Atticus Bookstore Cafe Novels & Stories

Lucian looked down at the top of her head. Complex emotions stirred in his eyes. There was warmth, hesitation, and a heavy feeling Tabitha didn't understand. After a long silence, he softly hummed, "Yeah." His voice was lower than usual. Just then, the phone on the table buzzed. Tabitha picked it up. The screen showed a text from an unknown number. It included the address for "Oak Alley Coffee Bookstore" in Seattle. She knew the place well; it was where she first met Joanna.

And the time needed meant eighteen-hour days with two different employers and working on ideas for my little slice of the pie. But the combination cozy bistro and book shop was all mine. Bottega's Bistro and Books had a catchy ring, at least in my opinion. "I'm so glad. How's everything going? Wait, before you tell me. Take a look at that hottie over there. Isn't he something special?" Emily leaned further over the table, licking her lips as she gazed at the other side of the café.

“Fine. Food first.” We ended up in one of those nice restaurants by the mall’s center court — high ceilings, warm lights, quiet booths. Atticus ordered spaghetti and garlic bread, declaring himself “starving,” while I picked at a salad and Alex went for the most expensive burger on the menu like he wasn’t counting calories. After eating, we began gift shopping. And Atticus? He had opinions. Too many. Eventually — after three stores, two almost-arguments, we settled on a lavender-scented bath set with a candle and a hand cream that Atticus finally approved of.

“Thought you might change your mind.” I reached for the door handle. “I’ll book an Uber and go home.” “Zoey.” He sighed like I was being dramatic. “Relax and look opposite.” I followed his gaze and frowned. Across the street, directly facing the grand glass entrance of the Allister Hotel, was a café, small and old-fashioned, the kind with chipped paint and handwritten menus and potted plants that looked like they were fighting for survival. “That?” I asked. He smirked. “Yeah. That.”

[Tabitha’s POV] I watch Atticus’ retreating form as he lets the pretty bartender that had been speaking with us earlier lead him into a back room. Despite knowing that it was none of my business what was going on between the two, I couldn’t ignore the sudden thrum of possessiveness I feel while the urge to follow hits me.

“Do you think the bookstore next to Wixon still has it?” Valencia leaned on the kitchen counter near the sink, tapping her fingers on the ceramic surface. “Yeah, trust me the last time I visited that bookstore down on 2nd street was 2 days ago. it was a recent visit so I’m sure they still have a few left in the Non-fiction section.” The voice on the phone said.

Greta and Gabby made their way to Page Turner’s Bookstore just down the street from the Blue Moon Inn. Once inside the warmth of the large shop, Greta was surprised to see a bright modern shop, which included not only a metaphysical section, but my children’s section, too. With soft upbeat music playing in the background, it didn’t take long to find the shopkeeper chatting away to a rather wild looking dog by a fireplace.

, Sandy spoke as she entered the office. "Yes.", She stood from her seat and walked out with Sandy. After 20 minutes in a café called "Rest here". "Is this the address?", Aditi spoke as she saw the café. "Yes, Manager. But manager, if I remember, isn't this your favourite café?", Sandy asked as she saw her manager coming here several times after some hectic work. "Let's go in.", Aditi walked in. Sandy tagged along. Aditi orders her favorite caffé latte and revised the meeting details that's about to happen after this meeting.

If this was a trap, better one of us fall than both. He'd argued. Of course he'd argued. But in the end, he understood. Some doors only open for one person. The bookstore was called "Between the Pages." A narrow storefront on a quiet street, windows fogged with salt air, a hand-painted sign creaking in the wind. I stood across the street for ten minutes, watching. Trying to see if this was real or another layer of the game. Then I crossed and pushed open the door. --- The bell above the door chimed softly.