Quinn wiped sweat off his forehead as the sun beat down on him. It was going to be a hot day, judging by this weather. It was only 8am and the curtains were drawn over his shop windows. He slipped through the door, making sure nobody was behind him, and surveyed the scene.
Relaunching a shop was harder than he’d thought. Hermione’s book took precedence, consuming every part of his psyche. Also, Hermione had become a total authorzilla, and he’d been a little afraid to do anything but write.
But now it was publication day, which also fell on reopening day. Incense burned in each corner, a sandalwood smell, which was now his favourite. It reminded him of the scent Noah wore when they first kissed. The smoke rose from metal censers, and flames burned in large white pillar candles. He’d set a chair up at the altar, more of a throne, with a red carpet leading from door to throne for added Hollywood effect. The bookshelves were back where they were meant to be, crammed full of titles old and new.
A table in front of the throne, stacked full of Hermione’s books, with a photo of her on the cover, captured all of her Hollywood essence. The posters for the signing had been tacked up for two months. Excitement in Hay had started to build when they’d realised that Kings & Queens was coming back.
It didn’t matter that Hermione’s book wasn’t a gay title. They’d made an exception.
A knock at the door. Taking a deep breath, he peered through the curtains, seeing Noah.
He let him in, making him squeeze through the gap.
‘This is top secret,’ Noah said when he was in.
He looked fantastic. He had dressed for the hot weather, wearing shorts that showed off toned legs, and a red T-shirt. Quinn kissed him, then showed him the display.
‘What do you think?’
‘She’s going to love it. I haven’t seen her this happy in forever.’
‘She deserves every part of it.’
Getting her to help launch Kings & Queens with her signing had been a straightforward decision. They’d worked on the book in partnership, so this felt like a fair trade-off. With Hermione marketing the book, the publisher marketing the signing, and Quinn marketing the shop, he was expecting a very busy, albeit hot, day.
‘Youdeserve it.’ Noah placed his hands on Quinn’s face, scanning him with his eyes. It always made Quinn giddy when he looked at him like that. ‘Do we have time for a quickie?’
Their eyes drifted to the confessional booth.
Whatever desire they had fled when another knock on the door came. Quinn peered outside and saw…
‘Bloody Blair Beckett,’ Quinn whispered to Noah, before opening the door and letting Blair and Ivy in.
Blair came prepared with a camera crew. ‘Lunch time news.’
‘Of course.’
As the cameraman set up, Ivy fussed over Blair’s suit, dusting his shoulder and adjusting his tie.
‘Things going well between you two?’
‘Oh, the best.’ Ivy smiled.
In no time at all, the queue would be outside the door, and Hermione would be the major attraction. It filled Quinn with nerves as he wondered if his shop was good enough, if people wanted it back. Today would be busy, but would tomorrow?
He hadn’t realised he’d been biting his nails, a habit he’d picked back up while getting the shop ready, until Noah slipped his hand away.
‘You’re going to be alright. This is perfect. All of it is.’
‘You think so?’
‘Look at it, Quinn. We’re all where we’re meant to be.’
He could see the shadows at the windows, hear the voices muffled behind the glass, and something changed within him.
Because it didn’t matter if every day didn’t look like this one. It didn’t matter if only one customer came in tomorrow. What mattered was having this space open, where he could help others who needed it most, champion LGBTQ writers, and keep Hay gay.
Kings & Queens was more than just a bookshop. It was a sanctuary, a respite, and a friend.
