Chapter Text
Saturday
Anne was typing a course plan for the next two weeks on her laptop. It’s so boring when the bookstore is quiet like this. She sighed. Saturday usually a time when her parents’ bookstore will be filled with lots of people to buy books or lend them or even just read and then leave. Anne never mind whether people come to just read, it will not give profit to the bookstore but she at least will have someone to discuss books with or any other random things. She just loves interacting with people in general, it gives her new insights and perspectives. That’s why even after she got a job as an English teacher last year at the elementary school, she still insisted to work in the bookstore every Saturday. Not just because she enjoys the interaction with the customer but also to gives her parents a day a week to fully rest.
But today, from morning till noon, there were only 4 people that came to lend books.
“Where’s everyone? It’s unusually so quiet today.” she talked to herself as she propped her elbows on top of the desk then resting her chin on her palms.
Anne looked outside when a black Hyundai stopped and parked across the street. She then saw a man got out of the car. Somehow, she felt curious. She can’t take her eyes off him. His face slightly frowned but not unkind, he looked dejected. She keeps watching him as he looked around from beside his car and then his eyes landed on her bookstore - she felt nervous all of a sudden. He walked around the car and prepared to cross the street. She noticed that he was holding a book in his hand and her heart’s pace getting faster as he crossed the street. He stopped in front of the store and it looked like he was making sure that he was in the right place. He took out his phone from his jeans pocket and he seemed to call someone. She stares at him from inside the store, noticing how beautiful the man looks. He has a tall body, dark curly hair, deep eyes, strong and define jaw, chin… what a splendid chin he has. Anne thought to herself then realize she was staring and lost in her thought because of a man. She shook her head and scrunched her eyebrows. It was so long ago since Anne feels attracted to someone and she never felt like this to a stranger before. Weird.
Then she heard the front door opened and she prepares herself with a smile to greet this man that managed to make her become a puddle of nerves. He stopped abruptly when he’s already inside, staring at her with wide eyes. She felt her heart hammering in her chest and her stomach full of butterflies but she kept smiling and walked towards him to greet.
“Good Afternoon! What kind of book are you looking for, Dear kind sir? Or do you want to sell some?” she cringed inside her head hearing her own voice. It was too high. And why did she said all that?
The man didn’t say anything. Anne got a little bit of panic and thought that the man must think of her weird when suddenly he handed her the book that he was holding. She read the title; Leaves of Grass by Whitman. She once read it when she was still in college. It was a great poetry collection. Then she looked back up, he hasn’t said a word yet. She started to get anxious, maybe there’s something on her face so she asked as she feels her face with her fingers. But she felt nothing, then the man finally speaks and oh my god Anne could felt a shiver down her spine. His voice is not too deep and so calming even though he sounded a little nervous. She could swear it was the most beautiful voice she ever heard coming out from a man.
“Ahh… sorry, no there’s nothing on your face. Um, I was wondering if you have the exact same copy of this book? It’s Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.” He said as he rubbed the nape of his neck.
She looked back to the book with a coffee stain all over. Then Anne remembered there are 5 boxes of secondhand books in the storeroom that she got from a supplier about a week ago and she was sure she reads the same title from the list. Matthew had told her to shelf them today if she could because the collection in the secondhand shelves is thinning out and of course she could but she forgot. She’ll need to do it as soon as possible before five if she doesn’t want to get home late.
She was sure there’ll be the same copy of Whitman in those boxes but she could be wrong and she doesn’t want to give false hope. He really looked like he’s so fond of the book and devastated that it’s ruined, so she said; “It’s rare, one of the earliest edition but I think we do have it,” she looked up and saw his eyes filled with hope, he was smiling now and it knocked all the air out from her lungs. “but I have to check first. You can sit or look around. I’ll be right back, hopefully with the book for you.” she said groggily and left immediately to the storeroom in the basement, trying so hard to compose herself because she really can’t breathe. His smile was so genuine and it made her dizzy because of how beautiful it was.
This is the first time Anne met someone who is like an open book. She reads him very easily just by the look on his face. She imagining how his face will be if she can find the book. She wants to see his beautiful happy face. That means she needs to find that book no matter what because she feels like she will be as disappointed as the man if she can’t find it. If she can’t find it in the boxes, she’ll search it everywhere just for him. She doesn’t understand why, but she’s willing to do that.
When she opened the first box, she frowned. There wasn’t any Whitman. Second, third and fourth boxes, another frown. She was really sure there’s a Whitman when she checked on the list from last week. She took a deep breath and took the fifth box. She clasped her hands together and pray to God that it will be there. When she’s done praying, she opened the box and almost scream when she looked at the book that is in the top order. It was it, Whitman’s Leaves of Grass and it was the same copy of the man’s ruined book. She closed the box, pick it up with her as she leaped from the floor, leaving behind her a pile of books that was originally inside the boxes but now are scattered on the floor from all the rummaging she did. She will have to stay late to tidy everything up and put them all on the shelves. She only spent five minutes looking for one book within 5 big boxes filled with books, she doesn’t even understand why she was such in a hurry. All she knew was she wanted to see the man again and the thought made her stomach churned.
“Oh, mister you are very lucky because our bookstore just received a stock of secondhand collection and we got the same exact copy of the one you were looking for,” Anne said to the man, feeling so proud of herself.
When the man saw the book that she just handed, he smiled. The most beautiful smile Anne had ever seen a man can make. She doesn’t know what happened to her but as she saw how happy this man in front of her was, she also feels happy for him.
They had a brief conversation resulting in Anne know that the ruined book was a gift from his deceased father, no wonder he looked so devastated about it being ruined. He’s a medical school student who doesn’t discriminate genres and ended up buying one more book which is Pride and Prejudice just because she recommends it to him and he agreeing to read the other recommendation when he finishes reading Pride and Prejudice. Anne smiling giddily. She felt so happy because of this man she knew less than twenty minutes, she ended up giving him a discount without asking Marilla’s agreement. It doesn’t matter, she will pay $4.20 with her own money in return for the discount she gave him and he nor Marilla would know anything.
“Thank you. I’m really grateful that I found the book, you have no idea how happy I am when you tell me that you have it.” the man said to her with so much gratitude and tenderness in his eyes it made Anne’s heart feels warm.
She smiled at him.
“The pleasure is mine. I’m glad that you found it here. Your father must be proud that you care so much for what he gave to you.” she said truthfully because she knew it by heart, any parents would be proud if they have children as good as this man who cherish a gift from their parents even after years of having it.
They end up staring into each other’s eyes. The way he looked at her is so different from everyone else and she really likes it she couldn’t help but get lost in his hazel orbs. Then suddenly the door opened and five high schoolers roaming inside the bookstore, breaking all the spell that happening between their stares.
The man took a long breath and said his goodbye before turning around to leave.
Seeing him walking away giving her an uncomfortable feeling. She wants him to stay, she wants him to keep her company but she knew he was just a stranger and she couldn’t possibly be asking him to do that.
See you around!
She just realized he said that. Will he come again?
“See you!” She shouted before he stepped out of the store. She tried to smile as sincere as she could but she knew her face betrayed her, showing her real emotion; the sadness that suddenly overcomes her at watching him leaving with the possibility of never see him again.
She doesn’t understand nor care why she even felt this way— she will figure it out later. What matters now is that she will not take her eyes off of him while he’s still within the grasp of her sight. She waved and he waved back at her before leaving the store and crossed the street to his car. The man took one last glance in her direction, he wouldn’t be able to see her from behind the store window and a shelf but she can see him. She can see that he was sighing before he got inside his car. For some reason, he looked sad and it made her feel relief. Maybe, just maybe, he enjoyed their small conversation as much as she did.
For the first time in five years— No… for the first time in forever she felt very content from the company of a man and she may never feel it again in the near future.
“Maybe, I’ll see you again Mr. Whitman,” Anne whispered to herself and smiled.
~~~
Sunday
“Earth to Anne, can you hear me?” Someone snapped their fingers in front of Anne’s face.
Anne flinched, almost knock the coffee beside where she rested her elbow on the table. She looked to the side and glares at the person who did the snap.
“Why would you do that?!” she said hotly. “You know I’m easily startled.”
“I was talking to you but it seems like your mind is somewhere else. Where have you been wandering inside that pretty head this time?” Cole asked half annoyed half teasing.
Anne rolled her eyes towards him. It was true that she had been thinking about something. Someone. She met this tall, curly dark-haired man with a charming smile. She felt so bored yesterday when the bookstore was quiet with no customer when he came, looking all tired, sad, and handsome at the same time. She’s not the kind who would flirt but she was aware of how she couldn’t stop smiling at him. Does that count as flirting? Anne couldn’t decide. It was so long ago since the last time she flirted with boys. All the boredom she felt yesterday immediately disappeared into the thin air because of him.
“Nowhere.” Anne shrugged.
“I know you’re hiding something,” Cole said and Anne was ready to deny but he speaks again. “you always tell me what happened inside your head. Don’t you dare say I’m wrong because I know I’m not.”
“It’s nothing.” She said quietly.
“Whatever. You’ll tell me, sooner or later.” Cole said while smirking knowingly.
Anne sometimes hates it when her best friend can read her so well, she can’t hide anything from him. It’s not that she doesn’t want to tell Cole. She does. She wanted to tell everyone how her heart was racing wildly when the man stood in front of the door staring at her with his mouth open slightly like he can’t believe what he saw. But somehow she also wants to keep the memory of him just for herself. The way he speaks, smiles, stares. She felt connected with him at the moment. Besides if she tells Cole that she finally interested in someone after 5 long years of ignoring every man that tried to flirt with her, the news will spread fast to her other friends and that will be chaos and she will have to tell everyone who this mysterious man was and she doesn’t even know his name.
The thought made Anne blush brightly.
“See? You’re blushing! There must be something and it must be a guy!” Cole said so loud and made people around looking at them curiously.
“Must you shouted like that?!” she hissed at him.
“Yeah, Cole. Why were you shouting like that? I can hear it from outside.” Daryl said from behind them.
“Daryl my saviour! Please make your boyfriend stop talking nonsense.” Anne exclaimed as she leaped from her seat to hug Daryl. He hugged her back.
“Morning too, Anne” he chuckled as she let go of him but then hiding behind his back.
“Cole is being nonsense and obnoxious. Help.” She made a child-like voice and gave Daryl puppy eyes.
Daryl then turned his head away from Anne and glance over at Cole with one eyebrow raised.
“I’m not! She’s literally hiding something from us and my gut tells me it’s about a guy. She’s never blushing for five years. Not even when a hot guy in the bookstore tried to flirt with her a couple of months ago, I was there and saw it with my own eyes how she’s not even glancing at him! She just blushed earlier out of nowhere!” Cole defended.
Daryl only stares lovingly at Cole and that made him sigh. “Fine. I won’t push you, but…” Cole looks at Anne slyly. “You can’t hide it forever.”
Anne sticks out her tongue at Cole and sits back to her seat as Daryl walks away to order his food. When she was already seated, she looked at her plate and realize she doesn’t have any brownies left.
“I want more brownies. Do you want to order again? Your plate is already empty too.” She offered Cole.
“Nope, I’ll just eat what’s on Daryl’s plate. He’ll buy more than he can stomach.” He replied with a shake of the head.
Anne nodded and left Cole alone at the table.
“Tillie, brownies again pleaseeee!” Anne sing-song the last word when she reached the counter.
“A guy?” Tillie asked as she took the plate from Anne’s hand but not making any move to take her order.
“What?” Anne asked, her voice shrill.
“I heard what Cole said. If you dating someone you have to tell us, Anne.” Tillie said as she flicks her long lashes.
Anne’s face was gotten red. She’s not dating anyone but the thought of dating the man she met yesterday sounds very thrilling. She snapped from her imagination and shakes her head fast. No, she can’t think about something like that. That was the first time the man visited the bookstore and the reason was that he couldn’t find the book he wanted anywhere else, it’s really lucky of him that her bookstore had it. The possibility the man will come to the bookstore again is close to none. Besides, if someday he does come again to the bookstore; it certainly not because he was interested in her. She’s sure of that. And with a handsome face like that, he couldn’t be single. His girlfriend or fiancé or wife probably has beautiful golden blonde hair with no freckles on her skin. Anne sighed. All those bullying about her looks she got in the foster homes before she got adopted by Marilla and Matthew still get the best of her anxiety even though she realized how attractive she became since college.
“I’m not dating anyone, Tillie. Still the same single Anne since five years ago.” Anne said simply.
Tillie’s shoulder dropped.
“She’ll tell us if she found someone, Tillie. We just need to wait a little longer.” Daryl chimed in.
Tillie nodded. “I know. It’s just… you’ve been single for too long, Anne. I’m just worried. All of us are.”
Anne smiled at Tillie. They’ve met in college along with Josie and Jane and they’ve been friends and sharing apartment ever since, except when she graduated and hadn’t gotten a job yet. She moved back to her parents’ house in Willowdale and helped them at the bookstore until she got a teaching job near U of T and decided to move back to the apartment with the girls. Anne used to have only Cole, Daryl and Lucy as a friend before college, they’ve been friends since the beginning of junior school. So when she introduced her new friends to them and they clicked right away, she was so relieved. Lucy got married and moved to London with her husband a year ago. And that was the cause all of her friends getting more worried about Anne’s love life. All of them already have partners except for Anne and they don’t want to make Anne feel left out so it’s already a tradition for them to introduce Anne to a decent guy they even made a group chat named ‘Anne needs a boyfriend’. Anne can’t even remember how many times Josie and Jane tried to set her up with their colleague to no avail because Anne was never interested, no matter how good-looking and decent they were.
The last time Anne dated someone was her first year in college. His name was Josh, he was kind, cute, funny and liked her so much. He was basically a perfect boyfriend but Anne felt something was lacking in their relationship. Well, in every relationship she had before Josh as well. So that’s why she always be the one that ended everything. After Josh, she was done trying to find the one and decided to stay single and focusing on herself to be a better individual. It was always like that for the past five years until yesterday when she met him.
“I assured you that I’ll be fine with or without a partner.” Anne took Tillie’s hand. “besides, I’m only twenty-three years old! I’m focusing on my career as a teacher now, finding a partner is not my first priority. All those guys Jo and Jane introduced me? They’re all super fine, but I never felt attracted to them. So that’s why I always rejected them as soon as possible. I just don’t want to give them false hope. If the right person comes along, whenever that is, I’ll know. Don’t worry, hmm?”
Anne trying to repress butterflies in her stomach when she heard herself said ‘the right person’. She doesn’t quite understand the feeling she felt right now, it was the same feeling when she met him yesterday and she’ll probably never see him again to figure it out.
“Yeah, you’re right. Don’t be like me, had two guys chased after me for two years and can’t decide which one to choose because the two of them were equally adorable only to ended up with someone else thankfully who can understand me more than the two of them.” Tillie said while laughing and walk away to serve Anne’s and Daryl’s orders.
As soon as Tillie was out of earshot. Daryl nudges Anne with his elbow. She looked up and Daryl smiled at her. “You want to talk about it? I know there’s someone on your mind. It’s written all over your face.” He said softly.
Anne nodded. “But promise me you won’t tell anyone, not even Cole.” She stuck out her right pinky.
Daryl snorted but lace his pinky with hers nonetheless. “You know I’d never do that, right? I’ve been your secret confidante since day one. Trust me, Anne. Where and when do you want to talk about it?”
“I know. Thanks, Daryl.” She smiled and release his pinky. “Tomorrow night? In the usual sushi place?”
“Oh, perfect! I’ve been craving sushi!” he said excitedly.
At the same time, Tillie was back with their orders “Here you go guys, enjoy!”
Anne and Daryl got back to their table, joining Cole whose sketching on his iPad, and stopped immediately to take the brownies from the plate Daryl just put in front of him. The three of them spent the rest of their Sunday morning with a light conversation and so much laughter until Anne excuse herself to go back to her apartment to do her weekly chores.
~~~
Monday
“I can’t get him out of my head since then,” Anne confessed after telling Daryl who she had met on Saturday.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Daryl asked as he sipped his ocha tea.
“What is obvious?” Anne asked him back, confused.
“You’re in love at first sight.” He said playfully.
Anne stopped her hand from directing the chopstick to her open mouth, nearly drop the sushi in between it. “I-I’m not!” Daryl cocked his eyebrow and smiling knowingly. “God, Daryl! Where was that thought even come from?”
As much as she was aware that she felt attracted to the man, she’d never admitted it’s as deep as love. That word is too powerful and that made Anne scared.
“Oh, Anne… You are the smartest person I’ve ever known but in this matter, you are so dumb.” Daryl said while snickering.
“What do you mean?” Anne said sharply.
“Your own feelings, Anne! You are oblivious about it!” Daryl said, chuckling slightly.
Anne gasped. She knows exactly about herself. She knows how to feel. What does Daryl even mean? “I know how to feel. I know what I feel!” she defended herself.
“There’s no doubt about that but,” Daryl said to her kindly. “why denying it? it’s obvious, Anne… you’re in love. It’ll happen sooner or later and I’m certain it’s happening now.” He cast her a sympathetically smile.
She understood what he means and he was right. Love. She knows she loves her adoptive parents and friends and she always makes sure to show it to them. She can also easily fall in love with books, trees, and flowers. But Anne doesn’t have lots of experience in one particular love. She never fell in love in that way before. She sighed.
“I don’t know, Dar,” she said weakly. “How can I be sure if I fall in love with this guy I only saw once? I don’t even know him.”
“That’s why I said it was at first sight. The beauty of it, Anne… it’s a mystery. You’ll feel it even though you only see them for two seconds.” Daryl stated.
She pondered what Daryl just said but then her mind brings her back to when she was still in the foster home. Most of the couples that took orphans to foster are not in a happy relationship. It was more of toleration rather than love.
“But there’s a lot of cases when someone thought they were in love but then they were wrong and they ended up in misery!” Anne interjected lowly. “What if-”
Daryl lifts his hand to stop Anne from rambling any further. “I always believe there are two indications that play a huge part in a couple’s first encounter. First, attraction with love. Second, attraction with lust.” He paused to eat another sushi but still put his hand in the air, telling Anne that she was not able to speak yet. He chewed fast and swallowed. Then he continued. “If it’s love that plays the part, lust is one package with it and it’s a beautiful thing. But, when it’s lust that comes first,” he paused again to drink. “love can also come out of it but not always. People thought they’re in love but the truth is they’re not. It isn’t love, it is just lust. You’ll get bored and leave when it’s only lust, that’s why the relationship doesn’t work out and turn into a shithole. Love grows and will not just disappear Anne. It’s a strong feeling and people who are in love always find a reason to keep loving their partner even though they got bored and they will find it, always. To those that don’t end up together, they will still have that special spot in their hearts for the people they love even after they fall in love for the second time with a completely different person. I could be wrong but that’s how I believe it. Now the question is, what were you feeling when you met this guy? Is it just an attraction because he’s handsome which is lust or…?”
Anne’s mind spinning with lots of things after hearing what Daryl just told her; is it love or lust or not even both? All she knew is she never felt so content with anyone else the way she felt it with the man. It was very comfortable and intriguing.
She sighed. “I don’t know!”
“Okay, just spit out what you feel when you think about him. Don’t think!” Daryl suggested.
“When I first saw him across the street, I was curious. He emitted this heavy atmosphere, at that moment I knew he was sad and I was right. It was because of the book he brought with him.” she paused and drink her ocha to relieve her nerves. “knowing that the only thing that can lift his spirit was the same edition of the book, I became determined to find it. I was frustrated when I opened the first four boxes and couldn’t find the book. Before I open the last box, I prayed first and when I finally found the book inside it, I felt elated like it was me that needed the book instead of him. when I showed him the book…” Anne stopped and smiled.
“What? Why are you smiling goofily?” Daryl asked while smirking knowingly.
“He smiled, it was so beautiful I couldn’t take my eyes off him,” she stated and she can feel her face warming. Her cheeks must be the shade of red now. But she doesn’t care.
“So…”
Anne doesn’t listen to Daryl and keeps talking. “It was just a smile, but my heart- I think I never felt my heart beating fast like that before. Seeing him smile made me happy and when he mentioned his deceased father, I could feel the fondness and sadness and I don’t know, Dar… I-I just want to comfort him as much as I could.”
She stopped talking and looked outside the window.
“Do you want to say it or should I say it for you?” Daryl commented teasingly.
Anne stayed silent. She was still not sure but the feeling that building up inside of her couldn’t possibly for nothing. She finally speaks “I think you are right, Dar. But for now, I’m just gonna stick to ‘I feel attracted so much to this guy’. I won’t label it!”
Daryl sighed. “Whatever makes you comfortable then, Anne.”
~~~
Saturday
“Anne!” this is the fourth time Josie calling Anne’s name but she still not listening. “ANNE!”
Anne flinched from her position in the corner of the sofa “Yes? What is it?” she looked at Josie. “And why should you yelled like that?”
“I’ve been calling your name four times and you didn’t listen even once!” Josie exclaimed hotly.
“Oh, sorry.”
“What’s going on, Anne? you were excited this morning but now you’re so quiet. Was there something that happened in the bookstore that made your mood down?” Josie asked, her voice full of concern.
Anne stayed silent. She’s processing what Josie just asked her. What should she answer that question with? The thing is, there’s nothing happened. The man didn’t come today and that’s what makes her sad. She was so excited to go to the bookstore since Friday. This morning, she dressed up a little nicer. She even put on a little bit of makeup - lipstick with the shade that so close to her lip colour and mascara. She thought that she’d also use a foundation to cover her freckles but he has already seen her face before. It’ll be too obvious that she was trying to look nicer and she doesn’t want him to notice. But after all; she felt cute for the day.
Anne only uses make-up when she went out with her friends. To school, she’ll only use a lip balm and to the bookstore, she always preferred bare face. So the sudden change was not missed from her housemate’s observation. Thankfully, they didn’t pry too much and only complimented how cute she looked this morning.
“Nothing happens,” Anne said while offering a weak smile. “I’m just tired.” She lied a little. She’s not tired, she’s just sad. “Why are you calling me for, Josie?”
“What do you want for dinner? I already called Tillie and Jane and we agreed to order Chinese food.” Josie said.
“Noodle for me,” Anne replied curtly.
Suddenly Tillie barges in from the front door.
“I met my high school friends today! Their boyfriends have two housemates and the both of them look so fucking handsome and they’re single!!” she declared.
“Welcome home, Tillie,” Josie said sarcastically. “Tell that to Anne because she’s the only one that doesn’t have a boyfriend.”
Then Jane came. “One of them is like Anne’s ideal type personified.”
“Yes! That’s why I came in all breathless like this. Anne!” Tillie called out to Anne who’s not paying any attention.
“She’s been like this since she came home,” Josie explained. “Anne, Tillie is talking to you.” she put a hand on Anne’s shoulder.
Anne sighed. “I know, I listened. But as usual, I’m not interested.” She said simply, not even looking at Tillie.
“You haven’t even seen him, Anne. I’m sure this time you’ll be interested!” Tillie tried to convince her stubborn friend.
“Yes, Anne. As I said, this dude is really your ideal type personified. Curly dark hair, divined jaw, and oh! He wears glasses!” Jane describes with such enthusiasm.
At what Jane said, Anne gives a little attention, not because it’s her ideal type. She just realized that the man she met at the bookstore has the same physical characteristics that Jane just describe.
Maybe that’s why she felt attracted to him. He looked exactly like her ideal type. But the man she met in the bookstore didn’t wear glasses. She frowned and stayed silent.
“He did? I didn’t see!” Tillie asked excitedly. “We all know how much Anne was crazy about boys who wear glasses back in college days.”
“I’m not crazy about them. I just find them more attractive than the ones who don’t wear it.” Anne defended herself.
Jane ignored what Anne just said. “Yes, he did. He wore contacts and took them off before he put on the glasses saying that all the reading make his eyes hurt. Shit, Tillie why didn’t we ask his name and social media? he really is a perfect match for Anne! he even read Jane Eyre!”
Anne’s body was gone stiffen at the mention of Jane Eyre. She’s kinda curious but chooses to not comment. Instead, she turned on the tv and pick Pride and Prejudice.
“Not that I don’t like Pride and Prejudice, Anne, I just prefer to watch something that I haven’t watch for the hundredth time.” Josie tried to complain
Anne shrugged. “This is the cost you need to pay for trying to set me up with a freaking stranger all the time,” Anne said with a sly smirk.
“Great! Thanks guys you made her mood even worse.” Josie groaned before taking a seat next to Anne. “Come on, Darcy, bring on the romance!”
With that, Anne laughed and shook her head. Josie was always like that. She shows that she cares in her own way. Josie knows something is up but she doesn’t pry so much and just gives her support with her way and Anne is grateful for that.
However, she kind of curious about the man Tillie and Jane had told her about. She once again got reminded of the man she met at the bookstore. She told him to read Jane Eyre after he finishes with Pride and Prejudice. Could it be him? But it’s too good to be true if it’s really him. She chose not to think about it any further and focusing back on the movie.
~~~
Friday
Anne was walking home from school, she didn’t bring her car today because she felt like walking. It helps her thinking and lately, there’s been so much going on inside her mind including him.
This day has been very tiring and all she wanted to do after she gets home is taking a long bath and after that do some grading and having dinner on her bed while watching Pride and Prejudice (again).
Suddenly, her phone buzzed in her trouser pocket. She took it out and smiling when she saw who’s the caller.
Incoming call: Daryl
“Hey!” Anne greets the phone happily.
“Hey, sweetheart! Where are you? Want to grab dinner with me and Cole tonight?”
“On the way home. I think I’ll pass. I want to have some me-time.”
“You mean watching Pride and Prejudice again?” Daryl asked teasingly.
“Don’t tease me, Dar,” Anne said slightly annoyed but still in good humour.
“I’m not… Anne, you’ll meet him again. I know you will.” He said earnestly, making Anne feel warm for his endless support.
She sighed. “I’m not sure anymore. He didn’t come last week. I thought at least he’ll come again to buy the other books I recommend him.”
“You said he told you he’s a med student right?”
“Yeah.”
“He’ll probably busy, Anne. Have a little faith.” Daryl tried to reassure her.
“I just don’t want to put my hopes up. That’s all.” She confessed weakly.
Then silent. She stopped at the intersection waiting for the red lights to cross the road. The phone still in her ear then she speaks again. “He probably doesn’t even remember me. I-”
Her words got stuck in her tongue the moment she saw a Honda Civic passed the street. It’s not the car that stole her attention but it was the man in the passenger seat. It’s him. She only saw him for two seconds but she knew it was him. Anne almost runs to chase the car but Daryl’s voice stopped her before she can lift her foot.
“Anne? are you alright?” he sounded worried.
She inhales a long breath before speaking. “I saw him. Daryl, I saw him!” she exclaimed with a wide smile on her face.
“What? When? Where?” he asked excitedly.
“Just now! He was inside the car that just passed me. At least I know now that I’m not only dreaming. He truly exists!” she stated lively.
“This whole time you think you imagining him?” Daryl asked her incredulously.
“Yes, it helps me dissipate the sadness of not seeing him.”
“Oh, Anne… You are the only person that will think that!” Daryl laughs heartily.
“Don’t mock me!” then she continued her walk when the lights turned red. She almost didn’t want to move from there but she knew it doesn’t make sense for her to wait there.
“I’m not! It’s a good sign, Anne! maybe he’ll come tomorrow!”
Anne frowned. “No, I don’t want to hope like last week just to end up disappointed.” She shakes her head.
“Okay.” She can hear him sighed defeatedly.
“Is Anne coming?” it was Cole.
“I want to talk with Cole,” Anne said to Daryl as soon as she heard Cole’s voice.
“Hey, you. Not gonna come?” Cole’s gentle voice asked.
“Hey, I want to. But Pride and Prejudice calling me tonight. Alone.” She replied kindly.
“It’s been calling you for the past two weeks. You have to wake up early tomorrow, don’t stay up too late.”
“It depends. I have to grade first then I’ll eat dinner and watch after that.” She explained her plans for tonight.
“I think you’ll be late tomorrow. But since you’re not coming for dinner I think I’ll head to Willowdale right now instead of tomorrow then. What do you think, Dar?”
“Sounds good to me.” Anne can hear Daryl’s voice.
“You guys visiting?”
“Yeah, my sisters miss me. We’re staying at Daryl’s though.” Cole responded.
“Okay, be careful on the road! Oh, can you guys come over at lunchtime? I miss you. We haven’t met since two weeks ago. You’ve been so busy!” she complained like a child.
“We will and we miss you too, of course, we’ll come and bring you lunch. Have fun with Darcy but don’t stay up late! Oh, Daryl wants to speak with you again.”
“Anne?” Daryl said.
“Yeah?”
“Cole’s gone to the bathroom. I just want to say that I know you’re not going to hope for him to come tomorrow but wear something nice. Just in case.” he suggested.
“Daryl…” Anne tried to protest.
“Just please, Anne. You don’t have to put on make-up. Just be you, but make it a little cuter because I know you sometimes only clad in an oversized t-shirt while working at the bookstore.” He insisted.
“I’m not trying to impress anyone.” She interjected.
“But now you want to impress someone that might come at any moment.”
“He probably wouldn’t come.” She debated.
“If he does, you’ll at least look decent.” He tried to reason with her.
“Fineeee” Anne finally relent just so this conversation over.
“Yes! Thank you, love. I gotta go take a bath before leaving. See you tomorrow at noon!” Daryl said excitedly.
“See you, bye!” Anne said to the phone with a smile. Even though she got irritated by him but she can never be mad at him.
The call ended right when Anne reached her apartment building. She sighed. “Whatever happens, happens… Tomorrow please be kind to me,” she said before walking into the building.
~~~
Saturday
“Anne! wake up you’re late!” Jane shouted and knocking hard on Anne’s bedroom door.
Anne took her phone on her bedside table. It’s dead. She forgot to plug it in last night. She groaned.
“Anne!” Jane shouted once again.
“I’m awake! What time is it?” her voice rasp from the sleep, eyes still closed.
“Half-past eight! I thought you already left. Cole called me saying that your phone is dead.”
Anne’s eyes snapped open. “Holy shit Jane! Why didn’t anyone wake me up?!” she jumped from her bed and took her towel before unlocking the door, run straight to the bathroom.
“I told you, I thought you already left since before 8, you always did leave before 8 every Saturday and your door was closed anyway so I took off to jog without checking. Tillie is still asleep and Josie is staying over at her boyfriend’s. You’re lucky I bring my phone with me, if I don’t, Cole wouldn’t be able to inform me about you, and thanks to my stamina as well, I ran as fast as I can to go back home.” Jane speaks loudly so Anne can hear from inside the bathroom.
Two minutes later Anne got out. She’s grateful that she decided to wash her hair last night instead of this morning. She also felt grateful that she already prepared today’s outfit. She chose her navy shirt with floral print and skinny jeans. She sure he wouldn’t come but at least dressing up a bit wouldn’t hurt anyone and this shirt is one of her cutest shirts but also comfortable to wear in the middle of June.
“Thank you so much, Jane. I’ll treat you next time we hang out.” Anne said clad in only a towel while passing Jane who sat on the kitchen stool making something.
“No worries, Anne. You need to be fast though. Cole said that he already took the key from Marilla to open the store but still, don’t make him wait for too long.”
Anne finish dressing up and took her bag with other things she needs for today in less than two minutes. A record had been made. Anne Shirley-Cuthbert prepared herself in the morning in less than 5 minutes but minus her hair because it’s still tangled in a messy bun.
“Yeah, yeah I go now. Thank you again, Jane. See you tonight.” She said as she got out of her room.
“Eat this on the way. You bring your car?” Jane said as she walked towards Anne and stuffed a Tupperware filled with sandwich into Anne’s bag.
“Thank you again, oh Jane you’re my saviour today!” Anne said as she gave Jane a peck on the cheek and ran to the door.
“Oh, Anne!” Jane called her.
“Yes?” Anne replied while struggling to put on her converse.
“You should really consider this guy Tillie and I mentioned last week. I saw him again last night at Tillie’s, he literally is your dream guy. Last night he reads a freaking Great Gatsby. One of your favourites too!” Jane said carefully and vigorously at the same time.
Anne’s heart thumping a little faster when she heard Jane said that the guy she saw reading The Great Gatsby. She shook her head. It can’t be him. She’s not going to put her hopes up. “Jane, let’s talk about this later. I’m running late.” She said as steady as she could.
“Yeah, I know I just wanted to tell you before I forgot. Careful! Don’t go speeding!” Jane said apologetically but a smirk playing on her face.
“I won’t! Bye!” she said as she finished tying her converse.
Anne ran to the elevator, as she gets inside she took out her hairbrush and start brushing her hair. When the elevator opened to the basement parking lot she got out of it and ran again to her car. Once she reached her car, she unlocked it in a haste and get inside. She starts the car, took out her charger cable from her bag, and plugs her phone. As she waited for the phone to turn on, she continued brushing her hair and French braid it. After finished with her hair she drove out from the parking lot while eating the sandwich Jane gave her. If Marilla knew Anne driving while eating she’ll definitely scold her. But there’s no time to waste, once she arrived at the store, she wouldn’t have time to eat.
8:46 am
She sure will be late. Her phone finally turned on and she made a call to Cole.
Dialing Cole…
“You’re not dead.”
“I’m sorry!”
“Don’t worry. I’m on my way to the store. You owe me though. I have to left Daryl alone with my sisters this morning. We were supposed to have breakfast together. Now, where are you?”
“Just got out not far from my building. Shit!”
“What happened?”
“There’s traffic.”
“Ah, the roadwork. It’ll take you at least 20 minutes stuck there.”
“I’m sorry Cole. It’s okay you don’t have to open the store though, just go with Daryl and your sisters.”
“Nonsense. I know for a fact you’d be disappointed in yourself if the store doesn’t open in time. Besides, what if there are customers and the store hadn’t open. They will be disappointed as well. Okay, I’m in front of the store already. Anne, don’t go speeding, relax. You know I don’t mind.” Cole spoke without giving Anne a chance to interject.
“Okay, I will try to get there as fast as I can without speeding. Cole, thank you so much and sorry again.” She said sincerely.
“It’s okay. I have to hang up now, there’s a store that needs to be open. Careful! See you, Anne!” Cole said kindly.
“Yeah, okay. Bye, Cole!” she ended the call and look straight to the front.
Suddenly, the conversation that she had with Jane earlier emerged itself. The Great Gatsby. The guy Jane talked about reading The Great Gatsby and last week he read Jane Eyre. It was the books she recommends to the man she met two weeks ago. What if it’s really him and she passed him by this whole time?
The coincidences are too uncanny; physical traits and books they read. How many men with dark curly hair and strong jaw reads Jane Eyre and The Great Gatsby in a short amount of time? Probably many. Anne shakes her head again. No, she doesn’t dare to hope.
9:32 am
Anne pulls up her car in front of the store. She was so late!
She ran to the store’s front door and opened it hard.
“I’m so sorry, Cole. I was staying up late rewatc—” She tried to say but Cole cut her.
“Keira Knightley’s Pride and Prejudice. I know. You told me last night. That’s why I called Marilla and said to her that I will open the store today and took the keys from her because you’ll wake up late and I was right.” Cole said to her while taking his bag from under the desk.
“Why don’t you just force me to sleep?” Anne asked playfully. Usually, Cole will force her to sleep but last night he didn’t do that. She’s been wondering why?
“Because you deserve to relax. Watching that makes you relax and somehow you’ve been crazy about it again in the past two weeks.” Cole said while smirking. Anne knows this smirk, it’s when Cole knows something that she’s hiding from him.
“I-it’s a good movie,” Anne swears inside her head for being stuttered. She felt her cheeks warm.
“You know what, babe? I can tell you’re hiding something from me and I will know it soon.” He said with the same smirk. Anne knew it. Cole is just too good at reading her. Two weeks ago he also did this to her at Tillie’s.
“Yeah whatever, Cole. Go now! Don’t make my sweet Daryl waiting any longer. I don’t want him to think that his boyfriend is neglecting him because of me.” she shooed him away, without Daryl beside her, Cole’s teasing is endless and she doesn’t need it this morning. She got work to do.
“Oh you know Daryl loves you too much he wouldn’t mind if I spend more time with you than him if that makes you happy,” Cole said while laughing. It’s true though.
“I know! I love you gays, too! Now get the hell out of here and meet your boyfriend!” she said, all of her guilty feeling for making him opening the store for her is now gone. His tease made her feel irritated but she still has a smile on her face because of how true his tease was. She indeed hiding something from him.
“Okay okay! Bye, you ninny! I love you!” Cole said and finally left the bookstore.
Anne sighed. She looked around and inspect the store. The floor positively had been dusted. She smiled, feeling very grateful for Cole’s initiative. She looked towards the shelf near the front window, It’s kinda empty, she needs to put some new collection from the storeroom. She looked around again. It’s still early but there are already three people reading; two-person seated near the window and the other one was in the aisle of the bookshelf. Anne was familiar with the two-person that were seated near the window, they come often. She couldn’t see the face of the person that standing on the aisle though.
She went to the storeroom and was back with a huge box filled with books. She moved the books into the trolley and starting to stroll around the bookstore to put the books in the right section. When she stopped on the front window and started putting the books onto the shelf there, she looked outside and she felt her body stiffen. There, across the street is parked the same car she saw two weeks ago. The man’s car. She stares at it for a moment. Is he here? that’s the only question that’s reeling inside her head. Then she remembers the person on the aisle of the bookshelf. She doesn’t dare to turn to her left and see it for herself. She already promised herself not to hope for him to come but seeing the same car and unknown man reading in the romance section gave her a thrill and also dread. It might be him, but what would she say to him if it really him? she feels so nervous, her hands trembling and she almost knocked the pile of books beside her.
Breathe, Anne. it might not be him. She breathed. Inhale and exhale slowly. She checked the remaining books in the trolley there’s plenty of romance and that means, she needs to go to that section and face whoever was standing there.
She turned slowly with the trolley and go to the aisle across from the one where the unknown man standing. She still can’t see his face. The man facing the wall and his head were ducked she can’t even see his hair. Then she slowly walking towards him and she can see the man’s body is tense. She feels her heart racing so fast she worried that whoever this man in front of her will hear it and got startled. Finally stopping behind this unknown man, Anne made a small cough to let him know there’s someone behind him but he doesn’t seem to hear it. So, with a determination to end her curiosity, Anne chose to speak.
“Excuse me, I have to put some books there.” She managed to not sound shaky.
Anne was sure her heart almost stopped when the man turned around, head still ducking but she recognized him immediately.
“Oh sorry.” He said weakly he looked so sad but Anne didn’t notice.
All the nervousness was gone replaced by excitements and happiness. Before she could stop herself, Anne exclaimed cheerily. “Mr. Whitman!”
The man’s head snaps up and he looks at her like he couldn’t believe what he just heard. Anne was smiling at him. She feels quite stupid to call him Whitman but that’s the only thing that came to her mind at the moment and she thought that maybe if she uses that as a way to call out to him, he’ll remember her. “You’re back!” she said again, not feeling quite sure whether it’s real or not. She probably still sleeping.
The man blinking and finally said something to her. “Hi, yeah it’s really good to see you.”
At that, her face blushing. Not in a million years she imagined that he will say what he said.
Be cool, Anne. she begged herself inside her head.
“Hello! It’s good to see you too. What brings you here? Have you finish Pride and Prejudice?” she managed to say it without stuttering and she’s never felt more proud of herself.
Anne decided to distract herself by shelving the books, if she keeps staring at him- she’s sure she will do something stupid.
“Yes, I have and now I’m running out of a book to read, I need some refreshment from all the medical textbooks.” He said so nonchalantly.
Anne felt a little down and thought to herself; Did he not remember my other recommendation?
She narrowed her eyes and turned her head to look at him. “It’s time for Jane Eyre then.” She’s hoping he at least remember she had recommended him other books.
But then his facial expression changed from hesitation to smug.
“Finished with that.” He said proudly.
Anne can't believe what she just heard. He already finished Jane Eyre and she couldn’t believe it. that means he remembers her recommendation very well.
“You did? You have the book?” Anne asked him in disbelief.
Then he laughing softly. He looked so cute Anne almost weep at the sight. “Yes and no. I didn’t have the book before so I came back here and bought it.”
What? When? Did he come here on weekdays? Anne got curious so she asks.
“When?’ focusing all her attention on him, the books are forgotten.
“It was three or four days after my first visit, I guess. I couldn’t quite recall.” He answered simply.
This whole time, Anne thought for the worst-case scenario when actually it was just a mismatch in time. He did come. But it’s just not on Saturday. Anne feels so happy she couldn’t contain it.
“That means now you have to read The Great Gatsby!” she suggested.
“Done with that too. I bought it here a couple of days ago.” He grinned, making him look so young.
Anne gasped. He came twice and she didn’t know about that at all, assuming that he doesn’t remember her at all. She felt both amaze and in disbelief while staring at him with her jaw hanging slightly.
“No way! Isn’t a med school student like you supposed to be so busy you don’t even have enough time to sleep properly? How did you found a time to read three romantic novels in a span of two weeks?” she asked the first thing that came to her mind.
Anne suddenly remembered the guy Tillie and Jane told her about. It could really be him. The timeline is just so matched. The guy reads Jane Eyre a week ago and The Great Gatsby last night. This man in front of her bought Jane Eyre a week ago and The Great Gatsby a couple of days ago.
“I just love to read, especially if the book is good. And by far, all three books you had recommend me are extremely great.” He smiled at her softly.
Anne’s breath got caught in her throat. She exhaled slowly. “Oh my God, you’re a dream.” The words got out before she could stop herself.
Anne feels mortified, she didn’t intend to say that out loud, it just came out. He must think of her as a weird girl who flirts with every guy she met. Anne drops her head to hide the blush on her face. But then she heard him chuckled softly making her comes back to reality and out of the confine of her imagination.
“And this dream guy’s name is Gilbert Blythe.” He said while extending his hand for a handshake.
Gilbert Blythe. His name is kind of unusual but Anne likes the sound of his voice while he said it.
Anne felt relieved. He responded to her foolishness so kindly so she smiled at him. Can’t contain her giddiness, Anne giggling like a schoolgirl. “Hello, Mr. Blythe. I apologize for calling you Whitman earlier. My name is Anne Shirley-Cuthbert and Anne is spelled with an E.” she said confidently as she took his hand to shake it.
“Anne” The way he said it, made all the butterflies inside her belly flying around. “Nice to meet you.”
Anne was at loss for words. All she could do was only smile at him. She stares at his hazel eyes that hold so many emotions. She couldn’t understand why but it feels like his eyes are telling her exactly what she feels right now. Admiration, fondness, contentment, and love. She swallowed nervously. She must be imagining things but it was there, she can sense it.
Then his phone ringing. She was so grateful to whomever that called Gilbert at this moment. It feels like if there’s no distraction, they’ll staring at each other the whole day, or worse, she probably does something stupid.
She let go of his hand and back to shelving the books to hide how flustered she became under his gaze.
Gilbert excuses himself and went outside to pick up his phone.
Once all the books already shelved, Anne walks out of the aisle towards the front desk putting the trolley back in its place beside it, and then she took a seat, she stole a glance towards where Gilbert speaking to his phone screen and he was smiling broadly to the person on the other side of the line. Anne got curious, who the person that can make Gilbert smiling like he is the happiest person on earth? Anne shudders, it might be his girlfriend or fiancé or wife. She frowned. She was too happy to see him again she forgot that he could probably already have a partner. She let her guards down and now she feels like an absolute loser. She sighed and decided to write absentmindedly in her notebook. It always helps to calm her nerves whenever she felt upset.
But then her phone chimed in. Someone just texts her. She looked at her phone screen and smiled when she sees it was Daryl who texted her.
(10:04) Daryl: Hey, pumpkin!
(10:04) Anne: Hey! Is Cole already with you? sorry I overslept.
(10:04) Daryl: Yes, he’s here already. Don’t worry about it, Anne.
(10:04) Daryl: How is it going there? Cole didn’t make a mess, wasn’t he?
(10:05) Anne: Of course not! He even dusted the floor, I’m so grateful. Say my thank you please, I forgot to say it when he was here because he was being obnoxious, teasing me about ‘hiding something’ and how he would find out.
(10:05) Daryl: Done! But you are indeed hiding something…
(10:05) Anne: He’s here, Dar… his name is Gilbert!
(10:05) Anne: But I think he already has a partner because right now he’s FaceTime with someone and he looked so happy.
(10:05) Anne: I let my guards down and now I feel like shit😔
(10:05) Daryl: Holy shit!! You serious? Anne, it could be anyone, don’t lose hope, Darling…
(10:05) Daryl: It could be his family members or friends. It’s not necessarily have to be partners that made someone smile. Come on!
(10:05) Daryl: Stay positive. He came back, Anne! that’s a good sign…
(10:06) Daryl: And it’s so fucking early, Anne. It’s like he’s so eager to come he couldn’t hold himself to come a little later.
(10:06) Anne: One thing for sure, he’s already here before me…
(10:06) Anne: And he came here twice on weekdays…
(10:06) Daryl: ANNE! Oh my goodness!
(10:06) Anne: And I think he kinda flirted with me because I accidentally called him ‘a dream’ and then he responded with ‘and this dream guy’s name is Gilbert Blythe’. Wait…
(10:07) Anne: Is it really Blythe? Is it spell with Y or I?
(10:07) Daryl: THAT DOESN’T MATTER!
(10:07) Daryl: You have to flirt back! he is positively into you, just trust me!
(10:07) Anne: What if he’s not?
(10:07) Anne: Maybe that’s just how the way he treats people and besides I forgot how to flirt!
(10:07) Daryl: Okay, don’t flirt then. But show that you feel attracted to him.
(10:08) Daryl: Be honest and act like it!
(10:08) Daryl: You like him, right?
(10:08) Anne: ‘like’ doesn’t do justice to how much my heart feels right now. I don’t want to label it but it will be to goody of me to deny that I think I fall in love with him.
(10:08) Daryl: So, just feel it and be honest. Don’t restrain yourself, okay?
(10:08) Anne: Okay… he’s done, he’s coming back. wml!
(10:08) Daryl: Go get him! xoxo
Anne put her phone on the desk as Gilbert got back inside the store. He glanced at her as he closed the door and then smiling blindingly.
“Hey, sorry about earlier. So, books? Any new recommendation?” he said whilst still walking nearing the desk.
Anne felt herself blush and curse internally for her lack of blush-control. She can only hope he’ll not notice it.
She contemplating flirting as Daryl suggested. But she knew she’ll look stupid. Instead, she just acts in her teaching mode when her students asked her about something, making them wait to make them even more curious.
“Hmm let me think” Anne tapping her chin out of habit then she looks away. She’s not trying to look cute or endearing but then when her gaze is back to Gilbert, he was staring at her while smiling lovingly. She was surprised but despite being shy, she’s smiling back at him.
An idea pops inside her head. “Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. And this time I’ll lend you my book.”
She hopes he catches her intention. She wants to see him again and lending him her personal book that means it will be easier for them to meet again.
“Thank you. Anne, I was wondering are you working ‘till three, tomorrow?” he suddenly asked and Anne got excited because it sounds like he wants to see her again.
But then she got confused. Did he think I work here every day?
“I don’t” she answered her own question.
“Oh,” Gilbert’s shoulder dropped. He looked disappointed. “of course, it’s Sunday. The bookstore must be closed.”
Anne felt slightly panic. She needs to explain herself before he got the wrong notion.
“It’ll be open. And what I meant by ‘don’t’ was I don’t work here.”
“Huh? But… if you don’t work here then what are you doing here?” he looked utterly confused.
“This is my parents’ bookstore. See here?” she pointed to the framed photo that rested on the side of the desk. “That’s my parents. I only come and help here every Saturday, my parents’ day off. Any other days I’m teaching at elementary school and Sunday is my rest day. You and I met on Saturday too two weeks ago.”
After she finished explaining, a thought came to her head; He said that he came here twice on weekdays, was he hoping to see me? her heart starting to beating faster as she sees realization dawning on his face and he chuckled. But then he frowned.
“I was planning to discuss about the books that I’ve finished with you.” his voice sounds nervous.
Anne stayed silent. He does want to see her again, not just see but he wants to spend some time with her. He made it clear by his words and that was what she wanted too. She remembered what Daryl told her earlier. She needs to be honest and act on her feelings. So that’s what she’s going to do. If she wants to get to know him, she must work on it.
“Will it be alright if we meet outside? Coffee and vegan sweets would be nice.” She asked sheepishly, a little worried that she catches the signal wrong.
But when she saw Gilbert raised his head with a big smile on his face, all her worries were gone. She did the right thing. They indeed want the same thing.
Gilbert agreed and recommends taking her to the place he knows. Anne feeling more confident suggesting to save each other’s number and he looked kinda relief when she said that. When she looked at his phone wallpaper, she feels like her heart burst with fondness of the picture in the background. It was Gilbert and a little girl. A cute and beautiful little girl. Turns out it was his niece and she was the one who FaceTime with him earlier. Now Anne could understand why he was smiling like the happiest person on earth. His niece is absolutely one of the most adorable humans ever. She complimented how lovely the little girl is and in turn, he also complimented her wallpaper picture which is her with Marilla and Matthew. She suddenly felt overwhelmed by how he said ‘your parents’. Whoever sees Anne with Marilla and Matthew will know immediately they are not family by blood but Gilbert’s face didn’t show any assumption or so. Either he is really oblivious or he is just a really good person. She couldn’t decide. She felt like crying so before she does she divert the conversation with the first thing that comes to her mind.
“What is the café’s name?”
“It’s called Tillie’s. Quite far from here, near my place and U of T.”
Anne gasped. Is he…?
“You know Tillie’s? That’s my housemate’s cafe!” she said with wide eyes.
“Seriously?” he asked her in disbelief, Anne nodded. “I know that café because my housemates’ girlfriends, Diana and Ruby knew the owner. And I know your bookstore from Ruby. She came here with Diana and my housemates Moody, Fred, and Roy a couple of months ago when the bookstore was crowded.”
Anne can’t believe her ears. This whole time the guy Tillie and Jane mentioned and tried to set up with her was Gilbert. It couldn’t be wrong. Tillie explicitly said that her two friends have boyfriends and the guy was their housemates. It must be him. And also the books, he reads the same books that she recommends to Gilbert. Anne was about to ask him to make sure but then she realizes it will sound weird if she asks him that question. It’s the same as telling him that she and her friends were talking about him. Nope, not a good idea.
Then Anne realized one other thing. Gilbert said he knows this bookstore from a girl named Ruby and she came here once with Diana, Moody, Fred, and Roy. That sounds like a group of friends that came here a couple of months ago. She remembers talking to the girls and forgot to ask their names and one of the guys tried to flirt with her.
“Do the girls have raven and blonde hair?”
“Yes! You remember them?”
Anne feels like this day couldn’t get any better. She finally met again with her dream guy and his friends are probably the ones that she wants so badly to be friends with but didn’t get the chance.
“Of course! They were so sweet even though we only spoke for like two minutes. I was devastated that we didn’t get a chance to properly introduce each other because I was so busy that day.” Anne said cheerily.
“The feelings are mutual with them. They told me about it. They want to come to visit but they’ve been busy with work and it’s quite far to get here.”
Anne feels her heart beating faster to her ribcage. He said that he lives near Tillie’s and U of T which means he lives near her too which is more than twenty minutes drive to Willowdale. Anne knew for a fact there are lots of bookstores near U of T, he could easily buy books in those bookstores but he chose to drove all the way here.
Maybe it was not only because of the books. For the first time since she met Gilbert, Anne let herself hope. She inhales a shaky breath before speaking.
“Yet you still come here even though it’s far just to buy books?”
“Yes. What can I say? I found the same copy of Leaves of Grass that was nowhere to be found in other places and I’m in love…” he paused and stares at her eyes with determination. “with books this Bookstore Girl had recommend me.”
Anne nearly falls onto the floor at his response. She doesn’t need words to understand that it’s not just the books that he was in love with and that made her blushed hard. She smiled at him to let him know that she understood because right now she was speechless.
This is all too much for just one day, she can’t take it all in so Anne did what she knew best to avoid further talks that will make her fluster; she diverting it to other topics.
“Can I meet Diana and Ruby?” Anne asked almost breathlessly.
“Of course you can! I’ll arrange it for you, I think it’ll be better to make it a surprise for them. What do you think?” he suggested a brilliant idea. It feels like they know each other for a long time; Anne loves surprises.
“I love making surprises. And I actually live near Tillie’s which means we live close to each other. It’ll be easier to plan a surprise! I can’t believe that we’re acquaintance with Tillie but never cross each other before.” She said.
Gilbert smiling widely, even wider than when he talked with his niece. “Well Anne Shirley-Cuthbert, I think we are bound to meet no matter what.” He said confidently.
That elicited a giggle from Anne. She agreed wholeheartedly because her friends are very keen to set her up with Gilbert even before she knows it was him. They will surely meet at some point in their life as if there’s a string that connects the both of them.
Gilbert’s phone chimed, he looked at it and chuckled. He told Anne that he needs to go because his niece is waiting for him. Anne felt slightly disappointed but when she remembers that tomorrow they will see each other again, she felt relief.
The both of them said their goodbyes and waved to each other. When Gilbert was out of the bookstore and crossing the street, Anne jogs to the front door and stands there - watching him entering his car. He glanced back in her direction and waving his hand again, she waved back and he left.
Unlike the last time when she saw him left, Anne feels her heart was soaring with happiness at the prospect of tomorrow’s meeting. She will meet him again and she knows it. A smile tugging on her lips.
Anne walked back inside and took her phone that lays on the desk. She was typing something and smiling as she hit the send button.
Anne needs a boyfriend
(10:32) Anne: I’m in love with this man I met two weeks ago!
(10:32) Cole: I knew it! Who is the lucky guy?!
(10:32) Josie: ABOUT TIME! You need to spill the details tho, Anne!! Who is it?
(10:32) Jane: Wait… what?!!! I’m excited! But anne! What about the guy that Tillie and I told you about?
(10:32) Tillie: Oh MY GOODNESS FINALLY! Jane just shut up, it doesn’t matter anymore. She’s in love!
(10:33) Lucy: Must you fall in love while I’m in London? Nevertheless, I’m so happy for you, Anne! He’s a lucky man!
(10:33) Daryl: 😏😏😏
Anne chuckles softly reading all her friends’ immediate reactions. Jane will absolutely lose her shit when she knows it’s the same man that she insisted on her so much.