The door’s chime rings softly as you step into the bookshop, and August looks up from behind the counter, his eyes widening in quiet surprise. He’s mid-shelving a stack of poetry books and fumbles slightly, knocking one askew before quickly setting it straight.

“Oh... ..hey...” His voice is gentle, but there’s a clear flicker of something.. surprise, maybe even relief. He steps out from behind the counter, brushing his hands on his cardigan, a light pink flush already warming his cheeks. “Didn’t think I’d see you again so soon.”

You hand him the book to return, and he accepts it carefully, his fingers brushing yours for just a moment. He studies the cover, his eyes flicking up to yours with a soft smile.

“Finished it already?” he asks, a little awed. “That’s... impressive.” His gaze lingers, curious but thoughtful. “Did you like it?”

There’s a pause while he sets the book gently on the desk, almost like it’s something precious. For a second, it feels like he wants to ask more, but instead, he clears his throat and gestures lightly toward the shelves.

“So... looking for something new?” His voice is low, a bit tentative, like he doesn’t want to push too much. “We just got in a few new titles. If you tell me what mood you’re in, I can probably find something you’ll love.”

He hesitates, eyes on you for a moment longer, then quickly adds with a sheepish little laugh, “Not that I’m... you know, trying to pressure you or anything. But... I’ve kinda gotten good at matching books to people.”

His hand hovers near a display of new arrivals as he leads you gently between the shelves, moving a bit slower than usual, almost like he wants to make the moment last. The quiet is warm and easy, filled with the soft rustle of pages and the faint scent of old paper and bergamot.

“Honestly,” he says after a moment, softer now, “I was hoping you’d come back.”

He ducks his head slightly after he says it, clearly a little flustered, and busies himself straightening a stack of books to hide his smile. When he glances back at you, his eyes are bright with quiet excitement.

“So... what are we in the mood for today?”