The Story Of Us - Teri Wilson Page 0,1

before he’d finally stopped coming by in search of the kind of books that would have given her nightmares for days?

“Hi, Alex, what’s up?” She cast him a curious glance as he picked up a hardcover copy of The House of Mirth—a special commemorative edition with the title spelled out in elegant gold script.

“Oh hey, Jamie. I was trying to figure out a good book to give Taylor for Valentine’s Day.” He studied the book’s cover, brow furrowing. “She likes romantic comedies. I figure mirth is funny, right?”

Jamie paused. Where to start?

“Yes, it is. Um, and Edith Wharton is one of the greatest authors of all time. First woman to win a Pulitzer for literature,” she said.

But she couldn’t let the poor guy walk out of the shop thinking he’d just bought his girlfriend the literary equivalent of When Harry Met Sally. She held up a finger. “But in this case, ‘mirth’ is ironic.”

Alex’s face fell. “Oh.”

Jamie picked up a copy of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing from the same display table—also hardcover, embellished with hearts and cupids below the title. She held it up as if it were a sparkly new toy. “Also romantic, but much funnier and, spoiler alert, a happy ending.”

Relief washed over Alex’s face.

Until Jamie continued, because she just couldn’t seem to stop herself when it came to books. “Although, if you want her crying on your shoulder about the importance of following your heart when it comes to true love, then House of Mirth it is.”

Alex held one book in each hand, his attention flitting back and forth between them, weighing the benefits of a Valentine gift that served up laugher versus feels.

Better him than me.

“Happy deciding!” Jamie grinned.

Being single had its benefits, even during this month of hearts and flowers. The last thing Jamie needed was a Valentine. What she needed was a cure for her recent bout of writer’s block. And maybe a chocolate raspberry mocha…with whip.

But a significant other? Nope. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Never again.

Alex, however, proved himself completely devoted, because mere seconds after their exchange, he turned up at the register with both books. Maybe he was simply hedging his bets. Either way, Jamie thought it was sweet—doubly so.

He set the books on the counter and slid them toward her. “You are a lifesaver.”

“Well, I hope she likes them.” She placed his purchase in a crisp white bag decorated with the True Love logo and smiled.

“Thank you, Jamie.” Alex heaved a sigh of relief.

Definitely hedging his bets.

“Of course,” she said. “Bye.”

“Bye.” He gave her a wave as he headed toward the shop’s door, passing Lucy Baxter, Jamie’s sole employee, on his way out.

“Hey, Luce.” Jamie felt her smile widen.

Lucy managed True Love’s small café and helped out with other odds and ends as needed, but she was more than just an employee. In the three years they’d been working together, she’d become Jamie’s closest friend and confidante—aside from Jamie’s aunt, Anita Vaughn, who owned the business district’s only flower shop.

Lucy tossed a stack of mail onto the sales counter and jammed a hand on her slender hip. “Did you know Lennox Music closed?”

“What?” Jamie blinked. “When?”

“I don’t know. I just saw the place is empty, and there’s a ‘closed for business’ sign on the front door.” Lucy shook her head, sending her loose cinnamon brown curls swinging.

“That is the third business on this block since the beginning of the year.” Jamie bit her lip and tried her best to ignore the fact that there wasn’t a single customer in the store at the moment. Her charming little bookshop suddenly seemed cavernous.

And excruciatingly empty.

Lucy arched a brow. “Four, if you count Cassidy’s Candles in December.”

“What is going on?” Business had been a little slow lately, but Jamie had managed to convince herself there was nothing to worry about. Because there wasn’t. People loved books, and True Love was practically a Waterford institution.

But four businesses closing up shop in less than three months’ time wasn’t a good sign. Not at all.

Jamie felt sick all of a sudden. Even the raspberry mocha she’d been dreaming about held little appeal.

She took a deep breath as she sifted through the mail Lucy had brought in. Everything would be fine. Of course it would. Since True Love was a romance-focused bookstore, February was always their busiest month. Any day now, business would start booming.

And surely other shops would move in to fill the empty storefronts. The business district was Waterford’s crown jewel—a little