Saviour from the Past

Chapter 8

Jess looked around their store, it was looking like his nerves had been unfounded. They had a good turn out and so far it seemed to be going well. The few authors and poets that they had organized to do readings seemed to be going down well. He was looking forward to a well earned drink when the night was over. As he was walking over to the drinks table to check the supplies he was distracted by the ringing of the bell over the door.

"Well, isn't this a day of surprises?" he said, startling Rory who had just walked in the door. Yes he had invited her but he was shocked to see her here, looking like she was alone.

"I didn't RSVP. Sorry." she said sheepishly, as she gave him a one armed hug in greeting.

"Ah, this isn't an RSVP type thing. Showing up's cool."

"Good thing. So this is Truncheon Books?" Rory asked, unnecessarily, as she looked around the store taking in the crowd and the homely interior.

"Yeah. This is Truncheon." Jess replied, almost shyly.

"I like it. It makes me feel like I instantly want to create something. Give me a pen. Give me a brush." Rory said with a bright smile on her face, she was genuinely proud of her friend.

"So, are you here alone?" Jess asked, with a chuckle at her antics.

"I guess."

"Cool...Come on." he said, leading her in the direction of his business partners.

"All I'm saying is, control your poet." Chris was saying as they approached them.

"So suddenly he's my poet?" Matthew retorted harshly.

"He changed up on us. He wasn't supposed to premiere new material tonight." Jess added, jumping into the conversation as Rory and he approached the guys.

"It wasn't bad," Matthew said defensively.

"It was rambling."

"It was a little rambling." Matthew admitted.

"Hey guys, I'd like you to meet Rory. Rory these two are Chris and Matthew. They are my partners here." Jess said, making the necessary introductions.

"Nice to meet you guys, great place you have here," Rory stated as she gave them a wave in greeting.

"Nice to meet you too. Where do you know this guy from?" Matthew asked, looking Rory up and down curiously.

"I knew him in High School, his Uncle is actually engaged to my Mom."

"Hey, we're hitting that bar that we're not going to call "Cedar Bar Redux." Are you coming?" Chris asked, looking at the twosome.

"Yeah, maybe. You know, go on ahead. We'll catch up." Jess responded for the two of them, as he quickly glanced in Rory's direction. She had taken the opportunity to wander away and had picked up a copy of his book.

"You know, you don't have to read it again," he said, sitting down across from her.

"I know I don't."

"God, there are so many things I would change in it."

"Like what?" Rory asked, her internship having given her a fresh perspective and made her more curious about his response.

"I'd keep the back cover. Everything else goes." he answered flippantly.

"You know why I love your book?"

"Why?"

"It doesn't remind me of anything. It's not a rip-off. It's just you," she answered, biting her bottom lip, unsure if she should have said that.