The End of Beginning

The bookstore was alive with energy—warm lights, festive garlands, and the hum of excited conversation filling the space. The scent of cinnamon and pine wrapped around Julia as she moved through the aisles, making sure everything was in place. The hot cocoa station steamed invitingly, and local authors sat at their tables, chatting with attendees.

"You're doing great, Chloe," Julia said, adjusting a display of books.

Chloe, clipboard in hand, exhaled sharply. "Tell that to the author who canceled last minute. I swear, I might actually lose my mind."

"You pulled everything together anyway," Julia reassured her. "The event still looks amazing."

Chloe huffed but managed a small smile. "Thanks. Just don't let me near the hot cocoa stand—I might spike it out of spite."

Julia laughed, but before she could respond, a voice cut through the crowd.

"Hey, this must be the woman behind the magic."

Julia turned to find a tall guy with easy confidence approaching. He wore a fitted sweater that complemented his broad frame, dark curls slightly tousled. His smile was charming, the kind that probably worked well for him.

"I'm Ben," he said, extending a hand. "I've heard a lot about you."

Julia shook his hand, arching a brow. "Have you?"

"Your store has a reputation—word is, it's the coziest spot in town."

She chuckled. "I'll take that as a compliment."

Ben lingered, his hands casually in his pockets. "I could probably spend all day here. Something about bookstores—feels like stepping into another world, you know?"

Julia smiled despite herself. "I do know."

He tilted his head. "I actually write for a local magazine. I cover arts, culture, that kind of thing. I'd love to do a feature on you and the bookstore sometime."

Julia blinked, pleasantly surprised. "Oh, really?"

"Absolutely." He leaned against a nearby bookshelf. "Indie bookstores like this are the heart of a community. And from what I've heard, yours has quite the following."

Warmth spread through her chest. "That's really flattering. I'd love that."

Ben's smile deepened. "Then we'll have to set something up."

The conversation stayed easy, Ben charming but not overbearing. He was handsome, too—clean-cut, bright eyes, the kind of face she would have typically gravitated toward in the past.

But as she spoke to him, her mind wandered elsewhere. She thought of Joe instead. His big, round brown eyes that always held a spark of mischief. The sharp lines of his jaw, softened only by the ever-present stubble. The way he ran a hand through his thick hair when he was deep in thought.

Joe's face had become her favorite to look at. The kind that made her stomach flip just thinking about him.

Ben tilted his head. "You okay?"

Julia blinked, forcing herself to focus. "Yeah, sorry. Just—long night."

Ben's grin widened. "Maybe you need a break. Do you want to grab a drink after the event?"

Julia's polite smile faltered. "Oh—uh, that's nice of you, but I have a boyfriend."

Ben held up a hand, backing off slightly. "Gotcha, no worries. Just thought I'd ask."

Before she could respond, her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out, relieved to see Joe's name.

JOE: How are things going?

JULIA: Good. But there's a guy here who's been chatting me up all night. He's nice, but I think he's hoping for more than book recommendations.

Joe's reply was almost immediate.

JOE: Need me to fly over and handle it?

Julia smirked, typing back.

JULIA: Tempting. But I've got it under control.

JOE: He better not be getting any ideas. You're mine.

Her heart skipped. She could practically hear his voice, low and teasing, but with an edge of possessiveness that sent warmth curling through her.

JULIA: Oh, so now you're the jealous type?

JOE: Only when it comes to you.

Julia bit her lip, glancing around before typing back.

JULIA: Coming from the man with a fan club.

JOE: None of them are you.

Her stomach did a little flip.

The event continued, the night wrapping around her in a blur of laughter and holiday cheer. Ben, thankfully, kept his distance after their previous encounter, and Julia found herself caught between conversations with customers and authors.

Later, after the crowd thinned, she stepped outside for some air. The crisp winter air nipped at her skin as she pulled out her phone, seeing Joe's name light up her screen again.

JOE: I miss you. How'd the event go?

JULIA: It went really well. But I wish you were here.

JOE: I'll be home soon, baby. Hang tight.

She exhaled, the ache of missing him settling deep in her chest.

JULIA: Counting down the days.

The next morning, the holiday supplies were packed away, but the bookstore was still coated in the warmth of last night's event. Julia leaned against the counter, absently flipping through one of her sketchbooks.

"I've been thinking," she murmured.

Chloe glanced up from her coffee. "Dangerous."

Julia smirked. "I know what I'm gonna give Joe for Christmas."

Chloe's brows lifted. "Oh? What?"

Julia turned her sketchbook toward her, revealing a page. "I'm going to frame the drawing I did of him on set."

Chloe softened. "That's beautiful, Julia! That's actually really sweet."

Julia traced a finger over the pencil lines. "It just feels...right. He always jokes about being 'just an actor,' but he's so much more than that. I think he forgets how much people see him—really see him."

Chloe sipped her coffee. "Wow. You really like him."

Julia exhaled. "Yeah. I do."