Bookstore & Chill

Zora

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If you ask my mom, she would tell you that I live on the edge. I take risks that could possibly fuck me up in the beginning and end. But this particular risk was worth it all. I packed up my things and moved to the small town of Bradwood, just to work for their local magazine. This town was voted the best small town in South Carolina for consecutively two decades. That little vote paid my salary and funded the town with so much architectural development it made it easy to move to. I was nervous about it looking too country but it looks more like a city than a small town.

I lived in what locals refer to as, 'Midtown'. We were literally smack dab in the middle of town. Normally this type of environment would be in the Downtown area of bigger cities.  I lived just above a few local, mostly black-owned businesses. I loved every bit of it. I had free access to all of the restaurants downstairs, which didn't help my weight control. The bookstore was definitely my escape and my eye candy. The owner is this fine chocolate specimen who also happens to be my neighbor. On my way to work, I made sure to always peek inside to see him in his morning glory. He was always up at the crack of dawn. The walls to our apartments were so thin that I literally could him shuffling around every morning. It was a blessing and a curse.

My morning routine consisted of checking E-mails, scrolling through Instagram and Twitter, and listening to my favorite podcast. It was hosted by two Millennial women who lived in the Closest city to me. They constantly put me on to new wine and piping hot drama every week. Whatever I didn't get from Social Media, I definitely got from them. 

I rolled out of bed to finally get myself together. This was a struggle every day. I listened and chimed into my podcast as the girls could hear me. I filed through my work clothes finally deciding on something before I wasted too much more time. Once dressed in a chiffon Ivory blouse, high waist flower print trousers, and a pair of black pumps I wore daily, I hurried out of my apartment, down the stairs, and out to the busy atmosphere of Bradwood. I didn't live far from my office, so I walked most days when I didn't feel like spoiling myself. 

My walk quickened as I joined the busy foot traffic onto Main street. I slowed down as I came upon 'Brown Worm Books'. I peeked in and saw him. He was just as handsome as he was yesterday. He wore a blue cashmere sweater, jeans that hung on his waist just right, and a pair of peanut butter brown boots. The trees were turning into warm yellows and bright oranges, the breeze turned into a steady and chilly wind in the morning, but a little warmer throughout the day and back to chilly at night. My favorite season and the perfect weather for him to be looking this damn good. Even from standing on the sidewalk and looking through his tall storefront windows, I could see the deliciousness he was working with. I caught myself staring, let alone standing still in front of his door. I went ahead and opened it and stepped into the bookstore, quickly deciding to buy my coffee and breakfast from him instead of Starbucks this morning. 

The smell of mahogany wood, leather, and coffee hit my nose. I could never get tired of that scent. He was busy at the register now, talking to an older woman I recognized. I hurried over to the small coffee cart he had tucked away into a corner. The older man that ran it was simply an older version of him. "Hi, Mr. Stewart." I smiled. For Mr. Stewart to be battling cancer, he looked damn good. "Hey baby, how are you doing?" He smiled as he grabbed a paper coffee cup and filled it with coffee. "I'm a little tired, I needed a cup of your delicious coffee this morning so I can make it through the day." He grinned, placing my two creams and six sugars into the cup before handing it to me. He knew my order too well. "I have some strawberry and chocolate muffins today." I grinned. "You know I love your muffins, I'll take one." He smiled, flashing his dimples and cute gap. I loved this man, he reminded me so much of my father. I think I told him more about my personal business than I shared with my parents. I accepted one of his sweet hugs and well wishes as he always gave and hurried over to the register to check out his son, I mean to get checked out by his son. Either way, we both checking for each other.