"Nice to meet you, Sophie. I'm Callum Rhodes," I take her hand in mine—it's so soft and a little cold—and without thought, I wrap my other around it to warm it up. Her eyes meet mine and hold, and that's when I notice their color. A gorgeous combination of blue and green, big and framed by dark lashes. They widen a bit at my name, and her eyebrows raise.
"Rhodes?As in... ?" She trails off, pointing to the wooden sign on the wall above the register—also a William Rhodes project.
"Rivers & Rhodes.I own this store with my mom, Maeve," I nod to the woman behind me, who isdiscreetly(blatantly staring) watching our interaction. Sophie follows my nod and gives a small wave, and I know for a fact my mom is smiling and waving back.
Her eyes trail all over the store again—the warm woods and labeled bookshelves, plants galore, gauzy curtains, vintage lamps, and Persian-style rugs. I can admit, my mom really knows how to make a place beautiful and cozy. "I'm honestly surprised I've never been here before. Wow... it's really beautiful, Callum."
Her saying my name does funny things to my chest, and I have to clear my throat before I answer.
"Thank you," I say sincerely, puffing up a little in pride. She meets my eyes again and smiles before glancing down at our still-joined hands—her soft one in both of mine. Reluctantly, I release it, and she fidgets a bit, shifting the bag higher on her shoulder.
"So... happy endings?"
"Happy endings," she confirms with sparkling eyes, and follows me as I wander over to ourHappy Ever Aftersection, made specifically for the club. There's a decent amount of booksto choose from, and I see her eyes light up at the bright colored covers.
"What's your flavor?"
She hums, eyes trailing over the titles. "Not too much angst. Or—" Her mouth twists, considering. "Or maybe angst, but with a good payoff."
"Got it," I grab a paperback and a hardcover off the shelves, holding up the paperback.
"This one's a rugged farmer meets a soft librarian. Grumpy/sunshine with a found family and a little mystery." She smiles at the cover—dark-haired man glaring down at the sweet, bespectacled redhead smiling up at him.
I hold up the hardcover. "This one's very Hallmark—a free-spirited cat-lady baker meets a rigid corporate suit. There's a cat on every chapter header. Legally, I'm required to recommend it."
I pull a face and nod toward Plot, who is sitting at the register, grooming his paws in athreateningway. Sophie laughs and takes both from my outstretched hands.
"Sold," she smiles, cradling the small stack of books in her hands as if they're precious. I like that.Maybe she’d like the book club."Thank you."
I guide her to the register, where Plot is still sitting like a little sentinel, ringing up the books. The cat perks up when she walks over and meows at her. She smiles and reaches out her hand, which he promptly shoves his head into.
"You should feel special," I shake my head, like I’m witnessing magic. "Plot hates everyone except my mom. He only tolerates me, and I'm the one who saved him."
"I love his name," she murmurs, scratching under his little chin as he purrs as loud as a lawnmower.
"All credit goes to my mom."
She pulls her wallet out, and I feel my heart racing a bit.
Come on, Callum, do it before you get distracted by howpretty she is again.
"Uh, Sophie?" She looks up at me, and I have to avert my eyes like I'm sixteen again and not an almost thirty-two-year-old business owner. Going for unbothered and casual, I scan the books and shrug.
"We have a little after-hours book club. We meet on Mondays at eight, once the shop closes. Only one rule: guaranteed happy ending. No one's allowed to get their heart broken on a Monday."
"Really?" Her eyes brighten for a second, before they shutter a bit, like a cloud suddenly blocking the sun.
Damn, did I come on too strong?
"No pressure or anything, but it's... fun, and nice to hang out and talk about the books. Not super crowded, either, it's mostly just the seven of us. You would be more than welcome to join, if you'd like."
"I, uh..." she clears her throat and hands me a twenty. "I'm about to be really... busy for the foreseeable future."
Disappointment blooms in my chest, and I try to stamp it down, not having any right.
"But I will definitely consider the book club," she adds, her voice carrying a slight lilt, a little thread of hope.
"Again, no pressure. Just wanted to extend the invite to a fellow happy ending lover," I hand her the change, and she snorts, covering her mouth to smother her laughter. The words register, but again the embarrassment doesn't linger. "I really need to watch my words."
