The gentle chime of the front doorbell drifted through the quiet bookstore, pulling Benjamin from his afternoon routine. He stayed put in the back, figuring it was probably someone popping in to ask for directions or maybe the restroom, but after a few moments of silence, his curiosity got the better of him.
When he rounded the corner from the backroom, his eyes settled on a figure with her back to him, scanning the new releases. Her shoulder-length curls cascaded over a jean jacket that hugged her frame just right, and below it, a simple black dress showed off warm, sun-kissed legs that ended in sturdy black boots. The whole look was effortlessly stylish, like something out of a fall fashion shoot. Not the usual small-town tourist.
Next to her, a small corgi sat poised, eyes locked onto him. As he took a step forward, the dog trotted over with a friendly wag, tail swishing as though the two of them were old friends. Benjamin crouched down, extending his hand. “Well, aren’t you a cutie,” he murmured, scratching the dog’s ears and chuckling as it leaned happily into his touch. “What brings you to town, huh?” he whispered to the pup, glancing up with a grin that softened as he took in the scene.
There was something different about her, something that seemed both polished and down-to-earth. She wasn’t the pumpkin-patch, cider-sipping type who came to Chestnut Lane each fall. He wondered what had brought her here—this person who looked like she’d fit perfectly in a bustling city rather than in the sleepy charm of Chestnut Lane.
His thoughts were interrupted when the corgi let out a playful yip, drawing her attention. She turned, and he found himself looking into a pair of warm, curious eyes that sparked with a hint of surprise.
“Hi there,” she said, her voice light but confident, like they’d just stumbled into each other in a movie.
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Benjamin straightened, feeling an unexpected flutter in his chest. “Hi,” he replied, flashing her a crooked smile. “I take it this little one belongs to you?”
She smiled, looking down at the corgi with a fondness that softened her whole expression. “This is Maple,” she said, giving the dog’s head a gentle pat. “My partner in crime, road-trip buddy, and emotional support—all rolled into one.”
“Maple’s got good taste in bookstores,” he said, watching as the dog looked between them like a little matchmaker. “I haven’t seen you around before, though. Are you new here?”
“I am, actually,” she replied, her tone tinged with excitement. “I just got here a couple of days ago. Taking a break from…well, from life, I guess.” She cast a look around the store, her gaze lingering on the high shelves and cozy reading nooks. “I found this place, and it’s honestly the coziest bookstore I’ve ever been in.”
Her words caught him off guard, a pleasant warmth filling his chest. After his grandparents passed, he’d poured everything into this place, keeping it true to their legacy but adding his own touches. Having someone, especially someone like her, notice that care felt unexpectedly rewarding.
“Well, welcome to Chestnut Lane and welcome to Leaf & Lore,” he said, his voice softening with sincerity. “I’m Benjamin. I run the place now. My grandparents opened it, but they passed it on to me. I’m just trying to do them proud, keep the charm alive.”
She extended her hand with a warm smile that made his heart skip a beat. “Nice to meet you, Benjamin. I’m Layla. And from what I can see, they left it in very good hands.”
He took her hand, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade into the background. Her grip was warm, grounding him in a way that felt strangely familiar, like they were meant to meet here, in this quiet, cozy bookstore. They let go, but the spark lingered in the air between them.
Clearing his throat, he gestured to the bookshelves. “So… if you need any recommendations, or even just a quiet spot to browse, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks, I’ll definitely take you up on that,” she replied, her eyes dancing with amusement. She turned back to the shelves, and as she started browsing, he found himself watching her, curiosity sparking into something more.
As he headed back toward the counter, he couldn’t shake the thought that maybe this stranger in his little bookstore was going to change something in his life. For the first time in a long while, Benjamin felt a thrill of excitement stirring within him, and he had a feeling it was only the beginning.