The End of Beginning

It had been a week since the Halloween event, and the bookstore was still buzzing with excitement. Julia could hardly believe how successful the event had been—not only in terms of attendance but also the sheer amount of positive feedback she had received. Word was spreading, and more and more customers were stopping by to thank her for creating such a fun, memorable experience.

Chloe was already brainstorming their next big event with Christmas fast approaching. They'd decided to host a "Holiday Book Bazaar" at the bookstore, featuring local authors, seasonal book recommendations, and cozy, winter-themed snacks. They were also planning a holiday charity drive to give back to the community, hoping to bring in a crowd for a good cause.

Julia couldn't help but feel proud. The bookstore was becoming more than just a place to buy books—it was turning into a little hub for the community.

But even with all the success and planning, her mind kept drifting to Joe.

Their days were filled with texts, calls, and endless flirting. The connection between them was undeniable, growing stronger with each passing conversation. Joe would often send her sweet good morning messages, and their phone calls would stretch into the late hours, sometimes filled with laughter, other times with a quiet, longing tone.

The "I miss you"s had become a regular part of their exchanges, and Julia found herself looking forward to their nightly chats more than anything.

One evening, however, when Joe called, there was something in his voice that caught her attention. He sounded different—more tired, maybe even a little somber.

"Hey," Julia said, immediately concerned. "What's going on? You okay?"

Joe let out a long sigh. "Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a rough day on set."

She could hear the exhaustion in his voice. "What happened?"

He paused, collecting his thoughts. "We were filming some pretty dark stuff today. You know, heavy plotlines. Sometimes it just gets to be a lot emotionally."

Julia frowned, feeling a pang of sympathy for him. "I'm sorry. I wish I could be there with you."

Joe's voice softened. "Me too. All I want after a day like today is to be with you and hold you."

Julia's heart fluttered at his words. She had no idea how much she longed to be his comfort zone. "I know what you mean," she whispered, her cheeks flushing slightly. "I wish I could be there with you to hold you, too."

The words hung between them, and Julia found herself imagining how wonderful it would be to just be there with him. "I wish I could come visit you," she said impulsively. "But I know it's probably unrealistic with your filming schedule, especially around the holidays."

Joe hesitated, his tone cautious. "Would you really consider it? Coming here, I mean?"

Julia took a deep breath, considering the idea. "Well, the bookstore has actually been doing better than I expected. We've got another book event coming up in December, but the timing might work out," she paused as she thought out loud. "Maybe I could sneak away for a couple days before Thanksgiving. It's not ideal, since it'd probably be the middle of the week, but I think I can make it work..." Julia trailed off, thinking about the logistics it'd take to make it happen.

There was a beat of silence before Joe responded, his voice filled with excitement. "Wait, are you being serious? You'd really come? I'd make sure to get it cleared with the director and everyone—I'll make sure it works."

Julia smiled, her heart racing at the thought of seeing him again so soon. "Yeah, I think I can make it happen. It's going to be a little tight with the holiday prep, but it'd be worth it."

Joe's enthusiasm was palpable. "Jules, you have no idea how happy that makes me. I can't wait to see you again. Two weeks, Julia! Just two more weeks!"

Julia felt a rush of excitement wash over her. "I can't believe we're gonna make this happen. Two weeks still seems like forever away."

Joe chuckled. "I promise you, it'll be so worth the wait."

They lingered on the phone for a little while longer, their voices soft, full of affection and anticipation. Julia knew they were both feeling the same thing—the need to be with each other.

After hanging up, Julia felt a mix of emotions: excitement at the thought of seeing Joe again, relief that they were on the same page, and a touch of nervousness about making it work with her schedule. But above all, she felt a warmth spread through her, knowing that in two weeks, she'd be seeing him again.

Two weeks. Maybe it didn't feel like long at all.