By the time the sun is setting, I’ve managed not only to keep the bookstore standing but to actually sell some books. I even checked a few items off my to-do list.
As I lock the door on my way out, making sure to shut off the lights and fill the cat’s water and food bowls before I leave, I can’t help but feel pretty damn proud of myself. I might not be the biggest fan of reading, but maybe there’s a chance this whole bookseller gig will turn out to be my passion. Maybe my success today is a sign of some sort of inherent book-recommending magic I never knew I had in me.
My steps are jaunty as I make the short walk from the store back to my little cottage of a house. I knew it wouldn’t take me long to knock these tasks off one by one, but even I can admit that I didn’t expect it to come together in one day.
I’m not even annoyed by the sight of Ben, once again in his rocking chair, once again sipping on a beer, like he hasn’t been forced to spend his whole day doing something completely out of his comfort zone.
He gives me the smuggest of smiles as I approach and maybe there is a tad bit of annoyance after all.
“What are you so happy about?” I pause in front of his gate, even though I know I shouldn’t be bothered. I should head right through my own front door and not give that cocky smile a lick of my time.
“How was your first day at work?” He asks the question in a tone that makes it clear he already knows the answer. So much for the sort of camaraderie I thought we had established yesterday.
I cross my arms over my chest. “It was fabulous, actually. I think it’s safe to say that I nailed it.”
Ben purses his lips. “Nailed it, huh?”
His look is all too knowing and a rock of foreboding sinks my stomach. “Yes,” I respond with rapidly draining confidence.
Ben leans forward, his elbows resting on his knees, beer bottle dangling from his fingers. “You sold an eight-year-oldIt.”
“The clown book?” My brow furrows. Of all the possible missteps I’ve been running over in my mind, that wasn’t one of them.
Ben doesn’t hold back, throwing back his head and letting loose a guffaw. “The clown book? Seriously? How have you never heard ofIt?”
“I don’t read much, okay?” I say defensively.
“It was written by Stephen King!” His laughter continues, wiggling under my skin.
Now that he says it, the author’s name does ring a bell. I knew it was familiar when I was ringing up the purchase, but I couldn’t quite place my finger on why.
I glare at him, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing me cowed. “Okay fine, I made one mistake. It was my first fucking day. Give me a break!”
Ben’s eyebrows shoot up. “One mistake? Sweetheart, you also sent the preacher’s daughter home with erotica and sold Old Man TateA Clockwork Orange.”
“He was looking for a book about clocks! It’s right there in the title.” I plant my hands on my hips. “And I will not apologize for that erotica bit. Everyone deserves the chance to explore their fantasies.” Though maybe I should have skipped the one with all the religious overtones.
Ben’s body finally stops shaking with laughter and his gaze turns to pure pity. “You really had no idea, did you?”
I bristle, pulling myself up to my full height, dropping my arms from their defensive position. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You actually thought you had done a good job today.”
My cheeks heat, and I don’t know why the idea of Ben seeing me fail irritates me so much. Maybe because the idea of failing at all irritates me so much, let alone having it happen in front of my annoyance of a neighbor/former blind date/only person in this town who I thought might understand how it feels to be stuck here.
“Oh yeah, well if it’s so easy, how was your first day? Did you even work or have you been sitting here all day waiting for the opportunity to judge me?”
Ben’s smile fades. “I’m not judging you.”
I shrug off his words, like the lie paired with the judgment doesn’t sting even worse. “Whatever.” I turn to march the few feet over to my front gate.
“Wait. Do you want a beer or a glass of wine? Seems like you might need one.” His smile is back, but this one lacks the teasing glint from before.
“Sure. Why the hell not.” I trudge up his front path, collapsing into the chair next to his and accepting the proffered wine. “So how did you know about all the mistakes I made?”
Ben extends his long legs in front of him, crossing them at the ankles. “Despite your assumptions, I did work today. Took over for the town doctor, who’s on an extended vacation. People in small towns love to gossip, especially about the new kid.”
“Of course you get to keep your normal job. I find it hard to believe no one in this town has use for a lawyer, and yet I’m out here trying to run a freaking bookshop,” I grumble.
