Page 82 of The Breakup Bookshop

I swallow.

‘Well, that’s an annoyingly tempting offer,’ I say.

‘You’re welcome. I could get you an extra few grand on your salary too. They’ve seen what you’ve done for the bookshop here. I sent them a link to your news interview. This is what I mean, Ava, you can capitalize on your success. You made a splash here, which is great when it’s all new and shiny, but that’s not sustainable. I know you won’t be making anywhere near the salary that’s on the table at Red Letter.’

‘What’s the salary?’ I whisper.

He tells me the figure and I have to fight to stop my eyes from widening. It’s an enormous sum. I think about my poor bank balance and the work still to be done in this flat. The seemingly endless supply of bills and envelopes with overdue stamps Pete pretends not to notice as he hands them over with a sympathetic smile.

‘I’ll do the interview. But I’m not promising anything, Seb.’

‘You can move back into our flat,’ Seb says, as he reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. His touch feels cold, strange, like a wet fish. ‘I’m ready to give this a proper go this time, Ava. No bullshit. It’s you I want; I know that now. We could settle down properly. The ring, the wedding, the honeymoon, whatever you want. We’ll take it all at your pace. You’re in charge.’

It is everything I’d wanted, laid out on a plate in front of me, with perfectly poached eggs on the side. Not a proposal, as such, but a proposal of a proposal.

And things with Rory have taken a turn. I like him, I really like him, but I can’t let him off scot-free. Pardon the pun. Seb’s not the only one who’s lied to me, after all. And there’s the gorgeous Elle. What did Rory say when the former love of his life asked to try and give things another go? Finlay said Rory was always pining after some girl he couldn’t have. Now, he could have her. Maybe I’ve never stood a chance with him.

‘I’ll do the interview and think about it.’

Seb grins. ‘You won’t regret it.’

*

Seb takes charge of the bookshop, urging me to take some time out to prepare for my interview. As I look through my CV and write responses to standard interview questions, I sit in the corner of the bookshop and listen to him chatting with the bookshop customers. Seb isn’t much of a reader, but he is making an effort.

I still haven’t heard a peep from Rory. No messages, no phone calls, this whole time. I’ve been checking by the bins periodically for updates, but there’s nothing.

‘Hi, is Ava here?’ I hear Fiona’s voice ask from the front door.

‘I’m here, Fiona!’ I call from the couch in the corner. ‘Come over!’

‘I thought you might be lying in a pile in the middle of the floor begging for a caffeine hit. You’ve not been in this morning. And who’s that behind the counter?’ She hands me my usual coffee order. God, I love Fiona.

I’m not ready to out Seb to everyone just yet, but I don’t have much choice. All six foot of him is standing behind the till and it’s not like I can hide him away.

‘That’s my ex-boyfriend, Seb,’ I whisper.

Fiona’s hands fly to her mouth, and she looks at him with disgust. Seb, completely oblivious, is busy talking to a customer. ‘He’s got a cheek. Why is he serving in your bookshop? Tell him to sling his hook.’

‘It’s a long story. I will tell you about it, but not just now. I’ve got to get my own head around things first, okay?’

Fiona shakes her head firmly. ‘Don’t go back to him, Ava.’

I swallow the emotions that threaten to rear their ugly head. Hurt. Anger. Embarrassment. But I have to prepare for the interview and weigh everything up. Make an informed choice.

‘Anyway, listen, I don’t just come bearing coffee. I have some news,’ Fiona says, her face lighting up as she speaks. ‘It’s Lillian. I’m in touch with her again.’

‘What?’ I squeal. ‘Oh, Fiona! That’s amazing news! How? Tell me everything!’

Fiona’s face flushes as her grin widens. ‘It’s all down to you, you know. I buried all those feelings in the past, but your breakup bookshop, listening to everyone’s stories and talking about living life with no regrets, led me to seek her out. I found her on Facebook after a bit of digging. I pinged her a private message.’

‘Oh my God, Fiona!’ I squeal. ‘And what did she say?’

‘We chatted back and forth for ages. She’s working as a high school English teacher in Perthshire.’

‘I can’t believe it – this is amazing news. Is she single? Are you going to meet up?’

‘Oh, we’ve not got that far yet. I’m just enjoying being in touch with her again. I’m like a giddy schoolgirl, checking my phone every five minutes to see if she’s messaged.’