"You look beautiful, Sweetheart!" Mama says as I make my way to the kitchen on Monday morning.

"Oh, Mama, stop!" I blush at the compliment as I pour myself a thermos of coffee. 

Living at home in my thirties might not be the most glamorous thing ever, but it boosts my ego, that's for sure.

Oliver said the dress was casual so for my first official workday at the bookstore. I opted for a pair of blue jeans with a cream-colored blouse and my flats. I'm not even going to try to attempt heels on week one.

I'm a little nervous I haven't worked in some time now, but it's a good nervous. Starting a new job, even a temporary one, feels like an actual step towards my new life. The debts are being transferred from my name and off my credit reports, but Oliver said that could take time.

Luckily, I don't see myself needing a loan anytime soon.  I'll need to stay here for at least a year to have enough saved up for my own place. More than likely, I'll end up in a rental anyway.

"Do you want me to make you some eggs?"

"No, thanks, it's too late to eat. I'll grab a snack later."

"I made some muffins and apple butter for you to bring in." She gestures to the table where she has a grocery bag packed up and, next to it a smaller brown bag.

"Mama, I'm thirty-three. Please tell me you didn't make me a lunch."

"Old habits," she says with a shrug, "I made chicken salad sandwiches, your favorite! Extra, too, in case Oliver or your coworkers are hungry."

"Oh, Mama," I laugh. "I love you, and thank you, but please don't be going to all this trouble for me."

"It was nothing. Besides, I figured you wouldn't want to have lunch at the diner."

"You figured that right," I agree.

"Hunter come in for coffee yet?" I ask as I start gathering everything up to take with me.

"He and your dad left early this morning for some errand."

"What errand?" I ask as I arch an eyebrow.

"I didn't ask," she says, but she avoids my gaze, so yes, she did.

What's with the mystery? As I part my lips to ask again, she cuts me off before I can.

"Now hurry along to work. Don't want to be late for your first day."

She starts humming to herself as she begins rinsing dishes, and I know I'm not getting it out of her, so I grumble and head off, paper bags in hand for my first day at the bookstore.

***

I park Mama's van in the lot outside main street and walk to the bookstore. It's warm already, indicating we're in for a hot day. I'm glad I'm working indoors and not in the duplexes. I pause outside the double doors opening it slowly as I step inside for the first time.

"Whoa." As I step in, I see a large sign that says Sweet Adventures Comics and Books, hanging above a large counter with a few registers. Behind that is the comic section with several glass display cases of comics. On either side of the counter is an arrow; one brightly says, This Way Kids, and the other says, Psst in Here Grownups and Teens. It's very cute and whimsical.

Just as I'm about to venture to the child side I see Oliver coming from a door, in the comic area.

"Kinsey, hi, come on back here to the office for a second, and then we'll do a tour."

"Okay," I agree. As I walk through the comic section, I see the restrooms and then the door Oliver is holding open, which leads to a lounge area with a few tables and a small kitchenette. I set my lunch in the fridge and the bag on the counter.

"What's in there?" Oliver asks excitably.

"Muffins and apple butter," I chirp.

"Best hire ever," Oliver declares as he opens the bag and grabs himself one.

"Gee, thanks," a male voice joins, and I look up to see Blaine Gordy walking in. I recall he had worked at the old bookstore for a long time. He's a few years older, with streaks of grey peppering his black curly hair.

"You'll agree once you try these," Oliver motions to the bag.

"I do have a sweet tooth," Blaine agrees as he steps over, and Oliver hands him a muffin. "Oh wow, it's still warm."

"That's Betsy. She probably woke up at the crack of dawn to bake these," Oliver says as he opens the apple butter and spreads a big dollop on his muffin, then hands it over to Blaine.

"She also made me literal bag lunch," I agree, and Oliver laughs.  I grab a muffin as well, and we all sit down at the table.

"Wait, what did she make?" Oliver asks.

"Chicken salad, and yes I have one for you," I say, and he smiles.

"Blaine, this is Kinsey, by the way. I'm assuming you know each other."

"Sure do. Kinsey came in a lot, over the holidays and such through the years," Blaine offers a smile that I return.

"She'll be covering the register days Monday through Friday as we talked about. I have your part-timers coming in later. I'll let the three of you figure out the night and weekend hours."

"Sounds good," Blaine agrees. "Kinsey, I'll be on most days with you, that's when I anticipate us being the busiest. However, some nights I'll be closing and leaving early to come back do that like today."

"Okay," I agree. "Let me know if you need me to cover anything extra, and I can."

"Thank you."

We all fall silent as we begin to eat our muffins.

"These are sinfully good," Blaine compliments.

"Right?" Oliver agrees.

"Excited to work with you both. It was so quiet in here towards the end. I can't wait to see new life in this store again," Blaine says.

"Well, today is a brand-new start. This isn't just a bookstore. It's a place to hang out and fall in love with books," Oliver declares.

"I love it!"

"They do, however have to buy a book to sit in here and read or write," Oliver says. "It's not a library. Also, if people want electronic books, they can download them here too. I'll show you the kiosks for those Kinsey."

"Can we tour it now?"

"Soon," Oliver says. "I just need you to fill out your forms. Blaine, we're going to do that, a tour and then I'll bring her over to have you show her the register."

"Sounds good!" Blaine says as he heads towards the counter. I follow Oliver into his office, which is pretty small to make room for a staircase leading up to his apartment.

Once I have everything filled out, I finally get the tour!

We start on the adult side, and it instantly relaxes me as I walk in. The lights are dimmed as we enter this area, and the bookshelves are all a deep dark classic wood. The sections are easily displayed, and I see the kiosks Oliver talked about off in a corner, so they don't upset the ambiance.

The room has a big fireplace against the back wall that crackles and gives the room an even cozier vibe, and next to that sits a coffee vending machine with a lot of selections from the look of it. Scattered in front of and around the fireplace are a bunch of plush-looking lounge chairs, that all have various old-school nineties patterns on them. Each chair has its own end table with a little desk lamp.

The center of the room is epic. It's almost like Friends but different. Instead of an orange couch, it's a plush wine one, and the big coffee table in the middle is adorned with old board games, just for show from the looks of it, as the boxes are stacked just so.

On each side of the couch sits a plaid, plush-looking recliner that faces the coffee table, so a group could sit here, like a book club or something like that. It's kind of like a Friends meets old-school family TV sitcom, but it's all so cozy. I just adore it.

On the other end of the room near the windows, are a few tables, set up with plush-looking office chairs, for people that would come in here to write or use the internet for school projects after buying a book, of course.

"This is so cool," I murmur as I take it all in.

"Isn't it?" Oliver is nearly glowing as he takes in every detail.

"I thought I would be all about the kid's side, but I see myself in here reading after work," I murmur as I continue to look around, trying to choose my favorite of all the patterned chairs, a blue and white polka dot one is the one I think, and I silently claim it.

"The kid's side is amazing, but it doesn't have the relaxing vibe this does. For kids, it needs to be bright and alive, or they get bored," Oliver comments. "Let's go see it!"

"Yes, please!" I eagerly follow him.

As we approach that side, I feel the energy of it right away. It's much brighter than the adult side.

There is a sign that says, A World of Imagination, which leads you into the room, which is carpeted with a thick green grassy-looking carpet. The bookshelves all look like tree trunks that have come to life as if they are holding the books in their protective magical arms.

The book sections are named the cutest things, things like Wizards and Warlocks and Witches, oh My, or Out of this World, Princess Lane, Animal Friends and so much more.

We continue on, and in the corner is an area set up with miniature little love seats of all different colors, along with a little play area with a plastic slide along huge letter blocks that currently spell out Books Are Fun. A small yellow couch near that section overlooks the play area.

"For the toddlers," Oliver explains.

"So cute!"

"Come to the center," Oliver takes my hand, and we walk through the tree trunk bookshelves, which lead us to the center of the room. There is a huge table set up with a bunch of chairs around it. The center of the table has a  tea set. Most chairs are empty, but in a few chairs are plastic figurines of the scene, including the Mad Hatter, at the head of the table.

"This is incredible," I sit at the head of the table facing the Mad Hatter.

"Wherever did I end up? I was trying to find a white rabbit!" I declare, making Oliver laugh.

"That's not all, come on," Oliver says, and I pop up to follow up him. We duck past another bookshelf, where I notice the carpet changes to lush off-white, and then the room opens up like the adult side to a reading area for the kids.

Unlike the friends set up and forestry set up, this is now set up like a castle, complete with a throne chair and a plush rug sitting in front of it, for schools that set up readings with groups of kids.

There are also several colorful cushy chairs for the kids to sit and read by themselves, each with little end tables that have desk lamps but also something special. One has the glass with the rose from Beauty and the Beast, another has Cinderella's glass slipper, and another has Snow White's shiny apple with a bite missing. The detail he put into this is just incredible.

The walls in this room have me completely mystified. They are all decorated with various Disney characters from Beauty and The Beast to Buzz Lightyear and Woody.

"The walls," I comment on them as I take them in. "You had someone come paint these?"

"They are wallpaper decals, believe it or not," Oliver says. "Amazing, isn't it?"

"I can't stop looking at it," I say as I shake my head. "You did something magical here, Oliver."

"Oh, Kinsey, really?" he sounds choked up, and I meet his gaze and find his eyes starting to swim with tears. "The whole time I pictured this I imagined you walking in and seeing it."

"It really is like our dreams come true, but more so. So many kids will come to love books here just like we did," I tell him.

He pulls me into his arms, hugging me tightly, and we both start crying and then laughing as we pull apart.

"Look at us, what a couple of saps," I joke.

"Come on, let's get you trained," Oliver says as he wipes at his face and laughs.

***

The register is easy to learn, and the morning ends up flying by as we get pretty busy. Lots of townies come in curious to see what Oliver did. Those who didn't know he was behind all this do now, and I don't think I have heard, 'Look what little Olly did' so many times in a day. He has been handling it very graciously.

Blaine took off a while ago and will return in a few hours when I leave.

"If you need to go check on the progress at the duplexes, I got this," I tell Oliver as a customer steps out and we empty out.

"My dad's there today, so it's alright," Oliver says.

"It was nice of you to give Hunter's crew the job," I comment.

"In hindsight, it was a shitty thing to do to send him that rejection letter when he offered to help," Oliver confesses. "Flying in people from another state made us look bad, didn't it?"

"It kind of did," I tell him. "Gave the impression you were taking away, not giving. Something to think about if you do anything like this in a small town again."

"And I might, if this concept takes off, it could be cool to do elsewhere," Oliver says. "What else could we have done differently so people weren't so upset?"

"Be more transparent about what you have planned," I suggest. "When you're coming in and demolishing things, folks want to know why. Hiring locals to help, though honestly, would be the biggest thing, because then those people will vouch for you."

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks Kinz."

The door opens, and little Harley comes bursting inside with Amber in her serving uniform behind him.

"Had to get a look at the place," Amber says.

"Come in!" Oliver smiles proudly. "I'll give you a tour."

"Oliver! And Kinsey too!" Harley cheers as he runs inside.

"Hi there, Harley!" I catch him in a hug as he barrels at me, giggling.

"He sure adores you," Amber comments, but her tone doesn't have a snark to it, surprising me. "Talks about you all the time."

"Really?" How sweet is that? I nearly melt at that as I release the little boy, who starts looking around wide-eyed at the comic displays.

"You'd think he's his dad," she adds, and there's the bite, but not as sharp as usual, and then she laughs.

"Oliver, where is the magic book-land?" Harley walks up to him and tugs at his sleeve, and Oliver looks down at him with a big smile. "I'll come show you. You ready?"

"Ready!" Harely agrees, then looks back at Amber. "Come on, Mama!"

"But I want to see the grown-up side," she teases Harley.

"No kid's side, first!" Harley demands, making us all laugh.

"Tell you what, Harley. I'll show you the kid's side and Kinsey can show your mom the adult side. How does that sound?" Oliver suggests.

"Let's go!" Harley agrees.

Okay, so me and Amber then....

***

"This is so cool." Amber is as mystified as I am as she walks around and takes it all in. "It's like a poetry bar in the nineties."

"It does have that vibe I was getting like a family sitcom, but also friends," I comment.

"Yeah, I see that too," Amber agrees. "I sort of feel like I'm back in New York."

"You miss it there?" I ask.

"At times," she says. "But family is here, and that's good for Harley."

"I'll be here during the days, so if you ever need a break or you're busy, you can send Harley over here, and I'll give him a book and keep him busy," I offer.

Hunter mentioned that When Shar isn't able to care for Harley, he spends his days at the diner with Amber, which is great that they let him hang there, but it's got to be hard on her and him both at times.

"I might just take you up on that," she says. "Thanks."

"Yeah, sure," I say casually.

"I appreciate that you're good with my kid, Kinsey. I know we always avoid or snap at each other, but It's all kind of pointless now that Hunter and I have both moved on."

"I'm sorry for my part in you being hurt," I offer.

"Not your fault, and I knew that," she admits. "I was always a, don't blame the other woman, kind of person. But then I was in that place and... that went right out the window. I was ugly, but I was angry."

"I don't blame you," I say. "Hell, I was snappy to you, too, and had no good reason like you did."

"Not a good one" she agrees with a dry laugh. "Hunter and I handle this co-parenting thing really well, so now we'll figure out the dating thing, but if you're good with Harley, I'm good with you."

"I'm not sure we're dating exactly..." how do I even begin to explain...

"I don't need details," Amber says quickly. "I was thinking we get along, not looking to be besties."

"Sorry." I wince.

***

Five a clock comes around before I know it, the day flew by, I found that I enjoyed retail, especially knowing everyone that came in. Tons of folks bought books and stayed to read them just as Oliver envisioned it.

I'm just about to head out after Blaine gets back when Oliver stops me.

"You want to have dinner? I can cook us something."

"You cook?" I ask as I raise an eyebrow.

"Well, microwave," he says. "I still have some meals from Amber."

"Do you have any groceries?" I ask.

"Yeah."

"Really? Or do you just have a stuffed freezer and no actual food?" I tilt my head as I raise a dubious eye.

"I have some stuff in the cabinets."

"We're going grocery shopping, and then I will cook us dinner," I declare.

"Spaghetti?" he asks in a pleading tone.

"Done," I agree.

***

Oliver's apartment is great, It's a small studio but very modern, with a grey vinyl floor and light grey walls. You walk right into the kitchen, which is all white and silver, and has little two-person island to sit at with a shiny marble counter.

The living and bedroom area has a big window that makes it look bigger, and he has a big plush couch sitting near it facing a wall-mounted television. I assume the couch must be pulled out to become a bed.

Oliver is currently sitting at the island as I perfect the suace for the spaghetti. I'm making extra so he can eat it for a few days since he's so helpless in the kitchen.

"Brandi texted, she said Billy is home," Oliver says.

"That's amazing," I say. "Should we go over there after dinner?"

"She said they're just having a quiet night, it's a lot for him, I'm sure."

"His kids being so much older," I say quietly.

"Yeah, that's got to be so hard," Oliver agrees.

"Did you ever think about having kids?" I ask curiously.

"Honestly, no, I got so focused on work I never even considered it, but I would."

"Want them?"

"Consider them," he clarifies.

"I suppose you travel a lot it wouldn't be ideal," I comment... much like Julian always said.

"My place in New York is great, big enough for kids, and right by the airport, traveling is easy. A family could be managed. It could even be fun for kids to get to travel around and stuff," Oliver says thoughtfully. "Lifestyle wouldn't be the deciding factor."

"What would be then?" I ask.

"The person," he says, holding my gaze for a moment. "I don't want my kids to have to deal with divorced parents like I did. It has to be the right person, the right time, all that."

"Yeah," I nod slowly. "That makes sense."

We're quiet for a bit as I cook and Oliver gets up to get plates out, and a few bottles of sparkling water that he pours over ice.

"It's ready!" I declare after one more taste. I scoop each of us up a big plate and set them on the island, where we each sit to eat.

He grabs a huge bite, blowing on it twice, and then diving right in, and his eyes light up making my heart burst with pride.

"Yum! Even better then I remembered," he declares.

"Yeah?" I ask.

"So good, Kinz," he is already digging back in for more.

"You were always such a bottomless pit," I tease.

"Remember when you thought I was a werewolf?"

I nearly spit my water out as I laugh at the memory.

"The kid in the book was just like you!" I defend through my laughter.

"I wasn't abnormally hairy," Oliver argues.

"But other than that, he was smaller than the kids his age like you, always hungry and never full like you, and wore glasses like you."

'That's why I liked it so much. I pretended he was me when I read it," Oliver confesses.

"I knew it," I say. "I can't wait to go down there and treat the bookstore like a library."

He laughs. "You're welcome to do that."

"Oh, by the way!" He gets up leaving me curious as I watch him head over to the kitchen, he opens a drawer and retrieves, The Neverending Story. He sets it down on the counter. "I'll leave it here for you to take with you."

"You fixed it!" A huge sense of relief washed over me.

"Good as new."

"But it's your book. I was holding it for you," I say.

"I want you to keep holding it for me," Oliver says softly. "Will you?"

"Yes, but... one condition?"

"What's that?"

"Can you read it to me again? Maybe a chapter or two at time, after work when we have time to hang out like this?"

"Yeah... yeah, sure, Kinsey, I'd love to," his voice is soft. We both know his reading to me, means a lot that was such a big part of our friendship.

We finish up dinner and make our way to the couch, where we sit down next to each other. It's very plush and comfortable. The bookstore stays open late, so we opt to stay up in his apartment but its cozy here too. Oliver dims the lights and hands me a blanket to drape over my lap as we get settled in.

I marvel at the repaired book in his hands. He fixed it, and now here we are, sitting above our childhood fantasy place come to life, about to read his favorite book all over again.

It was never broken beyond repair, and neither are we. It's in a cheesy way a never-ending story, Olly and me.

A warm feeling comes over me as Oliver starts reading. His voice being older and deeper makes the story that much richer as he tells it. It transports us right into it, and the next thing I know, I am lost in that fantasy world.

It's not until his dishwasher makes a buzzing noise indicating the cycle was done that we are pulled back unto the real world.

"We've read four chapters already," Oliver murmurs in surprise.

"Really?" I'm surprised, and as I look up, I glance at the window and see it's gotten dark. "I totally zoned out. Or in, I guess."

"Me too," Oliver chuckles.

I cuddle in closer. He puts his arm around me, and I let my head rest on his shoulder and close my eyes, reveling in the cozy feeling of us.

"Please keep reading."

"Till you tell me stop," he promises.