Just Sell Me The Damn Book

Chapter Nine

There was less work and more play with each passing day at the bookstore. At some point, Nash began having long conversations with Ace that distracted him. Lunch breaks turn into them not returning to the bookstore until closing time. Things were becoming fun- F is for friends who do stuff together type of F.U.N except the goal wasn't friendship but a romantic relationship.

Nash could see Ace almost nearing the finish line of his goal. He didn't know whether he was excited or nervous about it. Ace invaded his mind. Nash thought about him before bed, eagerly awaiting Ace's texts and calls, each touch electric. It was like a disease.

Nash couldn't believe he was falling in love. He remembered when he swore up and down that they wouldn't be friends. While Nash accepted his feelings with each passing day, he also acknowledged the nervousness that accompanied it. Nash was thankful that Ace, despite their lack of experience, took the initiative. His knowledge and insight lay within the fictional realm. There was a time when he thought that people were out here putting their mouths on each other, sharing a bed, and being naked together. If he wanted a relationship, the things he had to do would be endless. There was nothing wrong with being single. It reduces heartbreak, and sometimes, it's just better that way- being single. But something about the sweetness that invaded his heart whenever he read about something hard to find in reality made Nash want that experience. Someone to sweep him off his feet and say honey-coated words; Nash didn't know where or if someone like that existed.

What he was experiencing with Ace was different from his imagination running wild with fictitious situations. Maybe Nash needed to take his head out of the books. But what would he do without them? The reality was well-reality while dreams were fun.

Ace was a great guy. He was winning Nash over, so obviously, he was doing something right. The muttering of voices caught Nash's attention as he entered the bookstore. The space was a daily occupant of Nash and Ace, with occasional customers on the hunt for books as Nash did. He came to know that The Book Nook had a majority of classic and rare finds. His immediate thought was a customer paid an early visit. Greeted him was a short-haired girl with dark brown eyes and freckles littering her cheeks. She wore a white crop top with blue sleeves and jeans, their interaction too close for comfort and a customer.

"Morning," Ace greeted him, going in for a hug. Nash stopped him. Was this jealousy he was feeling? Am I jealous? He was overthinking the situation. Nash didn't know who she was, but seeing them closely engaging in conversation garnered a reaction, right?

"Morning," Nash said dryly.

"I told you we'd be meeting soon," The girl said, leaving Nash puzzled. She showcased the small cactus design on her shirt. "Moonbeancactus, the stalker, matchmaker, and avid reader of explicit material with a straight face." Nash was surprised. He hadn't spoken with Moonbeancactus after they sent him the video. Being caught up in his feelings with Ace, Nash forgot about her. "I'm sad that you ghosted me."

"That's Amy, a friend of mine," Aced added. "I just learned that she's Moonbeancactus."

"How does it feel meeting the girl behind the screen?" Amy asked. "I've been looking forward to meeting you for a long time."

"What are the chances that you'd be standing in front of me like this?" Nash replied. "I'm lost for words."

Not once in his years of being a member of the Book Nerds website did Nash think he would meet a fellow user. And that user happens to be Ace's friend. The same Ace who thought leaving a poor first impression in the name of being remembered by a guy he liked, whom Nash was meeting for the first time, coincidentally worked at the bookstore where Amy, Ace's friend from the Book Nerd Forum suggested he find a copy of his favorite book.