POV: Theo Sinclair
The sun was just beginning to set as I leaned against the counter in Chapters & Brews, staring at the notes spread out in front of me. Customers trickled in and out, the faint chime of the door blending with the background hum of conversations. Normally, this was my favorite time of day—when the café felt alive but not overwhelming. But today, I couldn't focus.
Evelyn's voice lingered in my mind, sharp and determined. The way she'd stood her ground during our last meeting had been... impressive, to say the least. I'd underestimated her. She wasn't just passionate about the library; she was relentless in her dedication.
"Earth to Theo," Mia said, snapping her fingers in front of my face.
I blinked, realizing she'd been talking to me. "Sorry, what?"
"I said your phone's been buzzing like crazy," Mia said, nodding toward the device on the counter. "Family drama again?"
I sighed, glancing at the screen. Sure enough, there were three missed calls from my mother and a text from my father.
Father: We need to discuss your responsibilities. Call me back.
"Let me guess," Mia said, her tone dry. "They want you to come home and save the family business."
I gave her a look. "That's not fair."
She shrugged, unbothered. "You know I'm right."
She wasn't wrong. My parents had been pressuring me for months to leave the café behind and rejoin the family company—a multi-million-dollar trading empire that had been passed down through generations. But the thought of sitting in a sterile office, wearing suits that cost more than most people's rent, made my stomach turn.
"This place is home now," I said, gesturing to the café around us. "I'm not leaving it."
Mia nodded, her expression softening. "Good. Because Willow Creek wouldn't be the same without Chapters & Brews."
I smiled, grateful for her support.
Later that evening, I found myself at the library, helping Evelyn set up for the next phase of our showcase planning. The contrast between the café's vibrant energy and the library's quiet stillness was striking, but oddly comforting.
"Thanks for coming," Evelyn said as I walked in, her voice tinged with hesitation. "I wasn't sure if you'd have time."
"Of course," I said, setting my bag down. "Wouldn't miss it."
She gave me a small, almost shy smile before turning back to the table where her notebook and laptop were already set up.
"So, what's on the agenda?" I asked, pulling out a chair.
Evelyn flipped to a fresh page in her notebook. "I thought we could finalize the promotional materials tonight. We need to figure out how to market this event to different age groups."
"Great," I said, leaning forward. "Let's start with the posters. Got any designs in mind?"
Evelyn hesitated, her pen tapping against the edge of the notebook. "I have a few ideas, but... I'm not sure they're eye-catching enough. Marketing isn't exactly my forte."
"Good thing it's mine," I said with a grin.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, but there was a hint of amusement in her expression. "Fine. Impress me."
Over the next hour, we brainstormed ideas, bouncing concepts back and forth. Evelyn's focus was on creating something elegant and timeless, while I pushed for a more vibrant, modern approach.
"What about adding some bold colors?" I suggested. "Something that'll grab attention."
"Bold colors might overwhelm the design," she countered, her tone thoughtful. "It needs to be inviting, not jarring."
"Compromise?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Evelyn sighed but nodded. "Compromise."
As we worked, I found myself watching her more closely. She was so meticulous, so deliberate in everything she did. It was fascinating—and, if I was being honest, a little intimidating.
"You're good at this," I said suddenly.
Evelyn looked up, surprised. "At what?"
"Everything," I said, gesturing to the organized chaos of her workspace. "You're like a one-woman army."
Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she shrugged. "It's just what needs to be done."
"No, it's more than that," I said, leaning forward. "You care. A lot. And it shows."
She glanced down, her expression softening. "The library means everything to me. It's more than just a building—it's a part of this town's heart. I can't let it fade away."
Her words hit something deep in me, stirring an unexpected pang of guilt. I thought of my parents, of the responsibilities I'd walked away from, and wondered if I'd made the right choice.
By the time we wrapped up, the promotional materials were nearly complete. Evelyn's shoulders visibly relaxed as she closed her notebook, a small smile playing at her lips.
"This might actually work," she said quietly.
"Told you," I said, standing and stretching. "We make a good team."
She shot me a skeptical look. "Don't let it go to your head."
"Too late," I said, grinning.
Evelyn rolled her eyes but didn't argue, and something about that felt like a victory.
"See you at the next meeting, librarian," I called as I headed toward the door.
"Don't be late," she said, her voice carrying a teasing edge that surprised me.
Later that night, back at the café, I sat alone in the dimly lit space, staring at my phone. The missed calls and texts from my parents still sat unanswered, a constant reminder of the life I'd left behind.
For years, I'd convinced myself that walking away was the right decision, that building something of my own was worth the sacrifice. But now, watching Evelyn fight so fiercely for what mattered to her, I couldn't help but wonder if I'd been wrong.