The Book Store Series, Part 5

If you missed any:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

______________________________

PART 5:

Time flew; busy days at the office followed by weekends at the bookstore. Milo and I got to know each other and found we had a lot in common including books, movies, and food. Sophie was getting to know Vin, and all four of us even went out for pizza one night. We had turned into a group of friends who genuinely enjoyed spending time together. Although only a matter of weeks had passed, it felt like we had known each other for years.

One Saturday, Sophie and I were hanging out at the bookstore. Since it was a slow day, the guys were sitting around with us on the couches we sat on near the registers. We were talking and laughing, enjoying another afternoon of good company. Sophie and Vin snuggled up next to each other, talking quietly, so Milo and I decided to walk to the coffee cart to get some cocoa.

“So my dad is coming in a few days. He’s been so busy we didn’t even get to see him for Christmas. It’s been months.”

“Will we get a chance to meet him?” I was interested in this man who dedicated his life to his sons and his business.

“Absolutely. Dad’s curious to see who these two women are that Vin and I have been spending all our time with.” He smiled as we ordered our cocoa.

“We are excited to meet him too.” I sipped on my cocoa and we headed back to the cozy couches with Vin and Sophie.

*-*-*-*-*-*-*

Sophie and I walked to the Italian restaurant where we had all agreed to meet. Our route brought us by the bookstore and we were surprised to see all the lights off and a sign in the door: “Closed for Family Celebration.”

“Look, Lily!” She pointed to the door. “They closed the shop for us. That’s so awesome.”

“We are so harrassing them for this!” I picked up the pace, shivering in the January frost.

We turned the corner past the bookstore and, dodging the giant clusters of soft snowflakes, met Milo at the door to the restaurant. He walked us to the table they had reserved. I knew Mr. Trussman as soon as I saw him stand from his seat. He was exactly how I had imagined based on the description Milo had provided over the last few weeks. He was tall and wearing a bright blue suit with matching fedora on his head and matching Oxfords on his feet. You could see a peek of curly salt and pepper hair sticking out from under the edges of his hat. A teal bowtie completed the ensemble, and he took off his hat and held it to his chest before he bowed deeply as Sophie and I reached our seats opposite Vin and Milo.

“Lily, I presume?” He took my hand and kissed the back of it, and I immediately fell in love with this sweet eccentric man. “A beautiful flower in this wretched weather.” He turned to Sophie. “And you. You must be Sophie, the one my Vincent is so smitten with.” She practically old-school swooned when he took her hand and kissed it as well.

We sat and ordered, then started to get to know Mr. Trussman.

“Please, call me Theo, ladies. No need to be so formal.” He grinned. In fact, he grinned for the entire meal and kept looking between the four of us.

“Well, Theo, we find your sons to be excellent company,” Sophie smiled at Vin, who countered with a goofy grin.

“Yes we do,” I nodded in agreement.

“Well, I am glad to know that I have raised a pair of gentlemen. I worried about them coming to this rough and tough city, I thought surely it would harden them a bit. It does not seem to have though, and for that I am grateful.”

We continued to eat with no awkward silences or uncomfortable conversations. In a quiet moment of us all enjoying our meals, I looked around. This felt like family. Sophie, the guys, a father figure in Theo; it all seemed to fit perfectly. The rest of the night went off without a hitch, and we all went back to the bookstore for coffee-or cocoa-and more conversation.

Milo unlocked the doors and we all went in. Vin lit one of the bigger fire pits on the first floor while Theo and I went to the coffee cart to get some drinks. He graciously held out his arm for me to steady myself as we ascended the staircase.

“So Theo, how long are you here for?”

“I had planned on staying for two months, but I may be convinced to extend my journey if you two lovely ladies keep my company while I am here.”

I felt my cheeks warm. “Well, I don’t think that will be a problem.”

“Well, my dear girl, I have quickly become very fond of you as well. And my son seems to be quite fond of you, too. He speaks of you often, and very kindly. I am pleased that he has found a friend, and that he has found it in you has made it all the more wonderful.” He looked at me with a twinkle in his eye.

We had reached the cart and Theo made the drinks. We carried them down the stairs and after we handed them out, we all sat comfortably around the fire pit; Vin and Sophie snuggled together on one couch, Milo and I cozy on another and Theo in a big recliner.

There we sat until nearly midnight, talking and laughing, spending time with people we were swiftly growing close to.

--------------------------------------------------
Move on to Part 6!

Thanks for stopping by!