Aria
I slide the key into the lock and twist as I push the doors of the bookstore open. The cool air from outside slips in as we step inside, the morning light casting soft beams across the floors. I walk over to the coffeepot and press the start button, because today's going to drain us before noon.
Today’s one of those rare days where both of my men decided to tag along. They didn’t have anything else planned since they are still waiting for their friends to get here, so they figured they’d come by and help me stock books and clean up around the store. Honestly, it’s a nice break. Not that I mind doing it on my own, but having them here makes everything feel a little easier, and helps ease anxiety about everything going on.
The front of the store is all enormous windows that frame both sides of the door. I love that it lets in the full view of Salem’s sleepy streets. My favorite thing about my location is watching the world pass outside. Sometimes, I catch people walking by, pausing just long enough topeer inside. I love seeing their eyes light up at the sight of bookshelves stacked high with stories. My favorite thing to see is when children pass by the store. They always seem to get excited and pull their parents in to find our kids' book section.
Beau’s already over by the shelves, his long arms stretched above his head as he puts up a shelf of new arrivals. I watch him for a moment, tall, lean muscle shifting beneath his inked up skin. His black hair falls around his face today, messy and untamed like always, while his piercing baby blue eyes focus on the task at hand. Despite the chilly Salem weather, he’s stripped off his hoodie and is now wearing a simple black tank top. The tattoos on his arms, chest, and back are on full display. Dark lines that tell stories of their own.
Across the store, Jackson’s stacking some of the larger books, tall and broad as always. At six foot five inches, he stands like a damn wall, and every movement is deliberate, smooth, like he’s constantly calculating his next step. His tattoos are everywhere. Flowing from his arms, chest, stomach, neck and even across the back of his hands. He's covered in a tapestry of ink that feels as much a part of him as the air he breathes. His long, straight brown hair falls past his shoulders, but today it’s pulled back into a bun, giving me an unobstructed view of his chiseled jawand sharp features. That face is like something carved from stone. He always leaves me a little breathless. His dark eyes flicker to me every so often. He's always watching, always in protector mode.
I smile as I glance between Beau and Jackson. It’s easy to forget how lucky I am sometimes. Having these two men by my side has changed my life for the better. They’re both different. Night and day in some ways, but together, they balance each other out. Beau’s the quiet one, the protector who’s always thinking, always analyzing, but with that soft, almost hidden tenderness that makes me feel safe. Jackson, on the other hand, is a force of nature. He has a wild energy about him. He has a fierce loyalty that’s impossible to ignore. He can make everything feel like it’s under control, even when it’s not.
A customer walks in, breaking my thought. I straighten up behind the counter and put on my best smile as they start scanning the shelves.
“Good morning,” I call out.
They nod, offering a polite smile as they grab a few books and make their way to the counter. I ring them up, my hands moving automatically as my mind wanders back to Beau and Jackson.
Beau’s organizing the shelves, and Jackson stands by the window now, watching the street outside. The customerfinishes up and hands me their card, pulling me back into the present. I swipe it, smiling at them as I pack their books into a bag. “Thanks for coming in today.” I say, handing them their purchase. They smile and head out, the door jingling softly as it closes.
As I’m sorting through the register, Jackson walks over to me, leaning against the counter. His dark eyes glint with a calculated look.
“I’ve been thinking,” he starts, and I can tell by the tone in his voice this is one of those I have an idea moments. “With everything going on right now, it might be a good idea for you to hire someone to work the days you can’t or don’t want to come in. Didn’t you say you had someone working with you before? It wouldn’t hurt to bring someone else in.”
I pause for a moment as I consider what he’s said. The idea lingers in my mind, but I can’t help but shake it off. “I don’t know, Jackson. I love running the store myself. It’s… it’s my thing. Plus, there’s the whole trust issue. It’s difficult just letting someone in here without me. The girl who had worked here before was one of my best friends since childhood, which was different.”
Jackson doesn’t say anything right away. He just stands there, watching me, those dark eyes unreadable for amoment. I can tell by the way he’s looking at me that he’s not going to let it go.
Before I can say anything else, Beau walks up beside Jackson, his eyes glancing over at me as he crosses his arms, leaning casually against the counter. “I think Jackson’s right. It’s a good idea. We have a lot on our plate right now with the threats and the guys coming up from Florida, and sometimes you just need a break. Plus, this place is a lot for just one person to handle every single day.” His voice is calm, but there is an undertone of sincerity that makes it hard to ignore.
I let out a long breath, not exactly thrilled with the idea. “Normally, I love your tag-team charm. Today? It's mildly annoying.” They do have a point. The shop has been busier than usual lately.
“I don’t know, I guess I could think about it." I whisper, my voice a little more uncertain this time.
Beau looks at Jackson, a silent agreement passing between them, and I can almost hear the unspoken “we’re not letting this go” in their shared glance. They both look at me and poke out their bottom lips, giving me the biggest puppy dog eyes I have ever seen.
After a moment of them both standing there, pouting, I sigh, my resolve finally crumbling. “Fine, fine,” I mutter, giving in. “Only if you make a sign and put it up for me.”
Jackson’s face lights up, and a glint of triumph flashes in his eyes. “Deal,” he says quickly almost before I can finish speaking.
Before I can even react, he’s already gone, sprinting toward the back room like a man on a mission. I shake my head, smiling despite myself, and glancing over at Beau, who’s standing there, watching me with that same knowing smile on his face. He’s always the calm one in the storm, waiting for just the right moment to swoop in.
“Got it!” He announces, holding the paper up triumphantly. "Where’s your tape?”
I can’t help but laugh at his determination. I reach under the counter and pull out the roll of tape. Jackson takes it, and without missing a beat, he strides over to the front window.
I watch as he presses the sign to the glass, smoothing out the edges with an extravagant amount of care, like this is some kind of mission he has won. He stands back, admiring his work, then turns to me with a grin.
“All set,” he says, like he’s just conquered the world. “We’ll have someone lined up in no time.”
I just shake my head, still a little stunned by how fast they managed to talk me into it. “You’re both impossible,” I mutter under my breath.
“Maybe,” Jackson says with a wink, “but you'll be thanking us when your day off comes with two warm bodies and one hell of a morning."
Beau leans in just enough that I can feel his presence, his hand brushing against mine as he gently takes hold of it. “Let’s give you a sneak peek at how your days off could look if you hired someone.” He says in a seductive tone.
Before I can even respond, he’s pulling me toward him. He's guiding me gently toward the back room. I stumble a little, clumsy as always, but he holds me tight, not letting me fall. His grip is steady and reassuring, like he knows exactly where this is heading. Jackson follows behind us, his tall frame moving silently but with a quiet intensity that makes me feel the shift in the air.
