Page 4 of Seasons of Love
"So it's like a big philanthropic book exchange," I said.
Ben grinned. "Precisely."
As we approached the middle of the square, I saw piles of boxes filled with books ready to be displayed on the rows of tables that were already set up under the shade of the gazebo.
It was a warm summer day without a hint of a breeze. Beads of sweat ran down my forehead and I felt them on the small of my back too, but I felt better and more useful than I had in a long time.
"Oh gosh, I didn't mean to put you to work before you even had a chance to say good morning," Ben said, wiping his face with the back of his hand. "Especially not in this heat. We're always lucky with the weather, but this year is definitely warmer. It's a good thing Indy is setting up a stand with cool drinks."
"It's my pleasure to help. You said books and charity in one sentence. If that's not right up my alley, I don't know what is," I said as we walked back to Bookmarked. "Sounds like I picked the right time to visit. Can I help out in any way? Other than helping you carry the rest of the boxes, of course."
We were back inside the store. Ben gave me an assessing gaze that I tried to ignore by bending down to pick up another box.
"Aiden, don't get me wrong, because it's always great to see you, but does anyone know you're here?"
I put the box down and sat on it.
My best friend, Wren, had moved back home to Chester Falls from San Diego eighteen months ago. Since then, I'd visited the small town a number of times and had come to know his extended group of friends, including Ben and his husband, Tristan.
They were the reason I'd come straight to Bookmarked, rather than the store next door, Fabulize, which happened to belong to Wren's fiancé, Tom.
"I...um..." I let out a tired breath, unsure of how much to say.
"For an author, you are strangely out of words," Ben said. He crouched down next to me. While his tone carried a hint of amusement, I could tell he was genuinely concerned, or maybe just curious.
Everyone was used to seeing Aiden, the successful author who had his shit together.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
"I was wondering if Tristan knows anyone who might have an apartment to rent short-term."
Tristan was an interior designer and had moved here from Boston a couple of years ago. I’d heard enough stories from their group of friends to know Tristan worked with a lot of landlords in the local area.
Ben's eyes bugged out. "You want to move here? But how about Rich—"
I shook my head. That was something I really did not want to talk about right now. Outside, the perfect day awaited us, and I was so fucking tired from my own life, I really needed to work on something positive and fun for a change.
"I'm just working on a new book, that's all, and I could do with a change of scenery while I do it."
Ben nodded and stood up, grabbing his phone from the desk.
"Tristan is with a client, but I sent him a message. Do you have anywhere to stay tonight?" he asked.
"I checked a local hotel, and they have plenty of vacancies if I can't get a place."
"You know you can stay with us, right? The couch is quite comfortable. Let's not even mention that Wren and Tom might be upset if they know you're in a hotel and not staying with them."
Yes, I knew that, which was why I wanted to find a place to stay first. Because as much as I loved the generosity of my friends, the last thing I wanted was to be in close proximity to a loved-up couple.
So much for being a romance author. These days I struggled with even the concept of love.
"I'll cross that bridge when the time comes." I stood up. "Should we get back to work?"
Ben squeezed my shoulder and picked up the box next to me.
"That's it," Ben said a few trips later as we stood under the blissful shade of the gazebo. "Each box has a genre label that matches the signs on the table. All you need to do is stack the books neatly so people can read the titles on the spine."
"Got it, boss."
