A few days after Christmas, Julia and Joe had started to settle into a quiet, surprisingly comfortable routine at her apartment. The post-holiday haze made the days feel slower, sleepier. Joe was surprisingly helpful around the place—always keeping the fridge stocked and tidying up without being asked.
Now, curled up on the couch in oversized socks and one of Joe's hoodies, Julia scrolled through her phone while Joe absentmindedly plucked a few notes on the guitar beside her. Outside, the city was still blanketed in the hush of winter.
She was just about to text Chloe when an email notification popped up on her screen.
From: Ben Halloway
Subject: Hope You Don't Mind
Hey Julia,
Hope you're doing well. I wanted to send over the article I wrote about your store. I came across your email on the store's social media page—hope you don't mind me reaching out directly.
Take care, and happy holidays.
-Ben
Julia stared at the email, her pulse kicking up again.
Joe glanced over, noticing the distressed look on her face. "What is it?"
She hesitated before handing him her phone. "The article about the bookstore. Ben emailed it to me."
Joe skimmed the email, then clicked the link. They read through it together in silence.
The Little Bookstore with a Big Heart
By Ben Holloway
Nestled in the heart of New York, between bustling coffee shops and towering buildings, sits Ever After Books—a charming, independently owned bookstore that feels more like stepping into a beloved story than a retail space.
At the center of it all is Julia Reed, the store's owner. Her passion for books isn't just evident—it's woven into the very fabric of Ever After Books. She inherited the store from her father, who opened it decades ago, and keeping it alive has become more than just a job for her. It's a way to honor his legacy and provide a space where stories continue to bring people together.
Unlike the corporate giants that dominate the industry, Ever After Books thrives on something bigger than just sales—it thrives on connection. From weekly book clubs to intimate author signings, Julia has fostered a space that makes customers feel like part of something special.
"I want people to feel like this is their space too," she said. "Whether it's a kid picking out their first book or someone discovering a new favorite author, seeing that excitement makes all the long hours worth it."
It's clear that Julia is more than just a bookstore owner. She's a storyteller in her own right, curating not only the books that fill the shelves but the experiences that keep customers coming back.
During our chat, Julia moved through the store with an ease that spoke to years of familiarity. But what stayed with me was the way she paused and looked around the store. There was something in her eyes—something proud, wistful, and deeply rooted. In that quiet moment, it became clear: this bookstore isn't just where she works. It's part of who she is. And that's what makes Ever After Books so special.
For anyone searching for their next great read—or just a place that feels a little like home—this indie gem is worth a visit.
When they reached the end, Joe let out a thoughtful hum. "Huh."
Julia glanced at him. "What?"
He raised his brows. "It's a great article. He really captured the vibe of the store." Then, smirking, he read aloud, "'There was something in her eyes.'"
Julia rolled her eyes. "Joe—"
He leaned back against the couch pillows, still grinning. "I dunno, Jules. Seems like Ben might be a little smitten."
She shot him a look. "Are you seriously jealous?"
Joe held up both hands. "Not at all." A beat passed. "Okay... maybe a little."
Julia couldn't help the smile tugging at her lips.
He chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "You love it."
She sighed, resting her head on his chest. "The article is good, at least."
Joe traced lazy circles on her back. "It is. And hey, now your store's gonna get some solid publicity."
"I hope so," she murmured.
Later, fresh out of the shower and curled up on the couch with a mug of coffee, Julia watched Joe flop down beside her with a dramatic sigh.
"What if I told you I had something fun planned tonight?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Define fun."
"Karaoke."
She laughed, leaning her head back against the couch. "God, I haven't done karaoke since college."
Joe grinned. "Exactly! My good friends Charlie and Natalia are back in town, and I'd love for you to meet them. We go out for karaoke all the time when we're filming Stranger Things, so I figured it'd be fun to do again. I even asked Ryan and Chloe to come."
Julia blinked. "Wait... Charlie and Natalia... surely you don't mean—" Her eyes widened. "Jonathan and Nancy?"
Joe chuckled. "The very same."
"Oh, great," Julia groaned. "So now I get to embarrass myself not just in front of you, but in front of other celebrities, too."
He laughed, leaning in. "First of all, you don't have to sing."
She gave him a skeptical look.
"Okay, you don't technically have to sing," he amended. "But after a couple drinks? You'll be begging for the mic."
"Not happening."
Joe shrugged. "We'll see."
Julia felt a flutter of curiosity. Meeting Charlie and Natalia would be surreal after spending so many hours watching all three of them on the show. Now she'd be in the same room, sipping drinks and watching them belt out pop songs.
"If I say yes," she said, arms crossed, "I get full permission to just sit and enjoy the chaos?"
Joe placed a hand over his heart. "Scout's honor."
A few hours later, they arrived at a neon-lit karaoke bar. Music spilled from different private rooms. After grabbing drinks, Joe led her down the hallway, his fingers brushing lightly against her back.
When they stepped inside the private room, Julia immediately spotted Charlie and Natalia sitting on the couch, laughing over drinks. They both looked effortlessly cool—Charlie with his shaggy hair and laid-back style, Natalia with her delicate features and warm smile.
Joe clapped a hand on Charlie's shoulder. "Look who it is. It's so good to see you, man." The two men hugged before Charlie turned to Julia.
"Ah, you must be Julia."
"That's me," she said, feeling a little starstruck.
Natalia leaned forward, smiling. "It's so nice to finally meet you. Joe's mentioned you a lot."
Julia glanced at Joe, who took a long sip of his drink, avoiding eye contact.
"Has he now?" she said, amused.
Natalia laughed. "Only good things, I swear."
"Mostly," Charlie added with a smirk.
Joe rolled his eyes. "Don't start."
Julia couldn't help but laugh, easing into the conversation as Ryan and Chloe arrived a few minutes later. Drinks started flowing, and soon enough, the karaoke began.
Charlie and Joe kicked off the night with a dramatic duet of Under Pressure by Queen and David Bowie. Their energy was electric—both of them fully committing to the performance with exaggerated stances, wild air guitar solos, and theatrical facial expressions that had everyone cracking up.
"Okay, I have to admit," Julia whispered to Natalia, raising her glass, "they're pretty good. Are they always this animated when they're together?"
Natalia grinned. "Oh, this is nothing. Joe takes karaoke way too seriously. Give it an hour—he'll be acting out an entire music video."
Julia laughed, already seeing it happen. As they bantered, the drinks kept flowing—everyone sipping steadily throughout the night except for Chloe, who nursed a single soda with a lime twist.
Next up was Natalia, who absolutely slayed a sultry rendition of Ain't It Fun by Paramore. Her voice was strong and controlled, her presence magnetic as she swayed to the beat. By the time she hit the final chorus, the whole room was cheering.
"Okay, okay," Charlie clapped. "I see you, babe. Didn't know we were bringing full-stage energy."
"Just keeping up," Natalia teased, flipping her hair with a grin.
Ryan took the mic next, choosing Don't Stop Believin' with a boyish grin. He threw himself into it with embarrassing, full-throated enthusiasm—pointing at each of them during the lyrics, spinning around dramatically, and butchering the high notes with no shame.
"You're doing great, sweetie," Chloe called, barely holding back a laugh.
Chloe was next, despite her initial protests. She surprised everyone by choosing Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon—upbeat, catchy, and a total crowd-pleaser. Her voice was sweet and lively, and she danced along, flashing the group a contagious smile.
"Okay, pop princess!" Joe shouted when she finished, raising his drink in salute. "Where've you been hiding that voice?"
Chloe shrugged, cheeks a little pink. "I guess I don't even need alcohol to get me hyped nowadays."
Through it all, Julia stayed curled in her seat, sipping from her half-empty glass and watching with a buzzed, warm glow. But the deeper they went into the night, the looser her limbs felt, and the stronger the pull of the mic became.
Joe leaned in close, his voice low and teasing in her ear. "You're next."
She turned her head toward him, brows lifted in challenge. "Says who?"
"Says me." His lips brushed her temple as he whispered, "Don't make me beg."
Julia's smile turned sly. He leaned in again, voice rough in her ear.
"Please, baby. Sing for me."
A shiver ran down her spine. She downed the rest of her drink and stood up, reckless with liquid courage. "Fine. But you owe me."
Joe grinned triumphantly as she stood up and scanned the song list. After a moment, she selected Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac.
As the opening chords played, Julia took a deep breath. She didn't consider herself a singer, but she knew this song by heart.
The moment she started, the room went quiet. Her voice was soft at first, but as she got into the song, her confidence grew.
"Rhiannon rings like a bell through the night
And wouldn't you love to love her?"
Her tone was smoky and sure, channeling the raw edge of Stevie Nicks. As the chorus hit, she belted out the lyrics with perfect pitch.
"All your life you've never seen woman taken by the wind.
Would you stay if she promised you heaven? Will you ever win?"
As she continued to the next verse, she glanced at Joe.
He was frozen—jaw slack, drink untouched, eyes locked on her like he was seeing her for the first time.
By the second chorus, the room had erupted in cheers, but Julia barely registered it.
When the final notes faded, applause rang out.
"That was..." He trailed off, his voice lower than before.
Julia smirked. "Painfully brutal?"
Joe shook his head, as if trying to clear his thoughts. Then, suddenly, his hands were on her waist, pulling her in slightly. "That was not what I expected."
Julia raised an eyebrow. "Hopefully in a good way."
He grinned. "Very good."
Her pulse raced as he pulled her in, his eyes still locked on hers.
Charlie let out a low whistle. "Damn, Joe. You good?"
Joe blinked, remembering that he was in a room full of people. But he didn't look away from Julia. "Yeah. Just... wow."
Natalia laughed. "I knew she was gonna be cool."
Joe smirked. "Please. One duet. Just one."
"No way. I did my one song and that's it," Julia said, still flushed.
"Please don't make me do one alone... or, even worse, another one with Charlie," he groaned dramatically.
Charlie threw a chip at him. "Wow. Betrayal."
Julia rolled her eyes but couldn't stop smiling. "Sorry, babe. I met my quota for tonight."
Joe pouted, then slowly pushed himself up, clearly a little tipsy as he made his way toward the mic. "Fine. Y'all better be ready."
He scrolled through the options with exaggerated focus, then selected You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates. The second the intro played, everyone cheered.
"Oh my god, he loves this song," Natalia laughed, already clapping along.
From the first verse, Joe was in full performance mode—hips swaying, mic twirling, slurring just slightly as he belted the lyrics with playful intensity. His energy was electric, his hair a mess, shirt slightly untucked from how animated he'd been all night. And despite the exaggerated dancing, his gaze kept returning to Julia.
He pointed at her on the chorus—"You make my dreams come true!"—with a ridiculous amount of sincerity for someone singing a Hall & Oates song. His voice cracked slightly on the high note, but he powered through with an unbothered grin, eyes never really leaving hers.
Natalia laughed so hard she had to wipe her mascara. "He's such a dork."
Charlie leaned over to Ryan and said, "He's gonna wake up tomorrow with no voice and no regrets."
Julia just watched, frozen somewhere between secondhand embarrassment and complete infatuation. He looked wild and free and a little bit messy—and somehow, it was all making her heart race.
When the song ended, Joe dramatically bowed as everyone clapped and cheered him on.
"Oh my god," she muttered, laughing as she covered her face. "You're ridiculous."
The rest of the night passed in a blur of music, laughter, and Joe's lingering touches. Every time he brushed against her shoulder, rested a hand on her lower back, or leaned in just a little too close to whisper something in her ear, her body buzzed. The warmth of the alcohol mixed with the warmth of him—his cologne, his skin, his attention—and by the end of the night, she wasn't sure if she ever wanted it to end.
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A/N: Sorry for the extra long chapter, but this might be one of my favorites in this story. It's extra fun if you listen to each of the songs while reading and imagine them singing along!