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He cleared his throat and she struggled to hold back her grin. “Agreed, digital books are taking a larger cut of the market. But statistics show—”
She cut him off. “The statistics don’t correspond with what I’m hearing. People like the idea of sitting on their couch and downloading a book on release day. There are still diehards who won’t consider an e-reader, but those numbers are shrinking. For them we’re a great option. But for those eager to embrace the future, we’re nothing but a pretty dinosaur starting to shiver in the cold.”
Silence spread around the room like a virus. Terse exchanges between her and Spencer weren’t unusual. But her frank comment went way beyond their usual pissing contests.
“I’m telling it how I think it is,” she said, risking another glance at him. She didn’t know what she expected to find but it wasn’t him studying her thoughtfully.
“We’ve worked together what, three years now? I’ve gathered you do that often. Tell us how it is,” he said at her blank look. “In this case, you’re not the only one who has spoken with our customers. I spend a lot of time on the floor when I visit each of the stores. In case you haven’t noticed, I don’t particularly relish riding a desk.”
Ride me. The errant thought invaded her brain so unexpectedly she actually blushed. But he wasn’t through.
“You’re right. Some people will stop visiting the store in favor of reading on devices.” He pronounced the word devices as if it were a communicable disease. “Some are willing to abandon the joy of opening a book and smelling the ink, feeling the weight of paper and binding in their hands. Some don’t mind not being able to pass down treasured hardbacks from one generation to the next. We can try to influence those customers with sales and specials but ultimately we’re not what they’re looking for. And perhaps the reverse is also true.”
She nodded but, good point or not, she wasn’t done yet. It was probably lucky for her he had an open mind toward his staff being vocal or she might’ve been looking for another job years ago.
“But it doesn’t have to be that way,” she said in her most nonconfrontational voice, her spine tingling as she got fired up. Making reading accessible to everyone was a topic she was passionate about, every bit as passionate as Spencer. “We can reach those people too. What if we created a haven for the person who wants to read e-books? Or at least explore them? We could have informational kiosks on e-readers and yet specialize in the things we do best, figuring if we draw them in the store there’s a chance they’ll buy. If they stop coming in, period, we’ve lost them. This gives us an opportunity to—”
“We’re not one of the huge chain stores,” Spencer began. “We’re not going to produce an e-reader to try to compete in an already overcrowded market. We’re also not going to peddle toys or collectibles to try to hold on to market share. What we’re doing, what we have to keep doing, is excelling at what we do best. Treating our customers as if they’re family, as if they represent more than just a dollar.”
“I know that.” Kelly fought to retain her composure. “Believe me, I wasn’t absent the day you read the company mission statement. All I’m saying is tha
t we need to change with the times. It’s not enough to just give out cookies and put pretty pictures on the wall. We need to offer customers something they simply can’t get anywhere else.” She let out a breath. “If you’re asking for suggestions, there’s one. Innovate. If we don’t grow, we stagnate. If we stagnate, we die. Look at all the bookstores that have closed or are caught in the death spiral now. They all missed the opportunity to act.”
As far as she was concerned, that applied to her too. She’d been stagnant for too long, putting all her eggs in the basket of her job. Yes, she loved it. Yes, nothing mattered more. But what about the rest of her life? What about fun? Spontaneous fun, the kind not regulated by the list of potential fuck buddies on her beloved PDA?
The PDA she no longer had.
Maybe it was just as well she’d lost the list. Perhaps the time had come for her to move beyond games to a real relationship.
And if that was the case, she could see only one candidate for the position…
Spencer’s gaze rested on her for so long she almost forgot they weren’t alone. “We’re moving on. Unless anyone else would like to jump into the fray?”
His knife-thin smile dissuaded any other dissenters from joining the conversation, so he swiftly moved on to discuss their next sale and a few more particulars about the new store launches.
“Overtime will likely be required for the next month or so as we transition. If you have any hours or days you’re not available, you’re advised to discuss them with your supervisor now rather than waiting until you’re asked to work. Any questions?”
The usual suspects piped up to ask things they should’ve had the answers to during their first week of employment. Spencer fielded the inquiries with remarkable aplomb, but the minute Kelly indicated she wanted to speak, his shoulders stiffened.
“Kelly,” he said tightly.
Clearly she’d worn out her welcome for taking the floor.
“I’m available for whatever overtime is necessary,” she said in her sweetest voice, well aware of the tittering around them. Yanking Spencer’s chain made any name-calling worth it. “The store’s my first priority.”
“Don’t think that’s your first,” Tony muttered, eliciting a chuckle from his ever-present pal Cale.
Kelly’s eyes narrowed. All at once she knew, just knew, her PDA hadn’t simply been misplaced. They—or one of their cronies—had read her personal information before passing it around. She was the biggest joke in the store.
Shame burned her cheeks as she looked away. Why had she ever made a list about something so private? She might as well have begged for public humiliation.
“Tony, do you have something to say?”
Spencer’s sharp question grabbed her attention. If she hadn’t seen it herself, Kelly never would’ve believed the glower Spencer aimed at Tony.
“If so,” he continued, “I’d be happy to arrange a meeting. Actually, I’d relish it. Your shift ends at five today, correct?”
Tony crossed his arms over his chest, his snigger disappearing. “No, I’m finished.”
