Page 152 of Come Back to Me

“I’ll take it. Thank you for your help.” She walks away from me, getting in line.

She shoots, and she scores.

I wonder how manymore recommendations I can make that customers will be interested enough to buy. I have another six hours here, so I hope to rack up more wins.

The line has been non-stop all night.

I haven’t seen the store this busy since this time last year. I ended up recommending twenty-five books, which were all wins. I helped Laura ring up customers, while Willow and the other two employees helped manage the line and assist shoppers.

Willow and I clock out on the tablet in the back. I unlock my locker to collect my belongings, making my way back to the front of the house.

“Hot damn! That was some wicked lightning. I’ll see you guys on Sunday.” She waves to us as she walks out the door.

“Are you okay to close up on your own tonight?” Laura asks.

“Well, Iamthe assistant manager. I think I’m more than capable of doing this on my own.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, that’s right. You’re a big-wig now.” She giggles.

“Not funny, Laur.”

“So, we’re going to be open our usual hours tomorrow through Tuesday. We’re closing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, and we’ll be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday. Black Friday is going to be interesting.”

“I know, and I’m sure it will be.”

“Good night, Violet. I’ll see you on Sunday.”

“Good night. See you Sunday.”

I watch Laura head out of the store, walking closer to the entrance. The rain is coming down hard tonight, and the lightning islighting up the sky.

Dammit, I forgot to put our holiday hours for next week on the door.

I quickly grab the printed-out sign I made and brace myself because I know I’m about to get a natural shower. Running out the door, I tape the sign to the glass and make sure it’s secure. I’m getting soaking wet in the process. The awning isn’t keeping me dry at all.

I sprint back inside and shiver because the A/C and the rain make for a freezing combination.

A magnet pulls me toward the dystopian romance section, and my eyes immediately land on theShatter Meseries by Tahareh Mafi. I flip through the pages of the third book in the series,Ignite Me, and I’m transported back to when I was sixteen years old.

“Hey, are you guys still open?” a deep, masculine voice asks.

I immediately know who the person is just by the sound of his voice. I put back the book I’ve been going through and take a deep breath.

When I turn around, I see him standing there in front of me.

Grayson.

His dark brunette hair is damp from the rain, along with his clothes. He’s wearing a white T-shirt, dark-wash jeans, and a pair of black and white sneakers.

“What the hell are you doing here?” I ask, folding my arms underneath my breasts.

“I took some time to think,” he simply says.

“A few weeks is more than enough time.Some timeis a few days. Did you do all of this on purpose to emotionally destroy me? I get that vanishing from your life six years ago was horrible, but did it mean that you had to do the same thing to me?”

He combs his fingers through his damp hair, inching closer to me. “I’m sorry for how I left things off. You didn’t deservethat, but I needed time to figure out how I feel about everything. You. Us.”

“What are you talking about, Gray?”