only briefly. Nick's presence adds something new to the familiar scene, like a fresh chapter in a beloved book.

"What's caught your eye lately?" Alfie asks, genuinely curious as always. He settles into his chair, a sign that we're in for one of his famous book talks.

"The Fault in Our Stars," I respond, continuing without prompting. “I like the books without fairy-tale endings.” I take a look around the store, admiring my surroundings. “They’re nice reminders of how temporary all this really is."

His smile illuminates the room. "That's quite a mature insight. Come, let me show you some limited editions we just got in."

I follow Alfie down one of the aisles and that vintage book scent wraps around me, making me feel more at home than anywhere else.

"It's really good to see you, Alfie," I manage, voice catching.

"Well, you were missed last summer," he replies, patting my shoulder. His eyes hold a mix of sadness and understanding. "I've had my share of losses too. Lost my Gracie years back. But she's still here. In every story, every book I touch."

"Do you believe in soulmates, Alfie?" The question slips out without a second thought.

He smiles wistfully. "I do. But soulmates aren't just lovers. They're friends, family. The connections that shape us, help us heal. Gracie reminded me of that often."

We spend the morning trading stories with Nick, soaking in Alfie's casual wisdom.

"Remember when Alfie claimed he hung out with Stephen King?" Jake grins.

Nick's eyes widen. "You never told me that, Uncle.”

Alfie laughs. "Well, 'met' might be stretching it. Saw him at a signing. Makes for a better story though, doesn't it?"

As we browse the aisles later, Jake pulls out a battered edition ofThe Secret Garden.

"Remember that summer we tried making our own secret garden with Ollie and Nate?" he asks, nostalgia coloring his voice.

I laugh. "Yeah, until Mrs. Lowell's dog literally shat all over it."

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