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Two
Arnold
Ifumbled with the keys. The lock clicked open, and I stepped into DNF bookstore. Old books, that sweet, musty scent, hit me first, then the soft hum of a jazz tune playing somewhere in the back.
"Morning, Arnold," Fable called out without looking up. Books stacked in her arms, she nestled them onto shelves carefully.
"Hey." My voice barely pushed past my lips.
"Wind's crazy out there, huh?" Lyric's eyes crinkled as she smirked, a pile of paperbacks balanced in her hands.
I ran a hand through my hair, feeling it stick out at odd angles. "Yeah, it's pretty wild."
"Come help us with these new arrivals?" Fable motioned over to a pile of new arrivals. Nestled neatly into the pile was the latest release of a fantasy series I was enjoying reading. It was called Journey, and Morning Star had just come out. This author wasn't even on my radar until I saw it advertised on an obscure video. MK Richberger. Honestly, her work outshines most of what I've read these days. I was itching to sit in the back, on that cozy chai,r and dig in, but work awaited.
"Sure thing." I shrugged off my jacket, laying it over the counter. My fingers brushed spines, selecting books and slotting them into their homes on the shelves. Each one felt right, familiar. The weight of stories, the promise of other worlds.
"Arnold, you're a lifesaver," Lyric said, nudging a box toward me with her foot. "These would've taken us all morning."
"Happy to help." A flush crept over my cheeks, but I hoped they didn't notice.
We moved around each other, each lost in our world. Fable's laughter floated over the top of bookcases. Lyric's quiet hum filled the spaces between. And me? I just tried to keep pace, to find my rhythm in the soundtrack of their ease.
I shuffled further into the room, my sneakers squeaking softly against the polished wood floor. Fable caught my eye from across a mountain of hardcovers, her grin spreading like sunlight through clouds.
"Your morning okay? Where's Rufus?"
"He's behind the desk sleeping. Caught him chasing his tail this morning." My lips twitched up at one corner, a laugh hiding beneath the surface. "Went round and round till he toppled over. Must have tuckered himself right out."
"Sounds like quite the show." Her eyes danced with amusement, her hands never stopping their work.
Lyric leaned against the nearby counter; her arms crossed as she watched me. A playful glint sparkled in her gaze.
"Found any new book crushes yet, Arnold?" Her voice held a teasing lilt, but it was gentle, no sting. "Or real crushes."
"Uh, well..." Heat climbed up my neck, not used to being the center of attention. "There's this fantasy series I'm into. The lead character's pretty cool."
"Fantasy, huh?" She pushed off the counter and picked up another stack of books. "You'll have to let me borrow it when you’re done."
"Sure thing." The words stumbled out, but I was grateful for the distraction. Grateful for something else to focus on other than how hot my cheeks felt.
"Excuse me?"
I turned, my heart skipping a beat at the sight of a customer, a woman in her thirties, her eyes bright with curiosity.
"Can you recommend a fun romance? Something light?"
"Sure, follow me." I led the way to a corner filled with pastel covers and happy endings. "This one's a favorite." I plucked a book from the shelf, the title embossed in gold. "The characters will steal your heart."
She took the book, flipping it over to read the back. "Quirky, you say?"
"Definitely." I chuckled, remembering the antics of the protagonist. "There's a scene with a runaway gelato cart. Pure chaos."
"Sounds perfect." Her grin matched my own, and she added it to her pile.
"Try this one too." I handed her another. "If you like grand gestures."
"Who doesn't?" She laughed and tucked the book under her arm.
