Seeingit busy on a Friday morning warmed her heart. Back in the day, she’d spend entire afternoons behind the register talking Ephrem’s ear off while only two or three customers wandered in before closing. Some days they’d celebrate making enough money to cover payroll.
A young couple flipped through cookbooks near the back wall while an older gentleman sat beside the window with a mug of tea balanced next to his open novel.
The store felt alive and she loved that for him.
Nina scanned the room, expecting Ephrem to greet her with one of his dramatic hugs, but he was nowhere in sight. Instead, a customer stood patiently at the register waiting to check out.
Without thinking twice, Nina set her purse and the gift bag on the counter before slipping behind the register.
She’d practically become an honorary employee years ago.
“Hi,” she greeted with an easy smile. “Did you find everything you were looking for today?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The young Black woman handed over her books before suddenly freezing.
Her eyes widened.
“Oh... my God.”
Nina knew that look.
“Wait.” The woman’s hand flew over her mouth. “Are you...?”
Nina offered the same awkward smile she’d been wearing more and more lately.
“Yep. It’s me.”
The woman let out a tiny squeal. “I knew it! Wow!”
It still caught Nina off guard whenever someone reacted like that. She wasn’t an actress or singer. She wasn’t even trying to be famous either.
She simply designed watches, ran a company, and occasionally found herself plastered across business magazines.You know, nothing too major.
She still hadn’t figured out the appropriate response whenever someone recognized her in public, so she smiled for now.
“Are you paying with cash or card?” she asked, sounding almost robotic.
The woman laughed. “Cash is fine.” She leaned against the counter. “So... you know the owner?”
“I do, I’ve been coming here for years.” Nina scanned the books. “Best bookstore in New York.”
“I didn't know you read.”
Nina looked up. “I didn't know people thought I didn’t.”
“I just mean...” the lady laughed nervously. “You’re always working. When do you even have time?”
“Before bed. Between meetings. On flights.” Nina shrugged. “Reading is therapy for me.”
“I love that.”
The woman hesitated before saying, “You should post what you’re reading sometime. Or start an online book club because those are huge now.”
Nina considered it.
It wasn’t the worst idea she’d ever heard.
