No Food. No Drinks. No Dog Ears.
Then, in tiny fine print at the bottom:
Violators will be forced to buy twelve books and ride the mechanical bull at the Bear Den on maximum speed.
I was pretty proud of that sign.
I’d gone to the library yesterday after the Western Book Club finally cleared out, made the sign on one of their computers, and asked the librarian to help me print and laminate it. She’d gotten a good laugh out of the bull riding part.
But Avery’s lips started twitching in that way they did when she was trying not to say something she’d regret.
“People bring their lunch here,” she said, her voice tight. “And everyone carries a water bottle these days. Are you going to confiscate water bottles too? You’ll drive all our customers away!”
I didn’t argue with her.
Instead, I walked behind the register and pulled out a cardboard box I’d been filling for the past few days. It was overflowing with damaged books.
I flipped open the top one and held it up. “Jelly stains.”
Avery’s mouth opened, but I was already reaching for the next book.
“Creased spine.” I set it aside and grabbed another. “Coffee spill. This one’s got what I’m pretty sure is mustard.” I kept going, book after book. “Yourlocals are costing my aunt money. They need to pay up or get out.”
Avery’s shoulders dropped slightly, and she let out a long breath. “You may have a point.”
I knew how hard that must have been for her to admit, so I couldn’t resist rubbing it in just a little.
“I’m sorry, what was that?” I cupped my hand behind my ear. “Did Avery Fisher just say I wasrightabout something?”
Her cheeks flushed pink, and those expressive lips of hers twitched again, caught somewhere between annoyance and amusement. “Don’t let it go to your head, Flint.”
“Too late.”
She huffed and turned away, but I knew she was pleased with me as she headed for the front door to unlock it for opening.
The moment she flipped the lock, she gasped and stepped back inside.
There was a mob of women on the sidewalk. At least a dozen of them.
I recognized a few faces from around town, but most of them were strangers to me.
“Good morning, ladies!” Avery recovered and said brightly, stepping aside to let them in. “Welcome to Bookish, where worlds await.”
They barely acknowledged her.
Every single one of them made a beeline straight for me.
“Excuse me,” a redhead in a tight sweater said, batting her eyelashes. “Where do you keep the bookmarks?”
“They’re by the register,” I rumbled.
“Oh, what a dear!” The redhead giggled but didn’t move. “Will you help me pick one out?”
Another woman shouldered past her. “I’m looking for recommendations. What doyoulike to read?”
“Uh.” I glanced at Avery, who was watching the whole scene with her arms crossed and her lips pressed together so hard they’d gone white. “I don’t really do that. I mostly read lawnmower manuals and hunting magazines.”
“That’s sorugged,” the woman breathed.
