Page 75 of The Luck of Finding You
“Are you sure you’re not together?” I hear Collene ask as I take my own seat across from Tally. Her cheeks flush, and if I had to guess, she’s trying to avoid looking at me. I hide my smile behind a glass of orange juice.
“I’m sure,” Tally says.
“Pity,” Collene says. “If he wasn’t so smitten with you, I’d throw my hat in the ring.”
Tally’s cheeks go even redder, if that’s at all possible.
“Give it time, dear.” Collene pats Tally’s knee. “You’ll come around.”
I certainly hope that she does.
At nine thirty Tally stands, declaring it’s time for her to head down and get the shop ready for opening.
“I’ll open today,” I tell her. “You stay up here awhile.”
“Are you sure?” Tally asks, seeming almost nervous. I know changing her schedule up on her last minute isn’t her favorite thing.
“I’m sure,” I promise her.
She nods once, then sits back between Pam and Collene. “I’ll be down in a bit.”
“No rush,” I say as I head back down the stairs and into the bookstore, unlocking the door and flipping the sign to open.
* * *
When the shophas been open for an hour, I’m hanging out in the back office, finalizing some things with the website I hope to launch in the next few weeks, when my phone chimes.
TheNoraReview:I’ll be there.
“Yes!” I throw a punch up in the air. She said yes!
Now I just hope she’s not disappointed or angry when she sees me standing there. A few seconds later I shove my phone back into my pocket when I hear the back door to the shop open. Tally is saying goodbye to all the book club ladies and Olivia. I smile at her when she appears in the doorway.
“Thank you.” Tally’s watching her feet more than she’s looking at me. “I owe you one. I didn’t know how much I needed that until I showed up.”
“You’re welcome.”
“All good down here?” she asks. I love how much she cares about how the shop is doing.
“All good down here,” I tell her. “We’ve had a grand total of three customers this morning, so I’ve been working on the website.”
“We’re going to have to do more to keep this place open, aren’t we?” she asks, sitting on the old wooden chair in the corner. I want to show her the website now, but I know waiting until next week when Olivia can be here will be better.
“A few minor things could make a big difference,” I tell her. “But the online shop will help a lot, I think. Maybe we’ll even be able to get you to Scotland.”
Tally laughs and it makes my heart beat faster. “That would definitely be nice.”
“And we may have to change a few more things, but I think the shop will be okay.” I want her to know that I’m going to be here to take care of it and her.
“Okay. But I get to keep the unconventional book club.” Tally laughs.
“Of course. I’ll be there every time.”
Tally throws her hands up in the air. “Men are not allowed!”
“Donna thinks I should be a permanent member. She said the other ladies are taking a vote.”
Tally groans. “Of course they are.” She bites her lip before looking at me. “Thank you again for this morning. It was exactly what I needed.”
