Letters In A Book

Pic generated by me using MetaAI

The doorbell chimed, and Jake looked up to see Linda stepping into his bookstore.

"Back for more, Linda?" He asked.

"Yeah," Linda smiled.

She loved the smell of old books in the store. It felt so comforting especially now she had moved from the busy town to this rural area, where she had come to find peace. And the books store provided a whole lot of the peace she required. Although she knew that was a lie, she told herself, just to stop her mind from believing that she had developed a thing for Jake.

"Want more?" Jake asked, adjusting his glasses.

She tucked a strand of her dreadlocks behind her ear and stared at the shelves "You know I do".

Jake bent and pulled out an old novel from under the counter.
"Here, I've been saving this for you" he offered her the book. His eyes stared at her longer than usual.

"Thank you, Jake." She thanked him, also trying hard to avoid his gaze. He always kept the best books for her and from the way he stared at her, she could tell he liked her too. But wondered why he didn't want to say anything to her.

Then she turned to find her favourite spot to read. She could feel Jake's eyes on her, so she prayed not to miss a step till she was seated.

Cuddled up in that corner of the store, she opened the book to read, and a few pages down there it was again, folded neatly and tucked in between the pages of the book, was a paper. Perturbed and confused, she wondered why anyone would be tucking in papers in between books and forget to remove them before returning the book.

She stared at the paper for some seconds then she opened it up. And just like the last time, it had the same beautiful handwriting

"I wish I could be the pages of your favourite book
So I could watch your cute eyes dance" the note read.

She smiled, whoever that sweet poem was meant for must be a lucky girl or guy, she thought. She looked up from her spot to Jake, who pretended he was busy with work, and wondered if he ever had the idea that someone was slipping notes into books before returning them. Carefully she slipped the note back and ignored it. Then she returned to reading her book.

A few pages to the end of the book another piece of neatly folded paper slipped out. She picked it up again, and just like the lady's note, this one had the same handwriting.

"I see you every day but lack the courage to tell you how I feel.
So I let my letters be my voice
To tell you how in love I am with you"

She couldn't hold back her smile anymore, her heart fluttered with the wind. She looked up to catch Jake staring at her and then it clicked. The letters had been from Jake. He had been writing her these letters, that's the reason he always offered to keep the interesting books for her.

Taking a deep breath, she closed the book and stepped out of her reading spot, then she walked up to Jake, heart beating fast.

He watched as she raised the note to him.

"Hey Jake" she greeted

"Uhm. Hi," Jake replied. Their hands shook as he swallowed his words hard.

"I'm guessing... these letters. Are they from you?" she asked with a soft smile.

"Yes. Linda, I didn't just know how to tell you. I'm sorry if..." he said fidgeting. Linda could notice how shy he was. She could tell he looked so cute when shy.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, Jake. You should have just told me" her voice was softer.

"So does that mean I have a chance to take you to dinner?" Jake asked, his eyes lit like with hope and anticipation.

Leaning forward to rest her elbow on the counter, Linda replied, "Yes. Also, you don't have to hide anymore".

Jake leaned forward, too, and at that moment, the world outside faded behind them, only for the quiet bookstore that was about to witness their secret. A sweet moment where they were about to lock lips.

The bell on the door chimed again; a customer was coming in, breaking them from their little moment of romance.

They looked at each other and smiled. They might have been interrupted in their first kiss, but they were sure it was the beginning of something beautiful.