A/N: Okay, so, I checked the stats on this story and it had around 15 views! I don't know if that's a lot, or very few, but either way, I'm super excited. Only got one favorite/follow/review (thanks ChasingMyDreams87), but I'm still happy. Hopefully this chapter is a bit better than the last one. It's still pretty short, but the chapters should get longer once we get further into the story. I hope you guys like it!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything you might recognize.
She couldn't find the words to speak, but it wasn't out of awe. It was more of the confusion and surprise over the situation. Why would he do this? Why would he want a tiny bookstore at the end of the block? How did he even know about it?! These questions swarmed around inside of Ryan's head, but she couldn't bring herself to say much.
"Why?" The word barely slipped past her lips in a breathy whisper, but it seemed to get the man's attention.
"I grew up here. This bookstore was everything to me before I moved out to LA. It was a hideaway when I was little, and my first job as a teen." He used his hands as he spoke, gesturing to the little shop. "I don't... I don't think I could imagine my life without it here." He sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets and refusing to look at anything but the building standing before him.
"You don't even live here anymore!" Ryan finally regained her mentality and spoke with such force, it caused the Latino to stumble backwards. Alex, who was still standing beside beside her, let out a small chuckle.
"We-well, I still come back to, uh, to visit my-my family..." He stuttered as he spoke, finally seeing the girl's true nature.
"When was the last time yo-" Her interrogation was cut off by Alex slapping a hand over her mouth. She glared up at him, and he couldn't help but smirk.
"Sorry, she uh, gets that way sometimes... She really appreciates it, she's just confused and being stupid," he said, looking at the new owner of the store, then back to his friend. He smirked once more, seeing her furious expression, but it soon disappeared when she bit his palm.
"Ow!" Alex yelped, and it was Ryan's turn to smirk.
"Quit whining, you deserved it," she said, emphasizing her point by slapping his arm.
"Ow!" He screeched once again, this time causing Ryan to laugh. "Well, I'm glad my pain brings you pleasure!" The sarcasm in his voice clearly evident.
"Oh, it does!" She said between fits of laughter. Both friends forgot there was someone else present until they heard a light chuckle. They looked up to see the man's amused smirk.
"Uh, sorry..." was all Alex could manage, whereas Ryan had gone back to her previous state: rigid, stern, and attentive.
"Nahh, don't worry about it," said the man with a wave of his hand. "I'm used to the banter. It's pretty entertaining anyway," he punctuated his statement with a breathy laugh, lightening the mood.
"Why does this place mean so much to you if you're only here every so often?" Ryan resumed her previous questioning.
"Look, I come here to visit my family, but also to relax. My job takes a toll on me, and it's nice to have something to come home to. I love my family, but I also need time alone."
"How come I've never seen you here, huh? I practically live here. I know all the customers and employees, yet I've never seen you before."
"When I leave LA, I don't really leave my job. I get recognized everywhere I go, so I sometimes have to try and hide."
"I realize that, but I'm pretty sure I would've recognized you, Carlos." She addressed him by name for the first time during their exchange.
"Really? You would've recognized me?" he said in a teasing voice, trying to hold back his grin. "You a fan?"
"Th-that's beside the point!" exclaimed Ryan, unable to hide the blush creeping up on her face.
"Alright, alright!" Carlos surrendered, adding to it by putting both hands in the air, still smiling. "But either way, I own this place now, and I intend to keep it up and running, even when I'm in LA," he said in a determined voice.
"But-" she was cut off once again.
"Ryan, just shut up and be happy! The shop is here to stay. God, this is what I mean when I say that you are such a pessimist!" Alex ended his statement by punching her in the arm.
"Fine. Whatever," she replied, shoulders sagging in defeat.
"Now, shall we go in?" questioned Carlos, rubbing his hands together.
"Why are you so against this, Ry?" The two of them were unpacking the books and restocking the shelves while Carlos finalized the sale. Ryan succumbed to the fact that he was going to be the owner, but she still seemed tense and distracted.
"Because, Alex, I know what's gonna happen. Trust me, I know he's a good guy, but how is he gonna manage this from California? It's across the country from where he lives, and he already has enough on his plate!"
Alex sighed, "Just because he owns it doesn't make him the manager. He'll oversee everything that goes on, but he'll probably hire someone to take care of the place."
"I don't know Alex, I just don't have a good feeling about this. And what'll happen when word gets out that he owns this shop?" Ryan sighed, leaning back against a shelf.
"Then we'll be swarming with customers! This place will be packed-" The realization dawned on him as he spoke the words. "Oh, Ryan, is that what's wrong? You think it'll be taken over? That we'll lose our safe place?"
She nodded sheepishly, not wanting to have to say it.
Alex wrapped his arms around her, encasing her in his warmth. The two just stood there for a moment, thinking about what was to come. Alex finally looked down at her, gray eyes meeting hazel. He spoke softly, but surely.
"I promise, this bookstore will always be our sanctuary, and no pop star or crazy fans could take that away from us."
A/N: Well, that's it... Not great, but I'd love you if guys reviewed/followed/favorited (; I promise, it'll get better.