The New Days

By Jennifer Carmody

Annabelle, Cole, Zoey, and Austin are now in their thirties and still inseparable. Annabelle owns a bookstore. Cole and Zoey are happily married. Austin owns and lives in the bar across the street from Annabelle's bookstore. Willow, the manager of the coffee shop around the corner joins the group adding her unique eclectic flair. Just as the group gets used to their new dynamic, a new guy comes to town. Liam, a handsome import from England, unknowingly becomes a wedge in this tight knit group.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Sep 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781667852782

Jennifer Carmody

Jennifer Carmody is the author of The New Days series. When she's not writing she can be found in her reading room with a hot coffee, a book and her dog, Wendy. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and disappearing into stories. She lives in South Central Wisconsin.

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© 2022 Jennifer Carmody

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Print ISBN: 978-1-66785-277-5

eBook ISBN: 978-1-66785-278-2

Contents

Annabelle

Zoey

Liam

Annabelle

Austin

Liam

Annabelle

Cole

Liam

Annabelle

Willow

Liam

Annabelle

Willow

Austin

Liam

Cole

Annabelle

Zoey

Willow

Austin

Liam

Cole

Annabelle

Zoey

Willow

Austin

Liam

Cole

Annabelle

Zoey

Annabelle

Austin

Liam

Cole

Willow

Zoey

Annabelle

Austin

Liam

Acknowledgements

For my family

Annabelle

A to Z Books is a two-story bookstore in a brick building on the corner of River Avenue and Cherry Pass in Rockport, Wisconsin. Through the picture window facing the street you can see a large table waiting to display the delicious pastries and aromatic coffees provided by The Daily Grind, a coffee store on the opposite corner of the street. Inside, the store is filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, each wall with its own rolling library ladder. There are comfy chairs and couches with pillows and blankets around every corner encouraging you to grab a seat with a new-found book. There are also worktables and chairs for those readers who like to take notes. The spiral staircase located in the middle of the store leads you upstairs to the non-fiction and reference sections. An old piano is in the corner surrounded by music books from composers and artist biographies to music sheets. The only visible parts of the piano are the keys and the bench. It doesn’t get a lot of use, but when it does, the sound travels throughout the store like magic.

Books have always been a passion for Annabelle Davis. Ever since she can remember, she’s had a book in her hand or at least on her person. They are a way for her to escape the world when it’s all getting to be too much or a way for her to see the world when she’s too scared to go out and see it for herself. That’s why she opened the bookstore three years ago. She wanted to create a place for people like herself to come and be surrounded by books and have the choice of socializing with people or to just be by themselves with a book.

Opening the store has been a dream come true for her. Throughout the years, there have been multiple times a day she has found herself looking around the store, staring at the shelves in disbelief that it was all hers. Her favorite spot in the store was her office.

She had her own reading corner and two workspaces. The reading corner was a must-have for her. There was no way she was going to have an office in a bookstore and not have a comfy space of her own to read. One of the two workspaces was for her professional meetings. It had the essentials: a comfy chair, a large desk and a lap-top. The second workspace, located in the corner of the office on the floor, was for her. There was a thick, fluffy shag carpet for her to sit on and a small low sitting table for her to work at. Ever since she started getting homework in school, she loved to sit on the floor and work. She knew she couldn’t ask authors, managers, accountants and lawyers to sit on the floor.

There was a little more than an hour before the store opened, so she grabbed an ARC (advanced reader copy) book from her desk and curled up in her reading corner. One of her favorite parts of her job was being able to read books before they came out and deciding which ones should be carried in the store. After a half hour had passed, she begrudgingly put down her book and headed to The Daily Grind for the store’s daily pastry and coffee table.

She was greeted with a big smile and hello from the baristas when she walked through the door and into a line that was forming rather quickly behind her. It didn’t matter what time in the morning it was, when she came to pick up her order, there was always a line.

I have your order packed up and ready to go at the end of the counter, Willow said. Willow is the manager of The Daily Grind. She and Annabelle became quick friends after the formation of their business partnership. Willow had long black hair, colored to look like an oil slick. She always wore a headband or some sort of feather in her hair and flowy dresses and rompers in paisley patterns and vibrant colors.

Thanks, Low! Annabelle smiled and waved goodbye while walking out the door.

She was setting up the pastry and coffee table when he walked in. She didn’t know who this man was, but he’d been in the store once a week for the last month. He looked like a Disney prince, like Prince Philip from Sleeping Beauty. He would spend his time in the music section. Some visits he’d buy something, usually sheet music, and others he’d just sit up there and read. She wished he would play the piano. He would walk by it slowly with admiration in his eyes, but he never played it.

Her eyes followed him up the stairs. Out of nowhere, Zoey popped into her line of sight. Zoey had worked at the bookstore with her since day one. They had been friends for as long as she could remember. Their moms were college roommates and had been attached at the hip since the day they met.

Please, tell me you’re going to talk to him today, Zoey said.

Annabelle composed herself and went back to organizing the pastries. I don’t want to bother him. He’s here to read, not to talk.

Zoey grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. He’s totally here for you.

You don’t know that, Annabelle nervously tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

And you don’t know that he’s not. Besides, you can’t get over ‘you know who’ if you don’t get under someone else, Zoey winked and pointed at the stairs.

Annabelle laughed, Yeah, that’s not happening.

You never know what could happen, Zoey shrugged.

She fidgeted with the pastries for a few more minutes and went upstairs. She stopped on the second floor and thought about talking to Prince Philip. She took a step and stopped. After a few deep breaths, she second guessed herself and stepped back on the stairs and went to her office.

Her phone vibrated. Zoey had sent her a text.

Chicken

Rolling her eyes, she put her phone on the table and picked her book up from earlier. Zoey was right. She did completely chicken out. It wouldn’t have been out of line for her to say hi and introduce herself as the store owner. Restaurateurs do it all the time.

***

The day was over, and the doors were locked. Zoey linked her arm with Annabelle’s and they made their way across the street. After work on Friday nights, they went to Shea’s Bar, your typical small-town bar. Brick exterior and a Budweiser sign. The inside was lit with horrendous fluorescent lights and a multitude of neon signs. Two pool tables were located in the back, and there was a jukebox right next to the door. The centerpiece was the bar counter, double sided and shaped like an old mercury thermometer: long and skinny with a large bulb at the end.

Annabelle was only a few steps inside the bar when she was knocked off balance by a hip check from Zoey. Why? Why would you do that? she asked with a tinge of frustration as she tried to regain her footing and rubbed her hip.

My bad. I didn’t mean to bump you so hard, Zoey laughed. I just wanted to pick out some music before we sat down, she said innocently like a child who’d just been reprimanded.

Annabelle rolled her eyes and put money in the jukebox. A familiar voice called to them from the other side of the bar. They turned to see Willow hand in hand with a man they’d never seen before. His hair was bright green and styled in spikes, and he was wearing a patchwork boho shirt with frayed jeans. Annabelle, Zoey, this is my boyfriend Dusk.

Meeting Willow’s new boyfriends was always an adventure. The most recent and now apparently ex-boyfriend was Indigo. He had a man bun and always wore a ratty flannel button-down shirt with tight-fitting hemp jeans. She met him at one of The Daily Grind’s poetry slams. They dated for two weeks. Before him, there was Leaf, Annabelle’s personal favorite. He was bald and had a maple leaf tattoo on his head. She never found out if he got the tattoo because of his name or because he was Canadian. It still bothered her that she never asked. Leaf would braid leaves into his beard for special occasions and liked to wear black pirate shirts, like Westley from The Princess Bride. They also dated for two weeks.

Nice to meet you, Dusk, Annabelle said. He nodded by way of saying hello. She and Zoey shared a quick glance. How long have you and Willow been dating?

Dusk cleared his throat before answering. It will be a week tomorrow. There was another shared glance. Dusk cleared his throat again, We met at the farmers’ market. Zoey unsuccessfully stifled a laugh at Dusk’s second throat clearing.

We just wanted to stop by for a quick hi and bye, Willow said. I’ll see one of you for tomorrow’s order pickup. Willow and Dusk were gone just as quickly as they had appeared.

Ladies, glad you could finally make it, Cole pulled Zoey into a backwards hug and kissed her on the back of the neck. Cole and Zoey were one of those disgustingly adorable married couples that make your heart melt and make you want to vomit at the same time. They’d been together since high school. Did you meet Low’s new boyfriend? The glee of gossip was not hidden in his voice.

I’m just going to say what we’re all thinking. He looks like he’s wearing a quilt, Zoey spun herself out of Cole’s hug and kissed him on the cheek. And that hair? Is he Oscar the Grouch?

Austin, Cole’s younger brother and owner of the bar, was waiting for them at their usual seats with an open beer for Annabelle and Zoey in each hand. He set Zoey’s down on the bar in front of her and waited for Annabelle to sit before handing it to her. They locked eyes for a few seconds, and she quickly looked away, looking anywhere other than in front of her, at him. She caught Cole’s eye. He was worried about her. She smiled, knowing he would find it unconvincing. Thirty years of friendship had its disadvantages. Cole and Austin were her next-door neighbors growing up. They met through a hole in the fence in their backyard. Distract me. Give me one of your facts, Annabelle asked him.

Cole’s head was filled with useless and interesting facts. He loved to share them with anyone who would listen. Did you know there is a hotel in Sweden built out of ice that is rebuilt every year?

What? she squealed in surprise. Who in their right mind would want to spend any amount of time in an ice hotel? It only took a second of reflection. Willow, they said in unison.

The end of the night was closing in on them. It was Annabelle’s favorite part of Friday night. Austin gave them free reign of the jukebox for the last hour the bar was open. It didn’t take long for the locals to start taking their last call at midnight instead of one. They wanted out before the bar was filled with the music of boybands, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift and the like.

You ok? Zoey asked once they were out of earshot from the boys.

Yeah. Another unconvincing answer. She was two for two with those tonight. Did you notice Austin handing me beers all night? And what was with all the heavy eye contact?

Zoey turned from the jukebox. Didn’t you know? Eye contact and gifts are the official apology of the male species?

I must have missed that section in biology class, she laughed.

It’s boy bands tonight. You want American or British? Zoey’s attention was back on the jukebox. To her, the night’s dance music was serious business.

Annabelle looked at her, confused. British. You really had to ask? Annabelle loved British boy bands. She loved them so much, she even paid the extra fee it cost Austin to add them to the jukebox when it was installed. The music started, and before long, she was distracted from everything that had happened.

At 2 a.m., the lights flickered. Her night was over. Those flickering lights meant it was time to go home. Or upstairs to Austin’s loft. Zoey and Cole turned the couch into a bed. She stood in the doorway of Austin’s bedroom, staring at the bed.

You can sleep in here if you want. Annabelle jumped at the sound of Austin’s voice. I mean, you can take the bed and I’ll sleep on the floor.

I don’t think that’s a good idea. Annabelle was still staring at the bed, knowing if she faced him, she would start crying. It was different in the bar. In the bar they were all friends; they were the Core Four, their group’s nickname in high school. But here, in his loft, standing outside his bedroom, they were Austin and Annabelle, and that hurt.

Just take the bed, he sighed. You know you get cold when you sleep on the floor, and you don’t sleep when you’re cold.

He wasn’t wrong, and she really didn’t want to sleep on the floor. This changes nothing. That came out harsher than she intended.

Didn’t think it did, he said sharply.

Not being sure what else there was to say, she walked towards the bed, giving him space to walk into the room. She crawled into bed and shimmied out of her jeans. The bed felt larger without him. She turned onto her other side to get comfortable. His back was to her. He was taking off his shirt. Seeing him shirtless always took her breath away, no matter how she felt about him. He was six foot and built like a Marvel superhero. Not wanting to get caught watching him, she quickly turned to her other side. She heard his shirt hit the floor. He grabbed a few pillows and a throw blanket from the end of the bed. She hoped he wouldn’t try to have another conversation; the first one didn’t go that well and she didn’t think she could handle another.

I’m sorry, he said. It was soft and barely audible, but she heard it.

She drew the covers closer to her face; they were now almost covering her entire head. She didn’t respond. She couldn’t respond.

Austin was still sleeping when she woke up. She slowly lifted the covers off her and moved out of bed trying to make as little noise as possible. She bent down to grab her shoes, and the floor creaked; she froze. She stayed in that same position for what felt like forever waiting for a sign that she had woken him up. When she felt it was safe to move again, she grabbed her shoes and tiptoed out of the room.

The couch was a couch again, and Zoey and Cole were gone. Before leaving, she took one last look in the direction of Austin’s room.

***

Zoey

Zoey was leaning on the bookstore door, with coffees and pastries in hand, when Annabelle showed up for work. Did you forget your keys? Annabelle asked, a little out of breath.

No, Zoey handed Annabelle a coffee. My hands were full, and I knew you’d be here soon. She waited for Annabelle to unlock the door and went inside, hopping onto the customer service desk and waiting impatiently for Annabelle to mention something about last night. Austin’s couch didn’t have a great view of his room, and Cole’s drunk rambling made it impossible for her to hear anything. Ugh, she was going to have to pry the information out of her. So, last night was… she paused, hoping Annabelle would fill in the silence. Nope. Nothing. You’re killing me!

Annabelle sighed. Last night could have gone better. I was a little harsh; I ignored an apology, and I snuck out before he woke up.

Hold up. Wait. He apologized! she jumped off the desk.

Before Annabelle could say any more about last night, Missy walked through the door. She was the newest employee. She’d only been there for a month, and Zoey already wanted her gone. She wore gladiator sandals and rompers that were barely long enough to cover her butt. Her favorite hobbies included clubbing and coming to work hungover and hiding in the bookshelves until her friends came to visit and distract her from work. Zoey didn’t know why Annabelle hadn’t fired her yet. Missy didn’t remove her sunglasses or lift her head from the ground when she waved hello in their general direction.

Good morning, Missy. How are you feeling this morning? Sarcasm dripped from Zoey’s mouth.

Missy’s head twitched at the loudness of Zoey’s voice. She slowly raised her sunglasses. Just great, she croaked. Missy trudged behind the desk and collapsed onto the chair. Zoey knew Missy wouldn’t be leaving that spot until her shift was over.

***

Cole was working on his lesson plans in the dining room when she got home. He was a second-grade teacher, and he loved his job and his students. Their