“Connor.”
“I’m Gabe. You’re always welcome here, Connor. Even if you just want to hang out. This is a safe space, okay?”
I crack my eyes open to see Connor nod, wide eyes looking a little glassy. “Okay.”
I stand still, watching as the exchange unfolds with a tug in my chest. He leads the kid to a display, gesturing to each book, explaining what makes each one special and why he loves them.
When Connor leaves with two books tucked under his arm, he promises to come back.
I turn to Gabe. “That was amazing. How you were with him.”
Gabe blinks at me like he doesn’t understand why I’m saying it. “I just… did my job.”
I shake my head. “You did more than that. You made him feel like he could open up and be honest with you. You made him feel safe. Not everyone can make people feel that way.”
His cheeks flush, and he looks down to hide his smile, fiddling with the hem of his T-shirt. I tuck that reaction away for later.Gabe responds to praise like sunlight through fog—tentative, but quietly blooming.
“It’s easier for me. In here.” He peers up at me through his dark, full lashes. “To talk to people.”
I knew that, but the fact that he says it aloud means something. I nod and give him a small smile that I hope shows I understand.
He doesn’t say anything else, and we go back to the shelf. It protests our work, groaning and splintering with every board we pull loose.
“So, you still read? I mean, I know you likeThe Wayfarer’s Star, but what else do you read?” he asks suddenly, glancing at me.
“Yeah. Mostly still fantasy. Big sprawling worlds, magic, slow burns. What about you?”
“Anything, really. As long as there’s a happy ending. Me, Ciarán, and Abbie have our own book club.”
“Oh yeah?”
He nods.
“I’d love to come sometime.”
Gabe goes very still, then blushes again, a deep rosy shade coloring his face. “Oh… Well. You might not like what we pick.”
My curiosity is piqued at that. “Why’s that?”
“They’re… not exactly high fantasy. More like high… romance.”
I grin, delighted by his omission. “You have asmuttybook club!”
“I didn’t say that.” His face is so red now, I can’t stop grinning at him.
“You didn’t have to. That blush gave you away.”
He laughs, flustered and adorable. “Oh my god, I never should have opened my mouth.” He pushes his hands into his cheeks,trying to hide the stain. I can’t help the laugh that escapes me, seeing this lighter side of Gabe.
“How about a reading sometime?” I ask jokingly. Although… I wouldn’t say no.
He rolls his eyes playfully, muttering something through a laugh about changing the locks and turns back to the shelf, but his smile remains. The morning sun slants across the wooden floorboards, the light that makes the whole shop look warm and peaceful. Gabe’s so relaxed. Freer than usual.
And then—
The next crack is loud.
A violent snap—the final panel gives out beneath his hand, and the entire shelf teeters, then collapses sideways with a deafening crash, splintered wood slamming against the floorboards.
