Beside it is another shot: the sleek, moody front of Elijah’s tattoo studio. The reflection of the setting sun hits the glass just right, casting the inside in warm gold and deep shadow. It’s beautiful. Strong. Just like the man himself.
I catch movement in the corner of my eye and turn slightly.
There he is.
Elijah slips inside unnoticed by most, lingering near the back where the shadows stretch a little longer. He doesn’t approach, doesn’t interrupt, he just watches. His arms are crossed, the black sleeves of his Henley pushed up to his elbows again, revealing the ink that always makes my fingers twitch with curiosity. His gaze is steady, warm, fixed entirely on me.
My pulse stumbles.
I force myself to keep moving, to greet the guests, to talk about the exhibit, about Nicoletta’s work, about what this bookstore hopes to be for the community. I smile, I laugh, I pour coffee. But I feel Elijah’s presence like a second skin, like gravity pulling quietly at my center.
And when our eyes meet across the room, just for a second, just long enough and I know he sees it all.
Every wall I’m still trying to hold up.
Every crack is already forming. And he doesn’t look away.
The presentation was a success, people loved the photographs, and more than one person made a purchase. At the end of the day, I love that our neighborhood is opening up to new artists. Nicoletta was beyond delighted, so much so that she's already thinking about doing it again. I was just happy to support her.
"I'm so happy your art was so well received, and that you even sold some pieces," I say as we sit together on one of the cozy sofas, coffee cups in hand. Mia’s still at the door, saying goodbye to the last customers.
"Yes! Thank you so much for the opportunity," Nicoletta replies, her smile bright.
"By the way, what would the price be for the photograph of the store?" I ask, glancing toward the now-empty display wall. "If it’s not too much, I’d love to keep it here."
Her expression shifts. "Ahh, Ava! I’m so sorry, but I sold it to an anonymous buyer. Oh my goodness, I should’ve asked you first. I should’ve known you’d want it."
"Hey, it’s okay." I give her a reassuring smile. "I’m just glad you sold it. Honestly. I wanted to mention it earlier, but with everything going on, it slipped my mind. I’m just happy someone else saw the beauty in your work, enough to take a piece of this shop home with them."
"For what they paid, theybetterenjoy it," she laughs.
"Was it a lot?" Mia pipes up, her curiosity beating out her filter. I’m curious too, but she’s always the bold one.
"Mia!" I scold, playful but firm. "You can’t ask that!"
They both burst out laughing, but Nicoletta answers anyway, her eyes gleaming.
"Let’s just say it was four digits, and the buyer insisted on remaining completely anonymous."
Mia and I gape, jaws nearly hitting the floor.
"So let’s toast to this successful dayandthat extraordinary sale!" Mia says, raising her coffee cup like a champagne flute.
After they leave, I stay behind to tidy up. They invited me out to dinner, and I know I should’ve joined them. A night out, some laughter, a distraction, yes, I could’ve used that. But my body is tired, and my mind is caught somewhere between last night’s moment with Elijah and the lingering weight of that nightmare.
I’m in the back office when I hear a knock at the door. When I step out to the front of the store, I see him. Elijah.
He’s still wearing the same clothes, but something in his eyes is different, guarded, searching. I can’t quite read him.
Elijah stands just inside the door, the last rays of dusk casting a soft glow behind him. The store is quiet now, emptied of the earlier crowd, the echo of laughter and conversation slowly fading into silence.
I hadn’t expected him to come back tonight.
My heart stutters at the sight of him, still in the same clothes, sleeves pushed up, a hint of ink at his forearms, that quiet intensity in his eyes that always seems to find me no matter where I am.
“You came back,” I say, voice low.
He steps further into the store, slow and deliberate. “Didn’t get to talk to you earlier.”
