Chapter 14

Chapter Fourteen

Sophia

T he gentle hum of my laptop fan fills the quiet of my apartment as I put the finishing touches on my latest article. The piece about the Reading Oasis unveiling has garnered more attention than I expected, and my editor is already clamoring for a follow-up on the mobile library project.

A soft ping from my phone draws my attention. It's a message from Jake:

Coffee date at our spot in thirty? I've got news .

I feel a smile tugging at my lips as I type a quick response.

"On my way!"

I grab my bag and head out the door, a flutter of excitement in my stomach.

Coffee Loft is bustling as always when I arrive, the afternoon crowd in full swing. I spot Jake behind the counter, his face lighting up as our eyes meet. He gestures towards our usual corner table, where two steaming mugs are already waiting.

"Hey, beautiful," he greets me with a quick kiss as I approach. "Lofty Spiced Vanilla Latte, just how you like it."

"You spoil me," I tease, settling into my seat. "So, what's this news you couldn't wait to share?"

Jake's eyes sparkle with excitement as he leans in. "You know how we've been reaching out to local businesses for the mobile library project?"

I nod, taking a sip of my latte. "Did we get some sponsors?"

"Better," he grins. "Remember that tech startup, InnovatED? They want to partner with us. Not just sponsor, but actually collaborate on the project."

My eyes widen. "Seriously? That's amazing, Jake! What exactly are they proposing?"

"They want to outfit the bus with tablets and e-readers," Jake explains, his enthusiasm infectious. "They're developing an app that can track reading progress, recommend books, even connect kids with online tutoring services. They see the mobile library as the perfect way to test their platform and get it into underserved communities."

I lean back, processing this information. "Wow. That could really take this project to the next level. But..." I hesitate, a thought occurring to me.

Jake's brow furrows slightly. "But what?"

"It's just... won't this change the nature of the project a bit? I mean, we started out wanting to bring physical books to kids who might not have access to them. Adding all this tech... I don't know, doesn't it feel like it's moving away from our original vision?"

Jake nods slowly, considering my words. "I get what you're saying. But think about it this way—we're not replacing the physical books, we're supplementing them. This could open up so many more opportunities for these kids. Imagine being able to access thousands of books at the touch of a button or getting help with homework even if there's no one at home who can tutor them."

I can see the passion in his eyes, the genuine belief that this could make a difference. It's one of the things I love most about him—his unwavering commitment to helping others.

"Besides, did I mention they also want to cover the cost of the school bus?" Jake asks. "Just the used bus. We're still on the hook for any funds to restore it."

"That's generous of them." I'm wondering how they'll get enough out of this collaboration to justify the cost of a used school bus. I've done the homework. They aren't exactly cheap.

"It is." Jake studies me carefully. "Let's hear them out and see if they come through with the bus. It would be good publicity for them thanks to all the buzz you've been creating. Could turn into a mutually beneficial relationship."

"You're right," I concede, reaching across the table to take his hand. "It's a big change. But if anyone can make it work, it's you."

Jake squeezes my hand, his smile soft. "Us. We're in this together, remember?"

The warmth in his gaze makes my heart skip a beat. It's still hard to believe sometimes, that we've gone from colleagues to... this.

"So," I say, trying to refocus on the project, "what's our next step?"

Jake pulls out his ever-present notebook. "We need to set up a meeting with the InnovatED team, go over their proposals in detail. And we should probably loop in Elena and Mr. Thompson, get their input."

I nod, already making mental notes. "I can reach out to my contact at the school board too. See if we can get their official backing for the project."

As we dive into planning mode, bouncing ideas back and forth, I'm struck by how natural this feels. Working with Jake, building something meaningful together—it's exhilarating.

"Oh," Jake says suddenly, looking up from his notes. "I almost forgot. I got a call from the mayor's office today about the Fall Festival."

I lean forward, intrigued. "What did they say? Are we still on track?"

Jake nods, a hint of excitement in his smile. "More than that. They're thrilled with our plans. The mayor wants to help any way she can. Said it's exactly the kind of positive community engagement they want to showcase."

"That's fantastic, Jake!" I exclaim, genuinely thrilled. "All our hard work is paying off. This festival is going to be amazing."

He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. "We've come a long way from that first wish, haven't we? I couldn't have done any of this without you, Sophia."

The sincerity in his voice touches something deep inside me. I intertwine our fingers, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. Our eyes meet, and in that moment, the bustling coffee shop seems to fade away. It's just us, connected by more than our joined hands.

"We make a pretty good team, don't we?" I say softly, my thumb tracing small circles on the back of his hand.

Jake's eyes soften, his gaze filled with warmth and something deeper that makes my heart skip a beat. "The best," he murmurs, bringing our joined hands to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to my knuckles.

The tender gesture sends a shiver down my spine, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. It's a small act, but somehow more intimate than any public display of affection.

"So," I say, my voice a bit breathless, "what's next on our festival planning list?"

Jake grins, clearly aware of the effect he's had on me. "Well, partner, I think we need to start reaching out to local artists for the community mural project."

As we dive back into planning mode, I marvel at how far we've come and how close we've grown.

We spend the next hour brainstorming ideas for the festival, our hands remaining linked on the table between us. It's a small gesture, but it speaks volumes about how far we've come and where we're headed.

The community center buzzes with activity as I weave my way through clusters of volunteers, clipboard in hand. The Fall Festival is just two weeks away, and there's still so much to do. Colorful banners proclaiming "Wilmington Wishes" hang from the ceiling, and the walls are covered with drafts of the community mural designs.

"Sophia!" Elena's voice cuts through the chatter. I turn to see her waving me over to a table piled high with books. "Can you believe how many donations we've received for the mobile library?"

I shake my head in amazement. "It's incredible. The community really came through."

As I help Elena sort through the books, categorizing them by age group and genre, I feel a swell of pride. This is what Jake and I had hoped for when we started planning the festival—a true community effort.

"Speaking of the mobile library," Elena says, a mischievous glint in her eye, "how are things going with our resident coffee shop hero?"

I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Things are... good. Really good, actually."

Elena grins. "I knew it. You two are perfect for each other."

Before I can respond, I feel a warm hand on the small of my back. "Who's perfect for each other?" Jake's voice, tinged with amusement, makes me jump slightly.

"You two, obviously," Elena says without missing a beat. "Now, make yourself useful and help us with these books."

Jake chuckles, pressing a quick kiss to my temple before grabbing a stack of young adult novels. "Yes, ma'am."

As we work, Jake fills us in on his meeting with the InnovatED team. "They're bringing a prototype of the app to demo at the festival," he says. "They even want to set up a VR station where kids can 'visit' famous libraries around the world."

"That sounds amazing." I'm genuinely impressed. "But won't it overshadow the physical books?"

Jake shakes his head. "I had the same concern, but they've come up with a great solution. The app will actually encourage kids to check out physical books by offering rewards and challenges tied to reading tangible copies."

Elena nods approvingly. "Blending the old with the new. I like it."

As we continue sorting books, the conversation flows easily between the three of us, discussing festival plans and brainstorming ideas for future projects. It strikes me how natural this all feels—working alongside Jake, building something meaningful together.

"Before I forget," Jake says suddenly, turning to me. "My mom called earlier. She wants to come down for the festival."

A flutter of nervousness rises in my stomach. "Mom? That's... wow. Are you okay with that?"

Jake grins, reaching out to squeeze my hand reassuringly. "More than okay. She's excited to meet you, actually."

"Meet me?" I repeat, my voice higher than usual. "As in, meet your girlfriend?"

His smile softens. "Yeah, if that's alright with you. I may have talked about you. A lot."

Elena chuckles, reminding us of her presence. "Young love. It's adorable."

I roll my eyes at her, but can't help the warm feeling spreading through my chest. "I'd love to meet her," I tell Jake, meaning it despite my nerves.

The rest of the afternoon flies by in a whirlwind of activity. We finish sorting the books, help hang more decorations, and go over the festival layout with the event coordinator. By the time we're done, the sun is setting, casting a warm glow through the community center windows.

"I think that's enough for today," Jake announces, stretching his arms above his head. "Anyone up for dinner? My treat."

Elena begs off, citing a date night with her husband, leaving Jake and me to walk hand in hand to a nearby Thai restaurant we've been meaning to try.

Over steaming plates of pad thai and green curry, we discuss the day's progress and our remaining to-do list for the festival. But as the meal goes on, our conversation drifts to more personal topics.

"So," Jake says, a hint of nervousness in his voice, "are you really okay with meeting my mom?"

I take a sip of my Thai iced tea, considering my answer. "I'm a little nervous," I admit. "But yes, I'm okay with it."

Jake's face breaks into a relieved smile. "Good. Because I meant what I said earlier—I've told her a lot about you. She already thinks that you're pretty great."

"Oh yeah?" I tease, trying to lighten the mood. "What exactly have you been saying about me, Mr. Harrison?"

He reaches across the table, taking my hand in his. "Only the truth. That you're brilliant, passionate, and that you've made me happier than I've been in a long time."

His words send a rush of warmth through me. "Jake..."

"I'm serious, Sophia," he continues, his blue eyes intense. "These past few weeks, working on the Wishing Wall projects with you, watching you pour your heart into helping others... it's made me fall for you even harder."

Tears prick the corners of my eyes. "I feel the same way," I confess softly. "I've never met anyone like you, Jake. Your kindness, your dedication—it's inspiring. And a little intimidating, if I'm honest."

Jake's brow furrows. "Intimidating? Why?"

I shrug, suddenly feeling vulnerable. "Sometimes I wonder if I can keep up. You have this amazing vision for helping people, for making the world better. I'm just a reporter."

"Hey," Jake says firmly, squeezing my hand. "You're not 'just' anything. You're an incredible journalist who uses her talents to shine a light on important issues. And beyond that, you've become an integral part of these projects. The Wishing Wall wouldn't be what it is without you."

His words soothe an insecurity I didn't even realize I had been harboring. "Thank you." I blink back tears before he can see them.

Jake stands up, moving to my side of the booth. He slides in next to me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me close.

"We're partners in this, Sophia," he says softly, his breath warm against my hair. "In all of it. The projects, the festival, and... us."

I lean into him, savoring the warmth and security of his embrace. "Partners," I agree, the word feeling right on my tongue.