Page 10 of By the Book

Outside, townspeople mill about, bundled up with their heads down to fight the breeze. And then there she is. I straighten as Ivy pulls the door of the café open.

She spots me across the room and a small smile turns up the corner of her mouth. It’s delicate, requiring close attention to catch it at all. And I do, I always make sure I do when it comes to Ivy.

Sliding her hands into her coat pockets, she slows to a stop before me. “Hi,” she greets me softly.

“How are you this morning?”

She drops her gaze to the floor, and I desperately want to lift her face back up to me. I want that smile of hers back. She opens her mouth to answer as Vanessa notices her arrival.

“Ivy! Hey, I just brewed a new cinnamon brown sugar coffee. Interested?”

“I am,” she answers, looking eagerly over to our mutual friend.

“Great, Tripp, want to try it?”

“Sure, thanks Nessa.”

Turning back to Ivy, I ask, “How’s the store?”

“It’s good! I love this time of year because of all the autumn adjacent books that are released. Paranormal romance, romantasy, dark academia, cozy mysteries… I’m rambling, sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, it’s interesting. But I am going to need you to explain what romantasy is.”

Her smile returns as she shifts and leans against the counter beside me. I find myself stepping closer as she continues.

“It combines romance and fantasy. So, there is magic, myth, world building, and high stakes. All the pieces of fantasy, but romance is still the central story.”

“And fantasy is different from paranormal?”

“It is,” she confirms.

“What about classic horror? Any of those lying around the store for fall?”

“Plenty, I love a good thriller. And not just the fictional kind. You might like the true crime I carry,” She tilts her head to study my reaction, her beautiful eyes shining at me.

“I think I would like that. What’s your favorite genre?” I ask.

Ivy purses her lips, absently playing with a strand of her hair. I watch her deep in thought, and I’m mesmerized.

“I guess really it’s romance in general. Contemporary, classic, paranormal, romantasy. It’d take any of them, if the love story is the main story.”

An involuntary smile stretches across my face. It’s hard not to be enamored by the way she lights up. She loves love, and I love to listen to her talk about it.

“Tripp.” Millie gives me a shove. “Your coffees are there.” She motions to two paper cups beside us. I didn’t even realize Vanessa had returned. And left? I look up to find she’s moved on to help another patron.

“Right.” I pick them up and pass one to Ivy.

She drops her eyes again, but the hint of a smile remains. It feels like a personal victory, being the reason for that look.

“Speaking of, I should go open the store,” she murmurs. “Bye Millie.” Then turning to me, she glances up for a moment, “Bye, Tripp.”

I reach out and untangle one of her curls from the button of her coat. “It was nice running into you. And hey, has everything been okay since the roast? Reid hasn’t…?” I don’t even want to finish the thought; I’ve been worried that my reaction that night has only made things worse for her.

“Oh, no, it has been completely quiet. I’m good.” She gives me a reassuring smile that acts as a soothing balm to the tension in my chest.

“You’ll let me know if not?”

“I will. Thank you for looking out for me,again.”

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