Page 127 of Spotlight
“Uhh…” JT follows my line of sight and then looks back to me. “No. Flynn mentioned your bookstore was having a big event tonight.”
“He did?”
“Oh yeah. He made sure the entire team knew. He’s so proud of you.”
My stomach flips and the ache in my chest deepens. “The feeling is mutual.”
“We just wanted to stop by and say congrats. I used to be a big reader. I’m hoping when our little guy starts sleeping through the night again, I might be able to pick it up again.” Whitney’s smile widens. “Now I know where to come.”
“Thank you. I love that and yes, come back any time. I have loads of recommendations for you.”
She nods eagerly. “I will take you up on that.”
JT lifts their joined hands and places a kiss on her knuckles. The gesture is small but sweet and makes me miss Flynn even more. How many little moments like that do we have left?
Ruby calls for me from behind the counter. I catch her eye and hold up my finger to indicate I’ll be there in a minute.
“I better go,” I say. “Thank you for coming. And thank you for the way you’ve welcomed Flynn to the team. He speaks highly of you.”
“He’s a hell of a guy, but I think you already know that.”
I nod, throat tight.
JT’s happy expression dims for only a second and then his smile hitches higher. “Congrats on this. Flynn said it would be packed.”
He steps back toward the front door. Whitney offers me one last smile as she says, “It was nice to meet you. I’ll be back.”
I lift a hand in a wave as they exit.
I have only a moment to sit with the knowledge that Flynn told his teammates about the event and that he expected it to be a success before I jump back into the action.
Our author stays to sign and chat with every single person in line. But even after he’s gone, people linger. Small groups form all around the store. The introverts reading in the corner, the extroverts laughing as they play games, and the hardcore fans are gathered around in a huddle, discussing books in detail.
I almost don’t want to make them leave, but the store needs to close and I’m running out of energy to keep my emotions at bay.
Ruby stifles a yawn.
“Go home,” I tell her. “I’ve got it from here.”
“No. It’s fine.” She yawns again.
“Go,” I say more adamantly. “You need sleep so you can write the last chapter tomorrow.”
She gives me a look but doesn’t argue this time. While she grabs her backpack from the office, Sabrina, London, and I continue to clean up.
Ruby reemerges and hugs me. “This was incredible. I’m so proud of you. Best bookstore in the city, at least according to me.”
“We’ll see,” I say.
With a wave to the other girls, Ruby heads out.
“Well…” London places both hands on her hips. “Is it time to kick them out?”
“Yeah. Unfortunately.” I really hope they’ll come back. I love seeing the store this full.
“Hi, everyone,” Sabrina says, raising her voice in the same way I’ve heard her do in her dance classes. “Thank you for coming tonight. We hope you had a great time. The store is now closed, so please gather your things and head out in an orderly fashion.”
“An orderly fashion?” London asks.
