I don't own any books mentioned in this chapter.

The same man sat at the same table everyday. He bought a new book each day and read it for hours. He always came for new books. That's how I first noticed him. Actually I first noticed him when I saw his clothing. It was always outrageous and flamboyant, but he worked it. He was beautiful. Brown skin, tall, lean, wore makeup that looked good on him. He was a sight to see everyday, but I was just Alec. An employee at some random book store. Closeted, too. He wouldn't notice me. I'm not even the one who charges his books! My friend, Amaia, always does. Maybe he likes her... "Alec!" Amaia yelled. Stop daydreaming. I need you to help a customer."

"Oh. I'm sorry. Where are they?"

"The man over there. The one who always comes in. He's looking for a specific book." I automatically knew who she was talking about. She's doing this on purpose I swear. She knows I like him. Can I even say that? I've never even talked to him! "Alec. Just go. I notice you stare at him every day. You drool enough to fill a pool."

"I do not drool!"

"I know. Now go get some work done." Sometimes it pays to be friends with the manager, other times it doesn't. As I made my way over to him, my palms started to sweat. He's was very tall. Taller than me, even. I'm taller than everyone. "Do you need any help, sir?" He looked at me. His eyes were a light green. I liked them.

"Yes. I was looking for a book called 'The Maze Runner' by James Dashner. Can you help me find it?" He had a slight accent, but I couldn't tell what it was.

"Umm, yeah. Follow me. I'll show you where it is. I shoved my hands down my pockets and made it towards the young adult section. I picked out the book he wanted and handed it to him. "This is it."

"Thank you." He started to flip through it.

"Your welcome." He went over to Amaia to buy it, then he sat at the same table. After he sat down, I went over to Amaia. "Oh my God I was so awkward." I buried my face in my hand and rested my elbows in the counter.

"Watching a love-struck Alec is better than most the books in the store, and there's a lot of great books in this store."

"I don't love him. I haven't even talked to him," I groaned.

"Then why don't you? He's going to be here a while. He always is."

"I'm not," I hissed.

"Oh yes you are. Your love life is boring, he is clearly not boring. It's a perfect match if you ask me."

"I'm only wearing clothes that fit because I have to. My sweaters are two sizes too big. His jeans are two sizes too small."

"They say that opposites attract."

"Shut up," I scowled. I'm acting like a schoolgirl, but I can't help it. In my defense, Amaia is being difficult. He sat at the same table, reading a book.

Hours passed and it was almost time for me to head home. Home as in a small apartment I share with my sister and a cat. It was good enough, though. I had a bed to sleep on and air conditioning to keep me cool. There was only thirty minutes until I had to leave to do my homework for college, and he was still there. He seemed to be almost halfway finished with the book. Amaia wasn't around at the moment, and the store was almost empty. Might as well. I made my way over to the table and just stood there awkwardly. "Is it a good book? I've never read it." Stupid. He looked up from his book the first time since he got here.

"Yeah, I like it. You should read it sometime."

"I'll consider it. You come here often, but I don't know your name."

"It's Magnus." Magnus. I liked the name. It's goes with him. Carmel skin, light green eyes, Asian eyes. Everything fit together with him. "What's your name? I don't know, even though I see you every day." He laughed.

"It's Alec. Short for Alexander, but I don't really like my real name."

"Well, it just so happens that I love the name Alexander." Was that flirting? No, he just probably did like the name for different reasons. "Especially since it belongs to the cute blue eyed employee at this bookstore." That was definitely flirting. "Just saying, black hair and blue eyes are my favorite combination." And he keeps going on. My face started to flush. "The blush is cute too."

"Stop," I said, but it wasn't very convincing because I was smiling. Damn him. Damn him and his charm. "So. Why do you come here so often? I'm not complaining, if that's what you think."

"It's fine. I just like it here. It's just a little book store. It's like an escape. Much more different than my house. It's quiet. The only bad part is that I can't bring a cup of coffee and my cat. Then this place would be absolutely perfect." I laughed at this. It's easy to talk to him.

"What's going on at your house?" I didn't mean it seriously, but as soon as I saw his face I know I crossed a line. "Oh. I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you or anything," I said quickly.

"It's alright. It's nothing, really. Just me and my step dad don't get along. He doesn't like my decisions."

"What about your mom?" Shut up. You've already bothered him enough. "I'm sorry. It's just slipped. You don't have to answer." The same time I said that he said. "Dead." "What?" I asked.

"Both. Dead. Mom and Dad. Actually, I don't know about my dad. I hope he's dead. He just left my mom with me. We weren't exactly living in a white pickit fence house. It was hard. Then my mom met my step dad and it got better, but she didn't. She suffered from depression. One day I come home from school and I find my mom hanged in our garage." He said it all so bluntly. Like he was used to it. No child should have to live through that.

"I'm sorry. I should be kept my mouth shut. You didn't have to tell me anything, I wasn't thinking."

"It's alright, it's nothing." Time had passed since we started talking. It was time for me to go home.

"I'm sorry, but I have to get home. I'll be back tomorrow, I'll be glad to talk then."

"I'll be here." He smiled at me. It made my stomach do flips. I blushed and said a quick goodbye.

The next day at work Magnus hadn't come. He usually comes at the same time everyday, but not today. Today I was working at the cash register next to Amaia's. "So. You worried the guy ain't coming today? Maybe you'll get more work done."

"Shut up. He should be here."

"How do you know?"

"Um, right. Well yesterday when you were off doing something else, we talked. It was almost time for me to leave and I just talked to him." She grinned from ear to ear. She pointed a finger at me

"I. Told. You. So."

"Shut up. Just leave us alone."

"Us. Awwww. I can hear the wedding bells chime."

"Shut up!" As soon as I said the the door opened. In came Magnus. His outfit was a little more toned down. A yellow shirt, gray pants, glitter in his hair of course, and makeup. He made his way over to us. He seemed completely casual with one hand stuffed down his pocket. He made his way over to Amaia's register, but he flashed a crooked smile at me. "Hello, welcome. Do you need any help?" Amaia asked overly peppy.

"Yes, I would like the hot blue eyed boy." Amaia looked at me and grinned. She discretely winked.

"Hey Alec. You can take your lunch break early. That's fine with me."

"But I have to work-"

"I'll cover for you." I came out from behind the desk and said hi to him. "He's all yours." Magnus walked me out the store.

"So where are we going?" I asked.

"Since I can't being coffee in there, I'm taking you out to get coffee. Come, I know a really good place close to here." We turned a few corners and reached a nice little cafe called Takis. The inside was warm and decorated with paintings and couches. We took a seat near the back. Mostly because I wouldn't like all the attention we would draw if we sat right in the front of the cafe. We ordered coffees and started to talk. "So, you haven't noticed my little trick yet? Have you?"

"Trick? What trick." He took out a sheet of paper and pen.

"You never noticed the books I've read. Well first it was Great Gatsby. Then it was Oliver Twist." He kept list in the books he's bought until the first letter of each title spelled out a message. Go out with me. I smiled, then laughed, then blushed.

"Yes. I'll go out with you." My heart gave a twist at the words, but I knew I wouldn't regret them.

Original title: ADORABLE BOOKSHOP AU