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“Well, I’ve managed not to rip my clothes or knock anything over yet, so I’d say it’s off to a fine start,” I replied.
Lucia let out an amused huff. “Give it time, give it time. This old building has a way of keeping us humble.”
She stepped inside and perched on the edge of my desk. “You know, I still remember my first day here. I was fresh from grad school, ready to take on the publishing world.” Lucia shook her head, laughing softly. “Within five minutes I’d spilled a full cup of coffee right onto a pile of manuscripts. I wanted to disappear into the floorboards.”
I couldn’t resist chuckling. “Something tells me you handled it with grace.”
“Oh, there was definitely some awkward apologizing involved,” Lucia said. “But the point is, you get past those moments. This job, this place...” She gestured around us. “It gets under your skin. In the best way.”
I nodded in agreement, fully understanding what she meant. In just this one morning, the sense of belonging I felt eclipsed the years spent living in the bustling city.
Lucia affectionately patted my desk before rising. “You’re going to do great here, Etta. Just be patient with yourself as you learn the ropes. And my door is always open if you need advice or just want to chat about books. Heaven knows we all need that around here.”
With an encouraging wink, Lucia exited, leaving me with a sense of reassurance. Her wealth of experience and good-natured humor provided the perfect antidote to my new job jitters. Surveying my cozy office space, I couldn’t help but acknowledge she was right. This was undeniably where I was meant to be.
***
I found myself entrenched at my desk for hours, diligently sifting through the extensive list of proposed campaigns left by the former marketing coordinator. Many appeared outdated or simply lacked the spark needed to capture attention. Myeyes threatened to glaze over as I delved into the details of potential bus stop ads for a less-than-thrilling nonfiction title. Suppressing a yawn, I stretched my arms overhead, yearning for a reprieve from the monotony.
I looked up to see Alexander leaning casually in my open doorway, a gentle smile on his face.
“Working hard or hardly working?” he asked with a playful glint in his eyes. I laughed, shaking my head.
“Oh, I’m working hard alright. On possibly the most boring marketing plans known to mankind,” I said, holding up the dense stack of papers.
Alexander stepped into my office, chuckling as he eyed the massive document.
“Ah yes, Jerry’s infamous marketing manifesto. I always meant to have someone condense that behemoth. I swear it’s long enough to take up half our inventory space.”
I rolled my eyes in agreement. “I think he covered every possible out-of-the-box idea, no matter how absurd. Yodeling classes to promote Alpine history books? Jerry?”
Alexander let out one of his hearty laughs that I’d missed so much.
“That sounds like one of Jerry’s more...creative concepts.”
He sat in the chair opposite my desk, his eyes drifting around my sparsely decorated office space.
“Well, with your fresh perspective and ideas, you’ll whip our marketing into shape in no time.”
I felt a flush of gratitude for his confidence in me. After years away from Pebble Point, knowing he believed I belonged here meant a lot.
“I appreciate that, Alexander. This job, this place...” I gestured around me at the cozy little office, which was already feeling like home. “Let’s just say I have a good feeling about it.”
He smiled warmly. “As do I.”
We just looked at each other; no words were needed. It amazed me how we could share such an easy, unspoken connection even after all this time.
Alexander stood then, smoothing his vest. “Well, I should let you get back to taming the marketing beast. But you can always count on me if you need a break from Jerry’s manifestos.”
I smiled up at him. “I just might take you up on that.”
“In fact,” Alexander said, pausing in the doorway, “why don’t you join Henry and me for lunch today at the diner? It’s been too long since we all caught up properly.”
My smile broadened at the invitation. “I’d love to! Just let me know when you’re headed over.”
“It’s a date,” Alexander said with a playful wink.
With our lunch plans set, Alexander headed out. I returned to my paperwork, my earlier boredom replaced with gleeful anticipation. Molly’s Diner was on my list of previous haunts to visit, and her homemade pie was calling my name.
