unexpected love story

the book shop

Sarah pushed open the door to the small used bookstore, the little bell tinkling overhead. She loved coming to this cozy shop, getting delightfully lost amidst the towers of books covering every surface.
As she wandered the narrow aisles, running her fingers along the spines, a broad-shouldered stranger reached up to grab a book from the top shelf right in front of her. Sarah's breath caught in her throat as she looked up into the warmest pair of brown eyes she'd ever seen.
"Excuse me," the man said with an apologetic smile that could melt glaciers.
"No problem at all," Sarah managed to reply, feeling flushed. She gestured vaguely at the shelves. "I was just...browsing."
The handsome stranger glanced at the book in his hand. "Ah, you have great taste. Mario Puzo is a legend." His smile widened and Sarah felt her heart flip in her chest. "I'm James."
"Sarah," she replied, struggling not to get too flustered. Literary cuties were her kryptonite.
As if he could read her mind, James cleared his throat. "Well Sarah, it's quite fortuitous running into a fellow book lover. I don't supposed you'd want to get a cup of coffee sometime and discuss Puzo's masterful characterization?"
Sarah felt herself beaming. "I would love that."
At that cozy bookstore, amidst the scent of old pages and cedar shelves, an incredible love story began to unfold between two kindred literary souls. Sometimes the stars align perfectly.