Lennon Miller and Jack Hughes were once inseparable. Being born on the same day, in the same hospital to moms who were best friends would do that to two people.
Every memory Lennon had as a child consisted of the brunette boy at her side. He was he...
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"I've never been so loved. He beats all I've ever seen. And, mama, he's crazy. He's crazy over me."
~*~*~
*TWO YEARS LATER*
"Where are we going?" I ask as Jack leads me down a relatively empty street. He told me he had a surprise for me and I have no clue what it could be.
Soon enough we stop in front of the cutest little brick building. I can see from the outside that it's empty except for rows and rows of empty shelves lining the walls and a few set sporadically around the middle.
My eyebrows knit together in confusion and Jack steps backwards off the curb and motions for me to follow. I take his hand and move to stand next to him, as soon as my feet hit the pavement my breath is snatched from my lungs.
In the most beautiful loopy handwriting that I immediately recognize as Jack's, the words 'July Above' lay against a light green background. A lump forms in my throat as I look from him and the sign. He's got a hesitant look on his face, almost like he's waiting for me to freak out.
"What is this?" The words come out shaky.
"Surprise baby, I bought you that bookstore."
My knees give out on me and I crash to the ground. Tears fall from my eyes. I remember telling Jack a long time ago about the idea of bringing another bookstore to New Jersey so that I wouldn't have to keep going back and forth from my other store in Oregon.
It was just a random thought and it never occurred to me that he paid attention enough to actually go out and buy the store. The simple fact that he remembered is beyond words.
Jack scoops me off the ground and into his arms. "Don't cry. This is supposed to be a good thing. I know I didn't ask but I thought this would mean that you could move in with me permanently, not just because of a contract. It's a piece of your home and everything you have worked so hard to build right here."
"Oh god I'm not mad at all." I choke out. "This is just so unexpected. Can we go inside?"
He smiles down at me before wiping a thumb across my cheek. I must look like a mess. "Of course we can, let's go check it out."
I wrap my hand into his and watch with bated breath as he turns the key in the lock and pushes the door open gently. We step inside and the familiar smell of old books hits me. This must have been a book store previously. I start to bounce on my feet. I can't contain my excitement as Jack flicks on the lights.
