Under the Spotlight

The bell above the door jingled once more; I didn't even need to glance up to recognize that it was Caleb. I had anticipated his arrival-well, perhaps not in a straightforward manner, but a part of

tion. The reality that I couldn't cease thinking about it-about him-did not astonish me. He was famous; he was Caleb Montgomery. However, what kept resonating within me was the conversation, particularly the way he regarded me-a

lutter in my chest. "Back for more, I presume?" He cast a glance at the book in his grip, his fingers gliding over the cover in a seemingly absentminded manner. "Yeah, I actually finished it last night," he remarked, raising his gaze to meet mine, his eyes radiating warmth. "It was... different, but in a good way." I arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really? I didn't anticipate you would complete it so swiftly." He chuckled, app

lmost like peering into another person's existence: their thoughts, their aspirations. It felt authentic." I smiled, experiencing a surge of pride. Not because I had suggested the book, but because he had discovered something genuine within its pages. Something that resonated with him on a level far deeper than the shallow realm of celebrity and

of the books as I scanned them. The entire interaction felt oddly intimate. It wasn't just a celebrity entering my store-it was Caleb, asking for a piece of my world (something I could share with him). "Here," I said, pulling a worn copy of a book from the shelf. It was a collection of essays by a writer I admired-one that I knew wa

d he was not anticipating anything in return from me. I cleared my throat, attempting to dispel the sudden surge of vulnerability that washed over me. "I'm glad you liked the first one," I remarked, my voice almost inaudibly soft, even to my own ears. He focused on me then-really focused-and for an instant, the outside world of the bookstore seemed to dissolve. It was just the two of us, standing in the heart of my small hav

ain about how to respond; however, I was appreciative of the compliment. "I'm just trying to make it work. It's been quite a bit of effort, you know? But it's worth it." He nodded, his gaze softening as he observed me. "I can tell. You've created something here th

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Noah a playful glare, feeling a sense of relief from the interruption; yet, I was also somewhat exasperated that the moment had eluded me. Caleb, with a grin, turned to Noah, clearly entertained by my brother's laid-back demeanor. "Guess you could say I've developed an interest," Caleb responded, his gaze meeting mine for just a fleeting moment before he returned his attention to Noah. As Noah and Caleb exchanged friendly banter, I