The End of Beginning

Julia sat at the counter of her bookstore the next day, absently flipping through invoices, her mind a million miles away. The financial strain of keeping the shop running was starting to wear on her. Rent had gone up, supplier costs were increasing, and foot traffic wasn't as steady as she needed it to be. She had always known running a small business wouldn't be easy, but she hadn't expected it to feel like she was constantly treading water.

She sighed, rubbing her temples before pushing the papers aside.

And then there was him. Her stomach twisted at the memory of their coffee meetup. The way he looked at her. The way he listened so intently.

He was so attentive. So intoxicating. She exhaled sharply, standing up. She needed to stop thinking about him like that. He has a girlfriend.

Forcing herself into motion, she spent the next hour stocking shelves, wiping down counters, and counting inventory—anything to keep her mind occupied. But even as she worked, the frustration lingered.

Eventually, she pulled out her phone and called Chloe.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite emotionally tormented friend," Chloe answered, amusement in her voice.

Julia groaned. "Shut up. I need to vent."

"Hold on, let me sit down for this," Chloe teased. "Okay, go."

"I got coffee with Joe," Julia said flatly.

There was a pause. "And you're just now telling me?"

"I've been trying not to obsess over it," Julia admitted, pacing behind the bookstore counter. "But it's not working."

Chloe hummed knowingly. "Let me guess. He was his usual charming and attentive self, he lured you in more, and now you're feeling even more conflicted because you know he's not available."

"Pretty much," Julia muttered.

"Sounds about right," Chloe said. "So, what are you going to do about it?"

Julia sighed, "Nothing good. I keep trying to tell myself that I'm reading too much into it and we're just friends." She paused before adding, "To make matters worse, apparently he's also an established musician! He invited me to one of his shows this weekend."

There was a pause. Then: "I'm sorry. What?"

"Yeah." Julia exhaled. "He just casually dropped that he plays music. Like it was nothing. And now I'm apparently going to watch him perform."

Chloe let out a dramatic gasp. "Oh, you are absolutely not going alone. I refuse. I'm coming for emotional support."

"Good," Julia said, relieved. "It'll be fun. And—"

"Can Ryan come, too?" Chloe interrupted.

Julia blinked. "Uh. Yeah, of course. Why?"

Chloe hesitated for only a second before saying, "Because... we're dating now."

Julia nearly dropped her phone. "Wait. What? Since when?!"

Chloe laughed. "Since, like, a few days ago. It happened just after his get-together last weekend."

Julia grinned, already pulling up Ryan's contact. "Oh, I have to text him now."

JULIA: So, you and Chloe, huh? You're starting to have a knack for not telling me about pretty significant things in your life!

RYAN: Oh god.

RYAN: I was going to tell you!

JULIA: Uh-huh. Don't think this means you're off the hook for getting made fun of around her.

RYAN: Great... *eyeroll emoji*

Julia smirked before sending another text.

JULIA: Anyway, I have news too. Turns out your famous friend is also a musician. He invited me to a show and Chloe is forcing me to invite the two of you.

RYAN: Ah. So I'm a pity invite.

JULIA: A little bit, yeah.

Ryan didn't respond right away, and Julia could almost feel his hesitation through the phone.

JULIA: Look, don't make this a thing. We're all just friends. It's just a show.

A few moments later, her screen lit up.

RYAN: Fine. But I'm keeping an eye on you.

Julia rolled her eyes but smiled.

She was about to put her phone away when a new message popped up.

JOE: Had a good time getting coffee with you yesterday. Looking forward to seeing you at the show.

It wasn't flirty. It wasn't anything, really. But it made her stomach flip all the same.