Going to do my best to get this finished so it's not sitting on my proverbial stack of unfinished work. As always, please read and review.

Chapter Ten – Browsing Stacks and Photographs

I pushed open the door to Goldsboro Books and had to look around for a minute before deciding which section I wanted to browse through first as I could never make up my mind any other time I'd come in here previously. Reaching a decision, I led us over to the Classics because I didn't have enough of those, right? However, Connor was doing his best to keep his head down and not be noticed, and to be honest, it was kind of comical.

"Maybe you should've worn a hood in here if you didn't want to be recognized." I said, skimming over the titles, trying to decide what I wanted.

"Joke's on me, I s'ppose," he replied, facing the shelf as a group of teenagers passed us to go to the small café in the store. "More in'erested in spendin' time wit ya, I didn't tink 'bout it."

"Ever think you'll get over it?" I asked, pulling a copy of Heart of Darkness and flipping through the pages.

"Hope so. Kinda sick of livin' like dis, ta be honest wit ya," he looked around for a moment then directed his attention towards me. "Almost feel like a hermit crab, ya know?"

I laughed a little. "Not really but I can't imagine it leaves you any room to have much fun, unless you prefer going out at night," I thought about that for a minute. "Of course, with my crazy schedule, night may be the only time we could go out."

"True, but not somet'ing I wanna keep doin' fer da rest of my life."

"So, get over it and get on with life," I said with a bit of exasperation. I realized that I said it a bit harshly but if it got it through his obviously thick skull then bravo.

"Point taken, lass. Point taken." He smiled at me.

"Let's hope so," I made up my mind to get Heart of Darkness, along with Pride and Prejudice and The Picture of Dorian Gray. "You mind if we look around some more? Kinda wanna find a collection of either Douglas Adams or H.P. Lovecraft's works."

"Watever ya wanna do, girl. Tink I'll step out ta finish me smoke from earlier."

"Alright. I'll be here," and I watched as he practically darted for the exit, not like it would make any difference if he was spotted by a fan anyway. Shaking my head in amusement, I went over to the shelves where the collection books were and quickly found The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. "This'll do," I said to myself and picked up the hefty book. "Might take me a while to get through it though." As I was thumbing through the contents, I started walking to the checkout but accidentally bumped into someone. Someone I immediately recognized. "Oh, 'ello Mark."

"Julia. Apologies, I didn't see you there."

"Clearly," I responded. He seemed a bit nervous as he was scratching the back of his short black hair, and his blue eyes were darting back and forth. "So, how've ya been?" I asked. Not like I really gave a shit because the asshole had dumped me about two months ago but who was I to hold a grudge when that had opened up the opportunity for me to date Connor?

"Doing alright, I guess. You?"

"Can't complain," I shrugged and readjusted my stack of books. "Still at the coffeeshop, still attending university." I omitted the fact that I was dating someone else already as he would learn that soon enough.

"Nice that you're keeping busy," he looked at me for a minute then away again. "Maybe I'll stop in and say hi one day, if that's okay."

"Won't raise a fuss if ya do, although Ange might," I let that sink in and saw him reconsidering the idea. Angelina may as well have been my elder sister with how she acted sometimes. "She wasn't too thrilled with you when you decided to end our relationship."

"Neither were you, if I recall," he retorted, "but, I know now it was a pretty stupid thing to do. Been kicking myself for it ever since."

I was about to say he was too late to do anything about it but I saw Connor come back in and waved him over to where I was. My ex-boyfriend turned to see who I was waving to and I watched in amusement while his jaw dropped as the blonde writer put an arm around my shoulders and planted a kiss on my cheek.

"Find wat ya wanted, lass?" he asked me.

"Yep. Was about to checkout when I ran into someone I knew. Literally." I turned my attention back to Mark, who looked as if someone had socked him. "Connor, this is Mark." I introduced them while trying not to let my demeanor slip.

"Pleasure, mate," my boyfriend held out a hand to my ex, who took it rather reluctantly.

"Same here," Mark said as he eyed me a bit maliciously, which only served to give me a deeper satisfaction. "I was in here, looking for the next bestseller when I ran into Julia. Didn't know she was here with someone."

"Was out 'avin a smoke while she was lookin' fer her books."

"I see," I could tell he was having difficulty keeping his composure but like I said, I didn't really care. "So, do you work at the coffeeshop too?"

"Nah, I write books. Matter-a-fact, if yer lookin' fer a bestseller, check mine out. Came out earlier dis year." I was a bit astonished that he was suggesting this since he was so worried about being hounded by groupies but maybe he was taking my advice to heart.

"What did you write?" Mark asked, genuinely curious now.

"The Boondock Saints," the Irishman said with a sort of nonchalance.

"No way! That was you?" He nodded. "Well, hot damn! Never thought I'd meet the author of some of my favorite books. Mind if I get a picture of you?"

I watched as Connor hesitated a bit then gave in. "A'right."

I moved away as my ex got his mobile out to snap the photograph but then he stopped me. "You get in there too, Julia, if you don't mind."

I thought that was a bit weird but then again, the guys always was strange. "Okay," I said but put my books down first then put my arm around Connor as he did the same to me.

"That's it! Perfect!" Mark lowered his mobile and checked the quality of the shot, which he seemed satisfied with. "Thanks again!"

"Anytime, mate. Anytime. Ready ta go, lass?"

"Yep," I answered, gathering my books. "See ya around, Mark."

"See ya, Julia," he said, waving as we walked off.

"So, how do ya know dat guy?"

"He was my boyfriend until about two months ago when he dumped me out of the blue," I explained. "I never got a reason but I have a guess." I paid for my new reading material and we exited the bookshop. "I think it was because I wouldn't have sex with him after only dating for six months. He started pressuring me about it but I kept refusing, telling him I didn't want to until I was sure. Then, while I was working, he had the audacity to come in there and break up with me in front of my co-workers and customers." I pushed down my rising anger. "If the place hadn't been crowded, Ange would've jumped the counter and laid him out. And Tom would've let her too."

"Looks like ya got over da sex t'ing real quick."

I turned scarlet across my cheeks. "That's putting it lightly, but I wanted to do it with you, so there ya go."

"No complaints from me. Be happy ta do dat wit ya e'ery night, if ya want."

"Have to start buying condoms in bulk if we're gonna do that." I heard Big Ben start chiming, indicating that it was already three in the afternoon. "Don't you have to meet Rocco soon?"

"Shit! Forgot all 'bout dat! Let's get back ta my place and I'll ring em on da way." He dialed his friend as we walked quickly. "Roc? Ya on yer way over?" I couldn't hear what was said on the other end but figured I'd hear about it later anyway. "A'right. Be der soon. Out wit Julia and lost track of da time. See ya," and he hung up. "He's on his way, so should get der 'bout da same time."

"Let's make sure we don't keep him waiting," I said, and we practically ran through the London streets.

Mark Bruner watched as his ex-girlfriend left with her author-boyfriend then looked back at the picture he'd taken with a sense of glee. Suppressing an excited squeal, he pocketed his phone then went to look at the bestsellers to make sure the guy wasn't blowing smoke. Picking up the latest Boondock Saints installment, he flipped to the inside back cover and, sure enough, there was the guy's picture, wearing the same coy grin.

"Connor MacManus," the transplanted American said to himself. "Who would've thought when I dumped her, she'd end up with him? Talk about a serious rebound." Deciding to purchase the book, he went over to the checkout then left Goldsboro to find something for a late lunch. On the way, he thought, 'I really did make a mistake breaking up with her but I thought it would've taken her longer to bounce back. Shows what I know,' he stopped at a local burger place and ordered a mushroom-swiss with chips to go. 'Although, if I want her back, I'm going to have to think of something pretty devious.' He thought to the picture in his phone and got an idea. It may have been a brutal one but it may have the desired results as he knew how much his ex-girlfriend hated the limelight. She even told him once that she despised getting her school yearbook picture taken as she thought she wasn't photogenic in any sense.

"Thanks, Terry," he said to the server as his order was delivered then he walked to where he stayed on the more northern side of London. On the way, Mark devised a plan, be it an absurd one, to get Julia away from Connor and back to him. Of course, there was always the possibility it could backfire if she ever found out he was the one who implemented it but if it worked… well, all the better for him.

Arriving at his house, he went inside and up to his office where he did most of his writing for various newspapers, magazines, and other publications. He wrote anything from news coverage to gossip, and what he was about to do now would be considered some of the juiciest gossip he'd probably ever write. Connor MacManus was known as a sort of recluse, even though he did go on book tours, he wasn't one to mingle with fans, so for him to be out in public with a new lady; it'd be sensational, to say the least. Of course, Mark would send the piece off to his contact for it to be published under their name but he'd still receive the paycheck all the same.

The ambitious writer called up his Skype account and punched in the user name of his contact. After a few computer rings, the video screen displayed a redheaded woman with brown eyes, wearing a stylish suit. "Afternoon, Mark." She said.

"How you doing Marley," he asked.

"Fair enough. You got something for me?" She didn't beat around the bush as she knew what he was calling about.

"You better believe it, sis. I got something your editor's gonna love." He knew his older sister would polish what he sent her and put her own editorial spin on it, but as long as it got published, he didn't care. And, of course, as long as he got paid.

"Ready when you are, little brother," Marley opened a new file to start a rough draft of what Mark was about to relay to her.

"I doubt you're ready to hear this," and he started to tell her what he wanted to write.

"Hey, Connor! There you are! Was wondering if I was gonna have to come back later."

"Apologies, Roc," Connor said as we walked up to his friend. "Like I said, lost track of time but we're 'ere now."

"True. How's it goin', Julia?" Rocco asked me.

"Pretty good, Roc. Pretty good. Had an interesting encounter at the bookshop, but I'll tell ya about that later." I noticed then that he was only carrying three duffel bags packed full of stuff. "That all you got?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Yeah. Didn't have much to begin with, and most of the stuff at my old place belongs to Donna anyway."

"Don worry, Roc. Ya know I'll 'elp ya wit anyt'ing ya need."

"Much appreciated, Connor. How 'bout we get this junk of mine inside? I just wanna chill for a while after all the bullshit I've been through the last two weeks."

"Follow me." The blonde writer led us inside then up to the fourth floor where his flat was. "Sorry 'bout da mess," he said as we stepped inside. "'Aven't had da chance ta clean up."

"Like I told you earlier, this place is cleaner than mine any day. Think you're a bit OCD."

"Maybe, but ya can't object ta 'avin' a clean livin' space."

"Way more organized than where I left," Rocco commented, setting his bags down on the sofa. "Donna never picked up for shit and I always ended up doing it just so there'd be clean dishes to eat off of. After doing it so many damn times though, I started strictly getting take-out, which was probably smart cuz the druggie bitch couldn't cook either." His stomach growled then. "Which reminds me: I should probably eat something since I haven't had anything all day."

"Not a bad idea," my boyfriend seconded. "Could use somet'ing meself after all da coffee I've had."

"If you guys don't have any objections, I'd be game for some Chinese or Japanese take-out."

"Anything sounds great to me right now," the Italian said with a bit of depression.

"Go ahead and put an order in, lass. I'll front for it when it gets here."

"Alright. Mind if I use your laptop to find somewhere?"

"Be my guest, love." I sat down at his very well-organized desk and typed in 'Chinese restaurants that deliver,' along with the zip code. Scrolling down through the list, I found one that actually had a five-star rating, with raving reviews to back it up, and it wasn't too far away.

"Found one. What do ya guys want?"

"Two shrimp rolls, a wonton soup, and sesame chicken for me," Rocco said.

"Moo shu chicken and sweet n' sour chicken, love," Connor ordered.

"Damn, you guys are hungry, aren't ya?" I joked as I put in my own order of chicken with broccoli and crab Rangoon. "Holy hell. You sure you got enough to cover this, Connor?" I asked when I saw the total.

"Don fret it, girl. Wouldn't 'ave offered if I didn't 'ave da cash."

"You said it," I confirmed the order and sent it off then received an email on my mobile, saying it'd take about twenty to thirty minutes to get there. "Right, food's on the way."

"Thanks, Julia, Connor," Rocco said as he started going through his stuff. "Don't know what I'd do without you guys. Probably end up getting myself killed cuz I'd go off and do something stupid."

"No talkin' like dat now, Roc. Told ya me and Murph would look out fer ya, no matter wat.

"Yeah, I know. Guess I can't believe this is happening since I've been with Donna for so long. Never thought she'd kick me out."

"What's done is done," I said. "And don't be afraid to call on me or Ange if you need something, okay?"

"Okay, Julia," he smiled, probably for the first time that day.

"Glad ta see ya two are gettin' along," Connor grinned at us then moved toward the icebox. "Anyone want a brew while we're waitin' fer lunch?"

"Thought ya'd never ask, man."

"So, what do ya think?"

"That's a hell of a gossip story, Mark, bit I'm gonna need something a bit more concrete before I present it to Harry. You know by now how he operates."

"What the hell more do you need? The picture's not enough?"

"More pictures would help, along with a bit more insight as to who this girl is. For all you know, it could just be a random fling after MacManus's botched engagement."

While he hated to admit it, Marley was right. The author's planned engagement had been a huge hit to his image, thus papers flew off the newsstands. After that, he'd retreated from the public just before going on his last book tour, and even that had limited appearances.

"Alright, sis. I'll see what more I can dig up. She may be my ex but I want her back more than anything."

"So, that's what this is all about," His sister quipped. Mark slapped his forehead. He wasn't supposed to reveal his motives for wanting this publicized! "You never cease to amaze me with your weakness for women, little brother, but I'd have to say, this one trumps them all. You really think exposing her love life is going to bring her back to you?"

"It might," he said meekly. "Once she sees what he's really like, she might tell him to take a hike."

"Or it could bite you in the arse," the reporter sighed. "But I'll at least consider writing it, but you have to bring me more or this ain't happening."

"Don't worry about that, sis. I'll get you what you want. See ya," and he severed the Skype link. The question was: how was he going to get what he needed? He sure as hell couldn't ask anyone at Café Bean because they all hated his guts, and Julia didn't have any family, so that was out. Wait a minute? Didn't MacManus have a brother? That could be a start, especially if the guy was desperate for money. Rumors had circulated that the brothers weren't exactly on the best of terms since Connor's writing success, making Murphy more than a bit jealous but there had to be something deeper than that.

"I think it's time to head to the city's archives and do some digging. Wonder if Deanna still works there, and if she does, I know I can charm my way in." Grabbing his digital voice recorder and cell phone, Mark headed back out to find the information he needed to get his girlfriend back.