Almost Valentine.

Valentine's POV

The air in the bookstore hummed with excitement, as if Cupid himself had sprinkled his magic dust among the towering shelves. Valentine’s Day was just around the corner and Hearts & Pages had transformed into a lovely haven for romantics. The shelves are dressed with red and gold banners. The wall is covered with white and red paper hearts, and each corner has a couple of red balloons.

The sweet aroma of chocolate from the in-store café blended with the faint scent of both old and new books. Couples wandered hand in hand, their arms full of gifts—bouquets, heart-shaped boxes and most prominently, books.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t the classics they reached for—not Emily Brontë’s brooding romances or Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age escapades. No, the spotlight belonged to Kai Ryland, the modern-day Shakespeare whose latest release, Forever in Sunset Cove, had readers everywhere falling head over heels. The book delicately portrays how love can be felt so deep, it breathes life back into dead bones.

The line at the in-store café stretched endlessly, customers clutching steaming cups of lattes in one hand and copies of Kai’s book in the other. But even Marco’s endless supply of caffeine couldn’t keep up with the demand. The last cup had been poured, and to my dismay, so had the final book been sold from Kai’s shelf.

“There’s one more box in the basement, Valentine!” Clara shouted from across the store, her voice somehow carrying over the chatter and the whir of the espresso machine. She stood at the register with the grace of a woman who had mastered multitasking long before I’d hired her two years ago, her hair coming loose from its messy bun as she rang up yet another eager customer.

Valentine. Who would have guessed it? A hopeless romantic named after the day of love. Life could be funny that way. If you asked the kids from my school days, they’d probably say my name sealed my fate—that I was destined to spend my life chasing fairy-tale endings and epic love stories. And honestly? They wouldn’t be wrong.

I sigh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The truth is, I didn’t just believe in love; I lived for it. The kind of love that makes your heart race and your soul feel seen. The love found in handwritten letters and long stares across crowded rooms. And yet, here I am, spending another Valentine’s season… single.

Shaking off the thought, I focused on the task at hand. “On it!” I called back to Clara, weaving my way through the crowded shop. The energy was infectious—shoppers buzzing with anticipation, their arms full of Kai Ryland’s books, as if holding them close might bring his words to life. I couldn’t blame them. His stories had that effect.

With a deep breath, I pushed open the stockroom door and headed for the basement stairs. The thrill of the bustling store faded into the quiet hum of fluorescent lights as I descended.

The basement was dimly lit, the air heavy with the earthy scent of paper and old wood. My eyes quickly landed on the box labeled Kai Ryland - Forever in Sunset Cove. My heart gave a little flutter—not just because of the weight of the box, but because of what it represented. The idea that this bookstore, my bookstore, was hosting Kai’s meet-and-greet tomorrow, felt surreal. It was a dream come true.

I heaved the box into my arms, its weight forcing me to lean back slightly as I made my way upstairs. The bustling energy of the store greeted me as I emerged from the stockroom, weaving through the sea of customers. When I finally reached the Kai Ryland section, I feel a rush of pride seeing the empty shelves where his books had once been displayed. But as I balance the box to open it, a sudden bump from behind sends me staggering.

“Whoa!” I gasp as the box slips from my hands, spilling books like confetti across the floor.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” a voice said, warm and low, laced with genuine concern. I crouched to gather the books, muttering reassurances that it was fine, just fine, when the stranger knelt beside me to help.

“Here, let me—” he began, his hand brushing against mine as he reached for a book. The brief contact sent an unexpected shiver up my arm.

“Thank you.” I said quickly, stacking the books haphazardly, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up my cheeks. I glanced up to meet his gaze and froze.

He was beautiful. There was no other word for it. His eyes, a piercing stormy gray, held mine with an intensity that made the rest of the room blur. He had the kind of face you didn’t forget—a mix of rugged edges and an artist’s soul, like someone who walked out of a Renaissance painting.

I don’t believe in love at first sight. How can I? Love is grand, complex, and layered, far too magnificent to be born in a single moment. And yet, standing there, staring into those eyes, I wondered if maybe, just maybe, it is possible after all.

“Do you work here?” he asked, his voice softening as he handed me another book. “I’m looking for the manager.”

For a second, I forgot how words worked.

“I—I am the manager,” I stammered, struggling to maintain composure. My pulse quickened as I added, “Do you need help with anything?”

He straightened and extended a hand to me. “Kai Ryland. I believe we’re supposed to meet and discuss the details of the meet-and-greet.”

For a moment, I simply stared, unsure if I’d heard him right. Then it hit me like a jolt of lightning. Kai Ryland.

“Oh!” I blurted, shaking his hand quickly, though my pulse raced at the contact. “Mr. Ryland. It’s an honor to meet you. If you’ll follow me, we can discuss everything in my office.”

His lips curved into another smile, and I swore my heart flipped. “Lead the way.”

As I guided him through the shop, I tried to keep my breathing steady, but his presence was magnetic. Every time he spoke, my pulse quickened. And every time I glanced back to check if he was still following, his eyes were already on me.