The End of Beginning

The day of the Halloween event had arrived, and Julia could feel the nervous energy buzzing in her chest. She had spent the past few weeks worrying about turnout, about whether people would actually show up, and whether this would be the success that the bookstore desperately needed.

Now, standing in the middle of the decorated space, she exhaled slowly, trying to push away the anxiety.

"It looks amazing, Jules," Chloe said beside her, nudging her lightly. "It's gonna be a hit."

Julia nodded, glancing around at the spooky decorations. Fake cobwebs stretched over the bookshelves, flickering candles gave the room an eerie glow, and a fog machine near the entrance added to the ambiance. Chloe had arranged a Halloween-themed book display near the register, featuring horror novels and eerie classics. The event had everything—seasonal drinks, a costume contest, and even a small section where guests could share their favorite ghost stories.

Ryan, dressed in his lumberjack costume, stood near the drink station, already looking overwhelmed. "So... you're telling me this place is gonna be packed?"

"That's the plan," Julia said, adjusting the black velvet witch hat on her head. Her witch costume was both modest and playful with a bit of v-neck, but she suddenly felt a little self-conscious, shifting her weight as she smoothed the fabric.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her attention away.

JOE: Big night. You ready?

JULIA: As ready as I'll ever be.

JOE: You'll do great. Wish I could be there.

Julia bit her lip, warmth blooming in her chest.

JULIA: Me too.

She sighed, tucking her phone away. The truth was, she did wish Joe was here—not just because she wanted to see him, but because she wanted him to be part of a big turning point for the bookstore.

As 6 p.m. approached, guests started arriving, filling the space with laughter and conversation. Chloe was a natural host, weaving through the crowd effortlessly. Julia tried to keep up, making small talk with customers, keeping an eye on the drink station, and making sure everything was running smoothly.

And for the most part—it was.

The bookstore was packed. People mingled, browsed books, and engaged in Halloween trivia while sipping warm apple cider. Julia heard bursts of laughter from the corner where someone was telling a ghost story. She let out a relieved breath.

It was working.

She had barely finished that thought when the door chimed, and someone stepped inside wearing all black with a Jack Skellington mask.

At first, she assumed it was just another costumed guest, but something about the way they moved—without stopping to mingle—sent a flicker of unease through her.

"Excuse me," she called, forcing a polite tone. "Please remove your mask while you're inside the store."

The person ignored her, heading towards her behind the register.

Julia's stomach tightened. She threw a glance at Chloe, but her friend was distracted.

"Hey!" she called again, more firmly. "I need you to take that off."

The person reached out to grab her wrist and pulled her towards the back room behind the register.

It happened so fast, she didn't have time to react. Panic filled Julia, her heart hammering.

Once they were in the back room and out of sight from everyone, she forcefully pulled her hand back. The masked figure turned, lifted a hand to the mask, and pulled it off—revealing a very familiar smirk.

Julia's breath caught.

"Joe?!"

"Surprise," he said, his grin widening.

Julia stared, her mind scrambling to catch up. "What—" She took a step forward, nearly tripping over her own feet. "What the hell are you doing here?!"

Joe let out a low chuckle. "I thought I'd surprise you."

"You—" She blinked rapidly, her pulse racing. "You're actually here."

Joe's expression softened as he stepped closer. "Yeah," he murmured. "I'm here."

She didn't think—she just moved, throwing her arms around him. He let out a small laugh but hugged her back, wrapping her up in warmth.

The hug lingered longer than necessary before they pulled away.

Joe's gaze flickered down her outfit, his lips quirking up. "I'm glad I made it. You make for a sexy witch."

Julia's breath hitched. "Shut up," she muttered, but her face was burning.

Joe's smirk didn't fade.

Before either of them could say anything else, Chloe's voice rang out from the front. "Julia! We need you!"

Julia tore her gaze from Joe, exhaling sharply. "Shit," she muttered. "I have to—"

Joe raised a brow. "Go run your show?"

"Yeah," she said breathlessly. "Just... don't disappear."

Joe chuckled. "I won't. I'll see you out there."

Julia took a steadying breath before stepping back into the event, her heart still racing.

The event went smoothly, the bookstore packed with people laughing, chatting, and enjoying the drinks and snacks.

Julia couldn't help but notice Joe hanging back, his eyes locked on her, a small smile on his face as he leaned casually against a shelf. She was surprised, but relieved that no one at the event recognized him.

Every time she caught him looking at her, she felt her heart flutter, a burst of heat spreading through her. It was hard to focus on anything else with him in the room, but she couldn't let herself get distracted.

The event continued with the same high energy, but as soon as it began winding down, Chloe hurried over to Julia.

"Okay, what the fuck," Chloe whispered, her eyes wide. "When were you going to tell me that Joe was coming?"

Julia looked at her, slightly panicked. "I didn't know!"

Chloe gave her a teasing look and hummed, "Sure, Jan."