Love After Leaving: No Regret (Agnes and Raymond) novel Chapter 383

They went to the bookstore where they first met.

It was a small shop tucked away in a quiet corner of the bustling city of Grandridge.

The owner was a middle-aged man wearing glasses, a true book lover who collected rare and out-of-print editions.

No matter what book they wanted, he always found a way to get it. It was a hidden gem of a shop.

Only people with special emotional ties to books would find their way there.

Back then, Carmen and Eleanor first met here when they both reached for the same book at the same time.

After an awkward pause, they politely yielded to each other, then ended up reading it together and discussing it.

Later, they found that their tastes and perspectives were incredibly similar.

It felt like meeting an old friend.

From then on, they often met up to read and travel together, growing closer and closer.

Carmen gently opened the bookstore door.

The owner, who sat among piles of books, adjusted his glasses.

When he saw them, he smiled.

"You're here? I just got some great new books. They're in the same old spot. Go look for yourselves."

Eleanor smiled and placed a book on the desk. "Thank you, boss. This book is for you."

The owner froze slightly. "This is..."

Eleanor explained softly, "You kept mentioning this book last time. I happened to find it, so I brought it for you."

A visible wave of excitement crossed the owner's face. He picked up the book with trembling hands.

"Oh my! This book has been out of print for years! I've been searching forever and couldn't find it!

"This is wonderful... Really wonderful!"

He looked at her gratefully. "You're giving this to me? How am I supposed to thank you?'

"You've taken care of both of us a lot. Just think of it as a thank-you gift."

The owner rubbed his hands awkwardly, laughing.

"This is too kind! How about this? You can pick any books here. I'll give you anything you like!"

Eleanor and Carmen thanked him and sat down together to read.

After a while, Eleanor turned a page and said, "Caitlin, look. This book says—People come and go in life. Only by letting go of gain and loss can one find happiness."

Carmen immediately flipped past it. "That's just something people say because they haven't met someone important.

"Life is short. The future is precious. You should cherish it while you can!"

Eleanor smiled faintly. "That's true."

Carmen stood with Eleanor beneath the Ferris wheel.

"Are you sure you want to go up? You can still back out."

Eleanor's voice trembled slightly, but she was firm. "I won't regret it. I want to try it with you."

Carmen quietly gazed at Eleanor under the moonlight. That gentle exterior of hers hid a stubborn streak, and it was incredibly endearing.

Carmen had a naturally strong-willed personality, and she loved extreme sports.

Skydiving, racing cars, rock climbing—she had tried them all.

But Eleanor was timid and afraid of heights. Every time the two of them made plans to ride the Ferris wheel, Eleanor would get so scared that she didn't dare step on.

The Ferris wheel slowly rose to its highest point.

Looking at the twinkling city lights outside the window, Eleanor's whole body kept trembling.

Carmen tightly held her hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid. I'm here. If you're scared, just close your eyes."

Eleanor shook her head. "No. I want to remember this moment..."

She slowly turned her head, reluctance flickering in her gaze, and said softly, "Thank you, Caitlin."

Carmen looked at her with endless gentleness and smiled slightly.

"What are you thanking me for? Next time we'll come together again. How about it? It feels different up here, right?"