Page 14 of The Luck of Finding You
“We sell enough books.” I know the only reason I’m trying to defend the shop is because Marsha didn’t want to sell new books. She said it would make us lose our small, used bookstore feel. Olivia and I talked about it in private every couple of months though, trying to figure out a way to bring it up with Marsha, a way we could keep the same small-town-store atmosphere and also make more money.
“The draw of new books would bring more people in.” Noah’s eyes search mine. I want to ask him why this is such a big deal. If he’s going to be gone in a year anyway, why does it really matter?
“We’d never sell enough to compete with the big chain stores.” I fold my arms across my chest.
“You don’t know that.” Noah takes a step closer to me. I fidget but don’t move away. Olivia is standing next to us still, but it’s as if we’re in our own little bubble. Will it always feel that way around Noah? “Plus, we don’t have to compete with the chain stores. That’s not really the point of this shop, right? But it could draw in a few more customers, which would increase profit.”
“Marsha hated the idea of bringing in new inventory.” Yup, I’m using the dead woman as a way of shooting down his idea. Maybe it’s a low blow. I hate it, but because it’s Noah standing in front of me, it makes me want to fight harder for what Marsha wanted.
Something flashes in Noah’s eyes and when he talks, his voice is sad. “Well, she’s not here, so I’m going to guess that means we can do whatever the heck we want.”
“I kind of agree with that,” Olivia pipes in.
I scowl at her. She’s supposed to be on my side.
“She loved this store.” My voice softer is now. “She loved what it meant to the community, and bringing in all that new inventory would change that.”
“What if it didn’t change that?” Noah asks, his tone matching mine. “What if we could keep the small-town-bookstore feel and still offer new books? Indie bookstores do it all over the country.”
I keep forgetting that he also likes to read, that even if he’s never worked in a bookstore, he is part of this world. There goes my heart again.
“We can think about it,” I say in resignation. “I’ll think about it, I mean.”
“Okay,” Noah takes a step back.
“Okay.” I lean against the counter, exhausted from the news of today and the fact that my heart is hammering like a woodpecker inside my chest. It’s going to be a long year.
6
NOAH
My phone vibrates and I pull it out to see Annie calling me. I hit decline and put the phone back in my pocket. I’ll call her back in a second.
“It’s time for me to go.” It hits me then that now I have to go and pack up my life back in New York. Even though I’ve been living there for the past several years, it will only take a few hours to pack up the one large suitcase I brought with me. I never settled there because it never felt like home. “I guess I’ll need your number?”
Tally stares at me with wide eyes. She looks so adorable and cute with her flushed cheeks. “Is that how you ask for every woman’s number?”
“So that I can let you know when I’ll be back?” I clarify, tentative now as her face turns hard.
Olivia, the other woman who I forgot was still standing there, barks out a laugh. “Just give him your number, Tally.” Olivia gets the ice glare this time.
Tally lets out an exasperated sigh. “Fine. But you can only text me when you’re coming back. I am nearly always here though, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find me.”
She grabs a bookmark by the register and writes down her number. A number I should have asked for five years ago.
“Thank you,” I tell her, gently folding the bookmark and tucking it in my pocket. Tally gives me a grunt in return. Olivia laughs again. At least she seems like she’ll be fun to work with. “I’ll see you both in a couple of days.”
“It was really nice to meet you,” Olivia says with a wave.
“Thanks, you too.” I turn to Tally. I wish I knew what she was thinking. When her eyes meet mine, a spark shoots through my entire body. Does she feel it too? “I’ll see you later this week.”
“Take your time.” With the grimace on her face, I’m reminded that she’s not the girl I used to know. She’s not the same woman I’ve dreamed of for years. I want to know why—what happened that made her put up all her walls—even if it isn’t a good idea. Even if she does have a boyfriend and that’s why she’s acting like this. I haven’t intentionally flirted with her, but I want to, even with the cold shoulder she’s giving me.
I wait for a moment to see if she’ll say anything else. When she doesn’t, I nod once and make my way to the door.
“See you.” I open the door a fraction, my phone vibrating again in my pocket, and look back to the two women. There’s one thing that’s been on my mind since I walked into the shop, and maybe I should wait until I get back, but I can’t seem to hold the words in. “We really should have more of the romance books up at the front—romance sells.”
“That’s incredibly sexist.” I think Tally has a permanent glare etched on her face now.
