Chapter 2: Chapter 2
After their weird encounter at Grayson's store, he took Jessie to a charming restaurant named "The Post," located just a few minutes away from his shop on Los Altos Street. The establishment was renowned for its exquisite meals, and they eagerly indulged in their chosen dishes. Grayson opted for the delectable Creme Brulee French Toast, while Jessie relished the famous Crispy Chicken sandwich. As they savored their meals, Grayson felt compelled to open up about himself, things he had hidden among people.
"You know, Jessie," he began, pausing to sip his favorite wine, a 1990 Harlan Estate from Napa Valley, "when I was offered the chance to write a novel, I was unsure about diving into such a massive project. A short story is one thing, but a novel? That's like at least three hundred pages."
Jessie chuckled, understanding the weight of such a task. "Sometimes even more," she added, taking a bite of her meal.
Grayson nodded in agreement. "Exactly. And to make matters worse, they offered me real money, so I felt obligated to deliver something," he said, concluding with a frown.
Curious, Jessie asked, "What did you do then?" Her eyes sparkled with anticipation, eager to hear his response.
Grayson's face brightened, and he replied, "I took the money, had a year-long panic attack, and then wrote a book that was... terrible."
Jessie burst into laughter, finding it hard to contain herself. "Come on, it couldn't have been that bad," she giggled.
"Oh, believe me, it was awful. It was as bad as a half-pile of sandwiches. So dreadful that they wouldn't even publish it," Grayson admitted, chuckling with her.
Feeling genuinely sorry for him, Jessie tried to console him, but Grayson shrugged it off with a positive outlook. "Nah, don't be sorry. At least I got to keep the advance," he said, his face brightening again.
A brief awkward silence settled between them as they finished their meals, but Jessie swiftly broke it, asking, "Do you still write?"
Grayson sighed, his expression tinged with sadness. "No, not really. All of that happened when my mom passed away, and I lost my inspiration."
Empathizing with his experience, Jessie opened up about her past. "I lost both my parents when I was a kid, too. I felt so alone that I gave up on everyone and everything. But then I realized that giving up isn't the solution," she shared, her eyes filled with the weight of her memories.
Not wanting the mood to turn too somber, Grayson shifted the conversation. "Anyway, managing the bookstore now takes up most of my time," he said sarcastically, though Jessie didn't catch it.
Having finished her meal, Jessie picked up her wine glass and took a sip, mirroring Grayson's action. "It must be lovely, though, being surrounded by books all day," she remarked.
Grayson couldn't help but smile, appreciating the genuine interest she showed. "Oh yes, it's great," he replied more sincerely.
Recalling one of her cherished memories, Jessie shared it with Grayson. "After my parents passed, my brother and I moved from one foster family to another. We once lived with a couple who had an impressive collection of novels. One night, I started reading 'Jane Eyre,' and I instantly connected with the character going through similar experiences as me. I didn't want the story to end; I read it repeatedly. Since then, I've had a deep love for books," she said, her voice filled with nostalgia.
"Jane Eyre, huh?" Grayson remarked with an intrigued look.
"Yes," Jessie replied, meeting his gaze curiously.
"Can I show you something?" Grayson suddenly asked, standing up and motioning for her to follow him.
Intrigued, Jessie grabbed her bag and followed Grayson outside. The night had fallen, and the street lights illuminated their path. Grayson led Jessie back to his bookstore, and she wondered what he wanted to show her.
Opening the store, Grayson switched on the lights and placed the keys on the desk. He led her to a locked glass display case, and from a hidden compartment, he took out a minor key, carefully unlocking the glass. Inside, he delicately pulled out a copy of "Jane Eyre" and handed it to Jessie. She couldn't believe her eyes; it was a first edition.
"Oh my gosh, is this a first edition?" Jessie asked, her voice filled with astonishment.
"Yup," Grayson nodded proudly, "and here's the best part." He opened the book, guiding Jessie's gaze to the bottom left corner, where she saw a signature by Charlotte Bronte.
Jessie's jaw dropped, and she looked at Grayson with awe. "Is this real?" she asked, still in disbelief.
"Hell sure it is," Grayson replied with a grin.
Unable to contain her excitement, Jessie held the book close to her heart. The same book she had cherished as a teenager was now before her, and it held a precious signature by the author herself. Memories flooded her mind as she flipped through the pages, reliving moments from her past.
Overwhelmed by emotion, she closed the book and placed it on the counter. "How can I ever thank you?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with affection.
At that moment, Jessie's eyes conveyed a longing for a kiss, and Grayson sensed the unspoken desire. Without hesitation, he leaned in, his senses enveloped by the sweet fragrance of her Napa Valley wine. Their lips met, and in that kiss, the world seemed to spin around them. Jessie clung to him, feeling an intensity she had never experienced before. Their connection felt profound as if they were meant to find each other at that very moment.
As they pulled away, their eyes met, and both knew that something extraordinary had just transpired between them. A literary connection had brought them together, weaving their hearts into a tale of love and destiny.
As they pulled away, their eyes met, and both knew that something extraordinary had just transpired between them. A literary connection had brought them together, weaving their hearts into a tale of love and destiny.
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