Rose read the brief message from GG.

FP,

I'm sorry things have been quiet between us recently. There were some developments in my personal life that I thought might lead to something...anyway, the point is that's all over with now and to be honest, I feel as if I need your friendship more than ever.

GG

Her heart went out to him. She constructed a response and sent it.

GG,

It's nice to hear from you but I'm so sorry that it sounds as if you are having a rough time, I'm having a rough time right now too. Why is it whenever life gives you something good, it snatches it away cruelly seconds later? I'm here. Talk to me. I could use a friend too.

FP

She was surprised when she received a quick response. He was online right now. Why did that make her heart speed up?

Who the hell hurt you? Tell me and I'll hunt them down for you.

GG

How sweet was that? Rose smiled and responded.

:-) Thanks, but I've honestly got enough people mixed up in this mess as it is. I just want to forget about the whole thing and get on with my life.

FP

I feel the same way. It sounds as if we could both use a bit of cheering up. Why don't we have an online meet up later? I'm going to need some alcohol and I don't really fancy drinking alone.

GG

It's a date. :-)

FP

Should she have said 'it's a date?' Oh well, too late to change it now. She had been surprised when GG had replied so quickly. She hadn't expected him to be accessing his emails at that exact moment in time. She was glad that they had arranged to talk later. She hadn't been relishing the idea of sitting alone in her flat feeling sorry for herself.

'So you two are gonna chat later?'

Rose jumped and looked over her shoulder at Rey who was leaning in her doorway with her arms crossed over her chest.

'Who gave you permission to read my private messages?' she retorted.

'I'm just looking out for you, you're vulnerable right now and you're on the rebound, you bring alcohol into that complicated situation? I bet you two end up cyber sexting each other's brains out.'

'Rey!'

'I'm just saying, these are the kind of situations that lead to cyber sex with your online pen pals. It's a tale as old as time.'

'Maybe that's how it is for you, Rey, but it's not like that between us two.'

'Whatever you say...just promise me one thing eh? Make sure you use protection. Update your antivirus software,' she winked and ran off leaving Rose gawping at her.

Later that evening, as Rose sat at her computer with her glass of red waiting for GG to message her, she thought about what Rey had said. She shook her head and laughed at herself. That wasn't going to happen. There was no way. She didn't even know what he looked like.

That kinda makes it more exciting though doesn't it?

She finished her drink and poured herself another.

This was the first time they would be engaging in an instant chat conversation and she was more than a little nervous.

GG: Hey,

Her heart hitched in her chest when she saw the message pop up on her screen.

FP: Hi

GG: you ready to drink our troubles away together?

FP: Waaaay ahead of you…

GG: Hold on let me catch up then. Brb.

FP: What are you drinking?

GG: Whiskey

FP: Naturally

GG: What does that mean?

FP: I just always imagined you as a whiskey drinker.

GG: What are you drinking?

FP: Some cheap Californian Red

GG: Next time I should send you some of my personal reserve.

FP: You have a personal reserve? Fancy!

GG: I'm a bit of a collector of rare bottles. I like the history and the story behind them.

FP: That actually sounds really interesting.

GG: You are the only one who thinks so. Most people glaze over when I start talking about it.

FP: Not me.

GG: And that's just one of a hundred reasons that you are special to me.

Rose let out a shaky breath.

FP: That comment helped mend my broken heart somewhat so thank you.

GG: I wish you would tell me who hurt you.

FP: It's old news.

Rose snorted at the unintended pun.

GG: I hope they know what they've lost.

FP: I think that's what hurts the most. It seemed like it was all a cruel joke from the start. I'm not even sure he really cared about me.

GG: I'm sure that's not true. Speaking on behalf of my sex, we can be a bit dense sometimes but we know when we lose something precious. This is also something I have personal experience in, unfortunately.

FP: The girl that let you go must be a fool.

GG: She was the best thing in my life and I hurt her so badly she won't even see me and I have no one to blame but myself.

FP: Maybe she'll forgive you.

GG: No it's over. She deserves better than me.

FP: Don't say that.

GG: It's true.

FP: Love always finds a way.

GG: I wish I could believe that.

FP: Do you love her?

GG: ….

GG: I think I do. Do you love him?

FP: It's complicated.

GG: Tell me about it.

Rose laughed out loud.

FP: I'm sorry that you're suffering but it feels nice to have company.

GG: Ditto.

FP: I'm on my third glass.

GG: Hang on. Right, pouring my third glass now.

Rose imagined what it would be like to taste the whiskey on his lips. Where had that come from? She blamed the alcohol. But would it be so bad to try and cultivate a relationship with GG? They obviously liked each other and they were both hurting. What if he was meant to be her destiny all along and she missed out on him because she was still hung up on Hux?

She bit her lip. He hadn't wanted to meet her when she suggested it. But that was then. Maybe things had changed? She finished her glass.

FP: Do you think we should meet?

GG: Definitely.

Three days later, Ben and Hux walked down the darkened street to the cafe where Hux and Rose had agreed to meet.

'So tell me again why the hell I'm here?' Ben asked.

'Because this girl might be the one and I'm terrified. Too terrified to go in there blind. I screwed up with Rose. I can't screw up with this girl too. I just can't.'

'So I just walk up to the door and take a look?'

'Yes.'

'How will I know which one is here?'

'She will have a copy of Pride and Prejudice with a Red Rose peeking out of the top.'

'Could you two be anymore adorable?'

They reached the cafe and Hux glared at Ben.

'Just go look.'

'Sure thing.'

Ben ran up the stairs to the door of the cafe. Hux stayed on the pavement. He wrapped his fingers around the iron fence nearby so tightly, his knuckles turned white.

'Okay, it's busy in there,' Ben frowned as he squinted through the window in the door.

'Ahhh! I see the book and the flower.'

Hux's heart stopped.

'Can you see her?'

'Not yet the waiters in the way, oh wait, he's moving.'

Ben's eyes widened but he stayed silent.

'What is it?' Hux shouted impatiently.

'I see her.'

'And?'

'She is very pretty.'

Hux let out a sigh of relief.

'I knew she would be,' he said with a small smile.

'Hux, can I make a suggestion?'

'Sure.'

'Don't go in there.'

'Why not?'

Ben came back down the stairs and stood in front of Hux.

'Right now you're still hung up on Rose. Do you really want this girl to be your rebound? If you want this to be something real… I suggest you wait. You wait until you can see clearer.'

Hux looked at Ben. The two hadn't always seen eye to eye but Ben had always been honest with him and he trusted his judgement.

'You're right. I can't go in there right now. Not when I'm so messed up about Rose. But what do I do? I can't stand her up.'

'I'll take care of it. I'll have the waiter tell her you rang with a message.'

'Thanks Ben, you're a good friend.'

'No problem.'

Hux looked longingly up the steps.

'I probably shouldn't look huh?'

'I don't think so, too much of a temptation.'

'I'm just going to go home and feed Milli.'

'Good idea.'

'Will you tell me how she takes the news?'

'Absolutely.'

Hux nodded and walked away. Ben wailed until Hux was clear of the building then he went up the stairs and entered the cafe.

Luckily the shop was busy and Rose didn't look up from her coffee when Ben entered. Ben handed a waiter a twenty dollar bill and asked him to deliver a message to Rose. He placed his order with the barista behind the counter and watched out the corner of his eye as the first waiter approached Rose's table. She looked disappointed as he relayed the information.

As soon as Ben received his coffee order, he walked over to Rose's table. He stood in front of her and smiled.

'Hey,' he said gently.

Rose looked up with wide eyes.

'You're not—'

'Not who?' Ben asked.

Rose shook her head.

'I'm just waiting for someone and I thought you were him, but that's silly because the waiter just told me that he called to say he isn't coming.'

'Oh I see. This just happens to be one of my favourite coffee shops. I didn't expect to see you here but now that I have you alone, I wanted to ask if I could talk with you?'

'You're Ben, right?' Rose said.

'Yes, and you're Rose,' Ben said with a smile.

Ben sat down.

'If this is about Hux, I don't want to hear it,' Rose warned.

'Please Rose, he really cares about you and something has come to my attention recently that has led me to firmly believe that you two belong together.'

Rose felt tears spring to her eyes.

'I don't want to talk about this,' she said quietly.

'Rose, I don't want to make you feel uncomfortable. It's just that. I know how it feels. I know how it feels to be parted from the one you love. It's hell.'

'You mean Rey, don't you.'

'I do.'

'What happened between you two?'

Ben ran a hand through his hair.

'We met online.'

'What?' Rose's eyes widened. 'I met the man I was waiting for tonight online!'

'How strange,' Ben said with a lop-sided smile.

'Rey and I started just off just chatting then it progressed to...more,' Ben cleared his throat awkwardly.

'I have some relationship issues, I find it hard to trust people, I didn't think she was as into me as I was into her, so I screwed up. Pushed her away. Hurt her badly.'

Ben's face darkened, then suddenly he smiled.

'But now she's giving me a second chance and this time I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize what we have.'

'And now you think I should give Hux another chance.'

'I know what he did was wrong, but he hadn't expected to meet you, Rose. Once he knew how amazing you were, he was terrified to tell you the truth. You should have seen the change in him, Rose. He was whistling for god's sake. I've never heard Hux whistle. Look, this really isn't my business and you have every right to never speak to him or me again, but maybe I was meant to see you here tonight and tell you this. So all I'm saying is that if any part of you still loves him, maybe it's worth another try.'

Rose considered Ben's words.

'I'll think about it.'

'Thank you, Rose. If it helps to sway your decision in anyway, I can vouch for the fact that make up sex is so very worth it.'

Rose laughed.

'I'm glad you and Rey found your way back to one another,' she offered.

'Me too. I can't even hide how happy I am. She has my whole heart.'

'You should tell her that.'

'I will. Everyday.'

Rose smiled at him.

'Well goodbye, Rose,' Ben said standing up to leave.

'Goodbye, Ben,' Rose replied.

The moment Ben was out of the cafe he called Rey.

'Hey Sweetheart, there's something I need to talk to you about, can I come over? No it's not about food. But yes, I can pick up a KFC on the way over. See you soon. I love you, darling.'

He smiled to himself when Rey replied that she loved him too.

Rose woke up the next day to an apology email from GG.

He didn't say why he hadn't met up with her, just indicated that something had kept him from her side and he was desperately sorry for letting her down. She forgave him. Partly because she had realised it was too soon to be considering a relationship with anyone new, and partly because she couldn't stop thinking about what Ben had said to her.

Okay so Hux had lied to her but hadn't they been happy together before all that? Nothing changed the fact that they were mere days away from First Editions opening their doors and ruining her livelihood though.

Rose got ready and went downstairs to the store. She ran her hands over the countertops as she remembered the last. She loved the bookstore so much. It sounded silly, but when she opened the store it was like having Page back again. If she had to give it up now, it would probably break her heart.

But Hux could put you back together…

But would that balance out the fact that he would be the one who broke it in the first place? She didn't know…

The phone rang and made her jump out of her thoughts. She answered it.

'Pages, Rose speaking, how can I help?'

'Hey Rose, it's Rey.'

'Hi, are you running late?'

'No, I'm so sorry Rose, but I'm so sick. Food poisoning. I can't come in today.'

'That's okay, Finn and I will manage without you.'

'Well, that's the other bad news, Finn also has food poisoning.'

'What?'

'I'm sorry! I thought perhaps my cooking had improved! Apparently not.'

'What am I going to do? I have a party of school kids coming in today, I need help.'

'Never fear, I have the solution! Luckily for you I know someone in the book business who can help you.'

Rey breathed out a sigh of relief. Rey has asked Ben to help.

'Are you sure your boyfriend can take time out of his busy schedule to give me a hand?' she asked.

'Oh, no. Not Ben. Someone else. A friend of Ben's. Very knowledgeable about the book business. Great with kids.'

Rose frowned. Anxiety flooded through her.

'Rey, this mystery helped better not be who I think it is…'

Just then the shop bell rang and Armitage entered the store. He looked at her nervously.

'I've come to help, if you'll have me,' he said in a gentle voice.

Rose took one one look at him, and dropped the phone.