“It’s a book.” I smiled, holding it out to her. She took it, peering at the male torso on the cover with a lifted brow. “The hero is a rock star. It might not be an introduction, as the nearest rock star is occupied at the moment, but trust me when I say, you’re going to love it. It’s a really good book.”
Winking, I left them to ogle the cover and returned to the counter.
“What book did you give them?” Shelly asked, watching the girls disappear deeper into the New Adult section.
“One of Kylie Scott’s.” I grinned.
“Oh! Good one!” she giggled, glancing back at the group of girls, now gathered around the shelves that housed Kylie Scott’s books.
“I won’t be here tomorrow and Thursday, but I’ll be checking in often. I’ll be back Friday morning. I’m leaving you in charge of the store front, with Ellery’s assistance should you need it. If all goes well, we’ll talk about a full-time summer position for you.”
“Really!?” Shelly’s eyes widened, her excitement practically brimming over.
Boots against the hardwood alerted us to the arrival of Shelly’s classmates, each of them clutching copies ofLick.
“Whatever. Just charge it to my dad’s card,” the ringleader said, trying to fight a grin and act indifferent.
Shelly rang their books through, fighting a smile of her own. The girl tossed her long hair over her shoulder and tapped her card against the credit machine, paying for her friend’s purchases. While the transaction processed, Shelly slid their books into three of our smallest tote bags. The girls left in a giggling hurrying, pausing long enough to boldly ask Calum to sign their receipts.
I worked until the bookstore was closed for the night. I turned the lights turned off and closed the rolling gate that sectioned off from the café. Most shops downtown closed by six, and we were no exception—except for Thursday and Friday nights when we stayed open until seven.
Calum, Asher, and Nik were still sitting at the same table in the café, although the rest of our customers had gone. She’d closed the register and sent Holly home already, and Ellery’s nightly ritual of packing up all remaining baked goods had begun.
When we first openedBooks and Brews, Ellery couldn’t bear the thought of tossing out everything at the end of the night. It pained her a great deal as she was surprisingly tender toward her baked creations. We decided to donate the leftovers, alternating between the women’s shelter and breakfast programs at the school. The women’s shelter got the comfort deserts, while the schools got the leftover muffins, croissants, and bagels.
“Need me to drop that off?” I offered.
She glanced at me, offering me a smile. “It’s okay, I’ve got it. Grant’s playing tonight, so I’ll drop them off on my way to the arena.”
“Okay,” I bit my lip, glancing over my shoulder. “Are you sure I should take the next two days off? I just feel like that’s leaving you hanging.”
“It’s really not, Harper,” Ellery assured me. “We can survive a few days. You two still have a lot of catching up to do.”
“You’re way too good to me.” I sighed gratefully.
“You’d return the favour if I were in your shoes.” She winked, wiping her hands against her apron.
“I absolutely would. Wish Grant luck from us—you know we’re rooting for him.” I told her, and she nodded, her eyes cutting back to the display shelves.
I approached the table that Calum, Asher, and Nik occupied in the café. There was a small pile of comic books in front of them, and the boys seemed to be showing Cal their favourite comic series.
“All done?” Calum asked, looking up when he noticed my shadow. Asher’s head popped up too, and he grinned at me.
“Yeah. I figured we could grab something to eat at the diner really quick. I’m hungry, and I don’t feel like cooking tonight, and I’m craving a burger.”
I also needed to check in on Raina, just to make sure she was okay. Nik finally looked up from the comic book he’d been focused on, watching me warily. I smiled to ease his anxiety.
“Sounds good to me,” Cal replied, and I looked back at him, catching the smile teasing his lips. Asher and Nik flew into action, swiftly dividing their comic books and packing them away in their bags.
A few moments later, we were stepping out onto the sidewalk, zipping coats against the thrashing chilly winds. The diner was down the street fromBooks and Brews, on the corner of Fairmont. Calum’s hand slipped through mine as the boys charged ahead, animatedly talking about robotics.
“Asher reminds me of Connor. Wise beyond his years,” Cal remarked, watching the boys several steps ahead of us. Asher said something that made Nik laugh; the traces of tension and strain I’d picked up earlier temporarily vanishing.
My heart swelled with pride; Asher was a good kid. He went out of his way to make sure the people he cared about knew he cared, and he whole-heartedly accepted people—and their situations—for who and what they are.
“He is.” I nodded, studying Asher’s profile as he opened the door. The kids walked in ahead of us, content to leave us several paces behind them. “I can’t believe he’s going to be eight next week.”
Calum scanned me, a brief smile tugging his lips up as he watched me. “What do you have planned for his birthday?”
