I’ll be the beautiful bookstore owner drinking the caffeine.
Yes, you are.
Text me when you’re home.
By the time I finally call it a night, it’s well past midnight, and my eyes are so heavy I can barely keep them open. But even though my body is exhausted and craving sleep, my mind is wide awake. As I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, all I can think about is Andrew.
His easy laughter, his warm eyes, the way he looks at me like I’m the only girl in the world. It’s overwhelming and terrifying and absolutely wonderful all at once.
Shaking my head, I try to push his image out of my mind and focus on getting some sleep. But no matter how hard I try, his face keeps popping up in my thoughts. And with each passing second, the realization hits me harder and harder.
I’m in love with Andrew Harrington.
And despite all my fears and reservations, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
15
Andrew
“Sue, what address did you just dispatch?” I ask the clerk manning the emergency line not that far from my desk.
My heart is pounding heavily against my rib cage as I catch the end of the dispatch. It’s Jane’s bookstore, I’m nearly certain.
“The caller said that the Timeless Tales was vandalized.” Sue turns to me with a curious stare. “I’m sure they will call you in soon enough, but the patrol officer was going to make the initial report.”
Her words fade behind me as I’m already running for the entrance. Of course, there’s no way that I’m not going to check with my own eyes that Jane’s business is okay. Worse yet, what if she was around? I check my phone. The last message was sent an hour ago, and she hasn’t texted me she was home yet.
Panic sets in as my mind races through all the terrible scenarios that could occur. I fumble with my phone,frantically tapping on her number as I sprint towards my car. The incessant ringing fills my ear as I rev the engine and peel out of the parking lot.
“Hi, you’ve reached Jane, please leave a voice—”
I cut off her automated message and redial. My heart pounds in my chest as I weave through traffic, flipping on the patrol lights to clear a path. But each attempt goes to voicemail.
“Please pick up, Jane!”
Sweat beads on my forehead, and my grip tightens on the wheel, leaving imprints in my palms. Snowflakes dance in front of my windshield, obscuring my vision. Of course,nowit decides to snow.
The bright lights of Timeless Tales come into view, and a surge of worry courses through me. A squad car is already parked outside, but even from a distance, I can see the shattered glass of the front window. As I pull closer, the flashing lights cast an eerie glow on the snowy ground littered with broken shards of glass.
I park in front of the bookstore, take a second to breathe, and collect myself before getting out. My heart is racing as I approach the area, marked off by Officer Anders with yellow tape.
“Was anyone inside?” I ask, my voice trembling slightly.
“No one inside when we got here,” he replies, his expression grave.
I let out a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
“This is getting ridiculous, Andrew,” Officer Anders begins, frustration evident in his tone. “It’s like they’re taunting us, these midnight robbers or whatever you want to call them.” He turns to look at me, his eyes filled with concern. “By morning, there is going to be a lot more damage. We should call Regina.”
I shake my head. “She sold it a few weeks ago to Jane Brooks,” I inform him as I take in the damages.
I feel a surge of anger and helplessness. The once beautiful window display is now a jagged mess of shattered glass, threatening to ruin the books and decorations within and allowing snow to blow freely into the shop.
“Any sign of the culprits?” My voice is tight with frustration.
“No one was here when we arrived,” Anders replies with a shake of his head.
My mind races as I try to come up with a plan. “Cameras?”
