Monday morning I receive a text from Amelia assuring me that the elevator situation has been fixed and she would like for me to come back to work.

I personally feel that she misses having me around but I doubt she would ever admit to that.

I obviously replied with haste and assured her that I'm more than ready to return to work and not just because I'm craving the store's infamous in-house baked bagels either. Well that and I'm sick of sitting around.

My dad didn't say anything about me getting home late on Friday night which doesn't surprise me because it really wasn't that late. He's come home from being out with his friends way after three in the morning before so me coming home at eleven thirty at night definitely shouldn't be questioned.

Dakota hasn't texted me either. I don't find this unusual because I figured he would be recovering from that party as well as I and having a chill weekend. Just because we're friends that doesn't means we have to speak every day.

As I throw on a pair of comfy Adidas running shorts and a loose baby pink tee, I slide on my Chacos and give myself one last glance in the mirror before taking out my sagging top knot and leaving my hair tumbling down my shoulders.

Monday mornings are the absolute worst and the slowest at the bookstore so I leave my face clear of makeup. I'm too excited to get back to work to care about what I look like. And, lucky for me, my dad is going in late today so he can drop me off and possibly pick me up. If not, I'll just resort to asking Amelia for a ride which isn't unusual.

"Dad." I jog down the stairs, my phone and house keys in the small backpack over my shoulder among other things.

"In here, Lily." I hear his voice coming from the kitchen, as soon as I walk in I see two pieces of toast spring from the toaster.

"I'm ready to go when you are." I sigh, leaning on the counter and I watch him struggle with the hot bread, pulling a butter knife from the drawer.

My dad looks at me with an amused smile. "Put extra effort in today, did you?" His reading glasses sit perched on his nose and my eyes zero in on the newspaper next to him.

I roll my eyes. "Don't talk to me about putting effort into my appearance, dad. Especially when you're one of those old weird people who still read the paper." I wink at him, grabbing a piece of toast from his grasp and earning an annoyed glance.

"You're hilarious, kid." He deadpans, running jam over his remaining slice of bread as I munch on his other happily. "Go ahead and get in the car, I'll be there in a second. And don't drive away without me again." He holds up a wanting finger as I shake my head.

"I forget you once and you never let me live it down." I mumble, grabbing the keys from the counter and taking another chunk from my toast.

Once I'm in the car, I quickly start it up and smile at the familiar sound of the humming engine. The old family Honda Civic is one of the last surviving memories of how our family was when it used to be...well - a family. I guess neither me or my dad could bring ourselves to sell it or exchange it for a new one. We just pretend it doesn't still smell like mom when the wind blows a certain way or that we still have the hummingbird she bought hanging on the rear view mirror.

I settle into my seat just as my father jerks the door open, a hot cup of coffee in his hand and a smile on his face.

"You seem to be in a good mood." I notice, feeling encourage by his positive stature and brightness in his eyes as we pull out of the driveway slowly.

He clears his throat, shrugging. "It's nothing, really."

My eyes narrow at him slightly and I think he can definitely feel me staring because his face immediately slackens to hide his clear excitement. "Dad." I whine, "Just tell me. We both know that you can't keep a secret."

"Yes I can." He defends, looking over at me briefly before focusing on the road once again.

"Dad."

"Okay fine I have to tell you, I can't hold it in any longer." He says slowly, my heart beat speeding up as he prepares himself.

What if he met someone new? What if he met her at work and she's pretty and tall and absolutely horrible. What if he's about to tell me that she's the best thing that's happened to him and then everything will change. Then I'll be miserable and I won't have the heart to tell him that his girlfriend is evil and I don't like her because she inadvertently calls me fat and tries to get me to wear more skimpy clothes and act like she's my best friend just to frame me and turn him against me.

"So..." He begins as my anxiety reaches to the ceiling and beyond, "I didn't want to tell you this because I didn't want to get your - well our hopes up but..." He pauses as he turns on the turn signal and gets distracted.

"Go on." I urge, my stomach swirling as my hand grips phone tightly.

He looks over at me with a large grin before laughing and shaking his head in slight disbelief. "I got a new job."

Relief pours over me and I release a breath a didn't realize I was holding, my hand on my chest. And this is why I can't allow myself to overthink. "Oh." I breathe, "Dad, that's - that's amazing I'm really happy for you. Where is it, what will you be doing?" I ask him, now feeling excitement for my dad. He's needed a change for a while.

I know what I'm hoping he'll say and I think he knows too because his smile widens as we come to a halt in front of Books and Bagels. He puts the car in park and turns to me, my eyes meeting his expectantly and full of hope.

"I did it." He laughs, "They hired me on in a managerial position as an engineer and overseer. I'll be making decisions, putting things into action, and overseeing employees."

Hearing this, my heart soars. I know it doesn't sound super exciting but my dad actually went to school, and did extremely well by the way, for engineering. He never really pursued it after college because, right when he graduated, my mom got pregnant and he had to start work right away. There were no positions available for what he wanted to do so he settled for a job that paid well enough.

It's a story I'm sure we've all heard and seen and I'm aware it's not uncommon for dreams and careers to be placed on the back burner. At the same time though, I'm so proud of my dad for all that he's sacrificed for me and, before, for my mom as well. And this job is a big step in the right direction for him to move up or even possibly do his own thing one day. It's not too late, my dad is still fairly young.

"How much does it pay?" I ask him, holding back my excitement until I see the smirk on his lips.

"Let's just say that you and me are going out to dinner to somewhere ridiculously overpriced as a celebration and you can order anything you want on the menu." He winks as I laugh, throwing my arms around him as I give him a hug.

"Oh my gosh that's great, dad!" I grin like an idiot, feeling so incredibly proud as if he's suddenly the child and I'm the parent fawning over his accomplishments. "I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Lilybug." He pats my back just as I'm pulling away. "Now get to work before Amelia comes after you."

"Okay." I chuckle, opening the door and stepping out. "I'll see you tonight for that dinner?"

My father winks again at me, making me laugh a little. "Tonight at eight. You, me, steaks and mocktails."

"Sounds good." My lips perk into a small smile. "Love you, Dad."

"Love you too, kid." He tells me before driving off, my arm raised in a wave.

As I place my hands on the handle of the bookstore, I hesitate, feeling a sense of de ja vu. I shake it off, stepping inside to the familiar scent of yeast and old mixed with new books.

Right when I see Amelia, apologies fly from my lips on instinct. "I'm so sorry I'm late."

Amelia chuckles, pulling her usual cardigan around her as he pulls her glasses off and closes the arms, stuffing them in her pocket. "Lillian, it's quite alright. I saw you and your father outside talking. It looked to be important, what was all the excitement about?" She asks me curiously, earning an amused smile from me as I step behind the counter, pinning my name tag on.

"My dad got an engineering job and we're celebrating at dinner tonight." I explain, doing my best to hide my true ecstatic emotions I'm feeling right now because I know that Amelia thinks I can be a bit too much at times.

"Huh." She hums, "Sounds like fun."

"Yeah I'm happy about it." I respond lightly before clearing my throat. "So what do you need done right away?" I change the subject.

She taps her chins as she thinks on this, her lips slightly pursed, before she replies, "Well...I'm in the office taking care of some paperwork and I noticed some children come through here a few minutes ago and then left in a hurry so if you could check the children's fiction section, that would be great. I have a sense that they got a little crazy and disorganized back there." She shakes her head in disapproval.

"Yes of course I will." I laugh, "Anything else?"

"Nope. That should be it other than keeping an eye on the register." Amelia shrugs before beginning to shuffle off.

My mind reminds me suddenly of my conversation with Sam on Friday and I quickly stop her, "Wait, Amelia?" She turns around with an expectant expression. "Are we hiring? Because I know this girl and she's a lot like me and she would totally love to work here. She's obsessed with books and she would fit in so well." I ramble with red cheeks, a hopefully smile on my face as I bite my bottom lip.

"You want me to hire her?" She asks me, clarifying.

"Please?"

She sighs, pulling her cardigan tightly around her. "Alright. Tell her to come in for an interview. Let's hope she doesn't read on the clock as well." She gives me a pointed look but I see the tint of humor in her eyes.

"Thank you, Amelia. You don't regret it, I promise." I grin, feeling satisfied with her response.

I quickly pull up Sam's number after I randomly ask Dakota for it with no explanation and call it, the ringing making me feel nervous.

"Hello?" Her voice sounds confused by the unknown number but I'm relieved that she picked up.

"Sam. Hey, it's me." I grin, "I mean, it's Lillian. Sorry." I laugh nervously.

She laughs with me. "Oh hey! What's up?"

I smile, happy that she didn't ask how I got her number or why the heck I'm randomly calling her. "Uh...so I just asked my manager, Amelia, if we were hiring and I told her about you."

"Oh my gosh, really?" Her voice picks up it's pitch and volume, making me chuckle. "What did she say?"

I pause, building anticipation. "She said to tell you to come in for an interview." The words bring me excitement and even more so when she lets out a squeal.

"Seriously? When, today?" She asks quickly.

"Yeah." I inform her. "Come whenever you're ready."

"Okay great. Thank you so much, Lillian. I'll see you soon I guess." She laughs happily before I saw goodbye and she hangs up.

A smile remains on my face the whole time I sort through the disaster in the children's section even though I found three different books from different genres that belong on different floors because I'm just that excited to have a coworker my age that doesn't hate me when I want to talk about anything other than books and old soap operas.

I even manage to stay positive when a man comes in and tries to return a book that isn't even sold here even after he yells at me and walks off angry.

Finally, the door opens and Sam steps through it shyly. I look appreciatively at her cute white romper and brown leather Birkenstocks. She looks around the first floor with wide eyes before they land on me. She quickly approaches the counter. "I can't believe I've never been here before." She whispers.

"You haven't?" I ask her, surprised, to which to shakes her in in reply. "Oh well...you shouldn't tell Amelia that during the interview. When I first applied, I told her that I came here all the time and I practically already knew how to execute their organization system." I snort.

Sam's perfect brows narrow. "You did?"

"No I lied." I whisper. "But look at me now. Plus I'll teach you all you need to know. I'm sure that it's basically a done deal. The interview is simply a formality." I assure her with a kind smile.

Sam looks around once more before sighing. "That's good to hear because I'm insanely nervous."

"Don't be." I wave this off. "Amelia may seem intimidating but she's just too old to deal with bull crap so she's just super honest. She's chill though."

"Okay good to know." Sam leans against the counter as he fingers tap at wood anxiously.

A few minutes later, I've alerted Amelia of Sam's arrival, sent her to the office, and wished her the best of luck before sending her into the lions den.

As I wait at the counter, the door opens again and in steps a very familiar boy with tanned skin and a cheeky smile.

"Well if it isn't Dakota Thornton." I do my best to hide my smile but I don't think it's effective seeing as his smirk widens.

I subtly take in the stubble on his cheeks and chin and slightly ruffled hair. I also notice the wrinkled khaki shorts and baby blue Vans tee. "In a rush this morning?" I ask with a smug expression on my face, leaning against the counter as he approaches me.

His green eyes roll, making me feel even more pleased with my comment. "Winter had to borrow her car so she wanted to drive my Jeep but I said no way and then drove her here myself instead." He shrugs, shoving his hands in his pockets as he leans his hip against the counter casually.

I feel a small tug in my stomach at his words. "You mean you won't trust your own sister to drive the Jeep yet you'll let me?" I can't help but feel a little bit special when his brows furrow as if he hasn't even considered this until now.

"Well..." He begins with a sigh, turning swiftly as he leans forward on his forearms on the top of the counter with a calm expression. Meanwhile, I back up slightly as soon as his cologne engulfs me and I find it difficult to concentrate on what he's saying. "I guess it might be because she's not a pretty blue eyed brunette with a constellation of little freckles across her nose." He smiles lightly, making my breath stop a little as I try my best to give him a small smile instead of the huge grin I'm feeling.

"I don't have freckles." I mumble with a small laugh. "But nice try."

Dakota chuckles shaking his head. "Lillian, yes you do. Right..." His large hand comes up, his fingers tucking just under my ear as his thumb brushing along the bridge of my nose and under my eyes. "Here." He says softly, his green eyes meeting mine confidently.

In them I see many things that he seems to wear on his sleeve without a single hitch. I see a boy who finds me beautiful and intriguing and also a boy who finds himself all too charming. I also see a side of him that's soft and quiet. A side of him that's slow and easy. Gentle and shy. But most of all I see that he knows what he wants and he's willing to make it known.

And that's what scares me.