Chapter 25
Zoe glanced at her watch and shook her wrist when the digital display didn’t immediately show. Fifteen minutes. Nine hundred seconds and she would open the doors to her dream.
“Meu Deus,” she whispered. Why did she ever think this was a good idea? Why did she think she could succeed and do this on her own?
“There you are.” Mrs. Wilson turned the corner of the row Zoe was hiding in. “What’s wrong?”
“I think I’m having a panic attack. Maybe an anxiety attack. I don’t know what the difference is but I know I’m freaking out.”
Mrs. Wilson grasped her by the shoulder. “Zoe. It’s a soft opening. It’s Tuesday so there won’t be a lot of shoppers. This gives us time to work out any kinks and bugs before the weekend.”
Thank goodness Mrs. Wilson had agreed to fill in as the assistant manager until Zoe found someone permanent. She was the rational, level-headed person Zoe needed right now. “I know, but it’s still a big deal. What if no one comes in? What if it’s a big, horrible failure?”
“People will come in. You will not fail. Everything is going to be fine. You have a checklist, right?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “It’s on the checkout desk.”
“All right. Then that’s all you need.” She smiled reassuringly. “Ready?”
Zoe took a deep breath and pictured the checklist in her head. Every item on every list had been checked and double checked. She’d been working non-stop for the past week and a half, often falling into bed too exhausted to do more than cuddle up next to Tim. Rebecca and Seth, her full-time employees, were trained and as excited as she was nervous.
“Yes. I’m ready.”
“Then let’s go.” Mrs. Wilson turned her and gave her a small push toward the front of the store.
Everyone turned when they broke through the bookcases and walked toward the desk.
“I was wondering where you were,” Elba said. “I brought coffee for everyone and a platter of mini scones for customers.”
“Thank you,” Zoe said. She turned to the other two. “Remember to write down anything that goes wrong in the log at the desk so we can address it before the grand opening in two weeks. If they come from the Cafe, they get ten percent off their purchase and Elba and her staff are going to remind their customers when they pay. Same goes for here, if they buy something here, remind them they get a discount at the Cafe.”
They all nodded while she spoke. They’d already gone over all this, but it helped her go through it all again.
“Seth, can you put the sandwich board out front and I’ll go open the doors to the Cafe.”
“I’ll go around and unlock them from the other side.” Elba pushed away from the counter she’d been leaning on and followed Seth to the front door.
“Thanks.”
Zoe walked over to the wall and released the locking mechanisms on the shelves. Seconds later one side swung open when Elba pushed from the other side.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the Book Haven is now open,” Elba said, gesturing with a flourish.
“You’re a dork,” Zoe said.
“But I’m your dork.” Elba pulled her into a side hug. “Go sell lots of books.”
The next three hours were a blur as a steady stream of customers kept them all busy.
“Zoe, I need your help,” Rebecca said.
Zoe approached the back side of the checkout counter where a customer was waiting. “Sure. What do you need?”
“I can’t find the author this customer is looking for.”
“Who’s the author?”
“Amber Finch?”
