He nods. “Amelia always thought big. We rent the building from Riley’s Aunt Kathy, and she gave us a steal on the lease. Unfortunately, our rent is going up significantly in September. Even beyond the event and the issue with Amelia’s parents, that’s another part of the problem.”
“ ‘You mustn’t confuse a single failure with a final defeat,’ ” says Fiona.
He cocks his head. “It’s a great quote, but Fitzgerald died with a pickled liver thinking the world had forgotten aboutGatsby.Not sure we should be taking life advice from that guy.”
“You know he was sober and in love?” she volleys back. “He fell for Sheilah Graham, a gossip columnist who lived in his building. She helped him give up booze and find some happiness in his last act.”
“You’re like a literary encyclopedia.”
“Wait until you meet my brother.” She cringes as she realizes what she said.
“I suspect that won’t be happening this century,” he responds, but for once, he’s not upset, or even melancholy. In fact, I daresay there’s a spring in his step as he shows her Stabby Peeps and the children’s section and then shuffles her over to Historical Fiction. They’ve just finished up in Sci-Fi when she gestures for Miguel to walk with her toward the window. I follow them, pretending like I’m trying to find the right place to lie down on the rug.
“The bookstore is wonderful,” she says. “As I thought it would be—but still.”
“Thank you.”
“I do have an idea about how to help. With the store, I mean.”
“As much as I appreciate your offer, I’m never going to cash a check from you,” he says, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“I know. But I’m not talking about a freebie, since you’ve made your feelings on that clear. I could give you a loan, or even buy a minor stake in Lakeside.”
He shifts uncomfortably. “I don’t mean to be presumptuous, but because your brother has written extensively about your childhood, I’m guessing you’re not sitting on a trust fund.”
“You’re right, but I’m in a good financial position. Jon pays me for the work I do for him, and I’ve been a careful investor, especially these last few years. This would be another investment.”
“But…you’re in Chicago.”
“I’m not suggesting we move, but I like it here—as Amelia Mae’s pointed out, the town’s extremely charming. I guess I’m thinking of her in all this, too; she’s taken a shine to Lakeside Books, to say nothing of your dog.”
I’m already grinning when he glances at me.This is a brilliant idea! The best yet! Say yes, Miguel!
Fiona continues. “I wouldn’t want to tell you how to run your shop, and your team seems incredibly competent,” she says, nodding to where Riley and Dane are standing, heads together, near the register. “And you’re obviously working hard to come up with new plans. I guess what I’m saying is that I have faith that you’ll figure it out, and maybe this could help in the interim. It wouldn’t be a burden for me and Amelia Mae to take the train to Michigan from time to time without being under your feet too much.”
“You wouldn’t be under anyone’s feet,” he says, his voice even lower than usual.
“No?”
Miguel hesitates, then says, “I’d like to see more of you.”
She swallows hard. “I’d like that, too.”
I’m ready to start barking with excitement when he adds, “But…”
“Go ahead,” she tells him. “I hope by now you’ve gathered that you can be honest with me.”
He wrinkles his nose. “It’s just that I’m not sure I want investors.”
“You’re right,” she says quickly. “Jon’s always saying I’m overly optimistic about my ability to fix things.”
“I don’t think that’s a bad trait,” he says, reaching for her arm.
“So you won’t mind too much if I keep trying to come up with some way to help?”
“While you really don’t have to, I’m honored that you’d want to try.”
“It’s not so much a matter of wanting as being unable to turn my brain off,” she says.
