Page 29 of Familiar Stranger
Jenn claps twice. “All right, enough of that. We have work to do. Chop, chop. Isaac, can you bring in the cases of wine and put them in the back room? Marie and I will start loading the dispensary. Anna, can you polish wine glasses? We don’t want your opening night to be destroyed by dust bunnies in wine.”
“That would be a tragedy,” Isaac agrees, albeit sarcastically.
Jenn glares at him. “Hey, we still like you. Don’t screw up now.”
We spend the next hour hustling, ensuring everything is in its perfect place. The spines of the books are perfectly lined up. The Wi-Fi password is hooked up. The cash register is on. The bathrooms are clean. And the bright red ribbon is tied together in a bow in front of the store, ready for me to slice through it with giant scissors.
“Take a moment and breathe it in before everyone arrives,” Isaac says, handing me a glass of champagne. “I’ll wait outside.”
It is a cliché love story to myself. It’s a Valentine’s Day where I get to love the life I’m living. I take a lap around the store. I love it here.
The design and the concept.
The smell of the pages.
The labor of my love.
When I reach the front again, I step outside and clink glasses with Isaac. He is the bonus. The cherry on top. The second chance I never thought I’d get or even need.
He kisses me softly, then looks deep into my eyes. “What’s next, Anna?”
I sigh into his embrace. “I guess it’s time for you to meet my kids.”
Mild concern flashes in his eyes, but he otherwise puts on his game face, tilting my chin to kiss me again. “I didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to fall in love with you again.”
My cheeks warm, and I feel flushed and hot. “You’re making me blush.”
He swipes a gentle thumb over my cheekbone. “It’s okay. Red is my favorite color.”
