(currently under editing, but not anything very major)
after conrad fisher unexpectedly broke up with josie grahms a month ago, things haven't been the same since. lately, josie's found it hard to move past her long-lasting relationship with conrad...
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CONRAD
(edited version)
CONRAD LURKED IN THE CORNER OF THE BOOKSHOP, DOWNING HIS DRINK OF CHARDONNAY. Josie eventually left the summer house to get dressed into something more casual for Laurel's book signing. He'd been so preoccupied with his mom painting his portrait, and dealing with his hangover that he'd forgotten about the book signing.
He didn't feel much like going. After seeing how tired his mom was, and her still insisting she go to Laurel's book signing, it sort of pushed him off the rails for a bit. Why wasn't she taking proper care of herself when she was...when she might not be there next summer?
To battle his emotions, Conrad preferred to be alone at the summer house in his thoughts. As expected, his mom wasn't going to let that happen.
The entire bookshop was crammed with customers searching for books to buy and getting their books signed by Laurel.
While Conrad stayed alone, Jeremiah kept stacking books upon books on top of Steven, who was struggling to hold them. Josie and Casper were engrossed in a conversation about who knows what. For a split second, Conrad felt a sense of loneliness. He desired to go over there and socialize with his friends. But something held him back.
Suddenly, he could see Josie making a beeline towards him, not a falter in her step. Conrad stared at her, wearing a puzzled expression on his face. At the sight of her stern face, he stopped drinking altogether and wiped his mouth. "Can you at least try not to drink tonight? What if you get drunk?"
"Relax. I haven't drunk much."
Josie leaned against the wall next to Conrad. "You know what happened last night, Con."
Conrad nodded nonchalantly. "I know. That's why I'm being more careful this time." Josie scoffed, looking at everything but him. Conrad closed the bottle and left it on the table where he'd found it.
"Fine. I won't drink any more tonight. Happy?" He couldn't handle Josie staring him down like that. Whenever she did, he'd known he'd done something wrong.
Josie gave Conrad a look. "Yes. I am happy if you'd like to know." She snapped.
Before Conrad said another word, Laurel called for him. "Conrad? Come over here?"
He did as Laurel said, and walked up to the table where she was signing books. A man with gray hair and round glasses stood next to Laurel. Initially, he didn't expect Josie to go with him too, but he didn't mind her company too much, surprisingly.
Laurel gave Josie a small nod before fixing her eyes back on Conrad. "Conrad, this is Cleveland. He's writing a book about sailing but also knows nothing about sailing." How was that possible? Conrad had never heard of a funny case like that.
