“Well, it sounds like you know the first problem you have to fix.Inventory is everything.”
“Yeah.”Lilian nodded.“Which brings me to my first question.What do you use to keep track of it all?We’ve been struggling to establish a good inventory system.”
She prepared herself for the look of judgment.But Emily only nodded in understanding.Her gaze flicked from the stack of inventory, then to the computer and back again.She smiled.“How about I show you?”
The flow of conversation came naturally after that.One question led to another, then another, until they were trading stories and commiserating over shared experiences.The longer they talked, the lighter Lilian felt.The invisible weight that had been on her shoulders eased as she realized she wasn’t alone in the struggle.
Together, she and Emily sketched out the biggest steps Lilian needed to tackle.As Lilian scribbled down her final notes, she caught sight of the clock.“Oh, man, it’s been almost two hours.You probably need to get back to the store.”
“Probably,” Emily agreed.“But this is so fun.I love talking to fellow bookshop owners.”
“I do, too,” Lilian realized, her newfound camaraderie with Emily warming her chest.This was what she needed.Someone who understood the struggle and could help her develop ideas.
“Here.”Emily reached behind her and plucked up a card.“Reach out if you have any other questions.”
Ah.Business cards.She remembered Russ had given her his when they’d first met.Weeks had passed, and she still hadn’t procured her own.Another thing to add to the list.
Hawk was standing in front of a bookshelf when they came out, an autobiography under his arm and a single coffee in hand.Guilt washed over her at the sight of him.“Have you been waiting long?I’m sorry, we were talking and time got away.”
She braced herself, ready for a cutting reprimand.What she got instead was an easy shrug.
“Don’t worry about it.I talked to Gabby for a while here, and since you guys were still chatting, I went and got that coffee I promised.”He handed it to her, and Lilian was shocked to find the cup was still warm.
“And you found a book, I see.”Emily smiled.
“Always happy to help a small business.”Hawk raised the book.“Do you want one?”
Lilian’s eyes jerked up from her coffee.Had she heard him right?“You are not offering to buy me a book.”
Amusement flickered across his face.“I am.”
It was too much.She wanted to scream, "Why would you offer to do that for me?"What came out of her mouth instead was a dumbstruck, “You got me coffee.”
“And now I’m offering to get you a book as well.I’m not hurting for cash.Besides, I want to thank Emily for taking the time to talk to you.”
“No thanks needed,” Emily assured.“But I won’t object to you spending money here.”
“Go,” Hawk whispered to her, his body giving her a reassuring bump toward the bookshelves.“Sip your coffee, pick a book.Just try not to take all afternoon.”
“I won’t.”Lilian bit down on a grin as she made a beeline for the romance section.It took her no time to find a new release she’d been dying to try.Hawk almost looked impressed by her efficiency when it came to selecting the book.
She tried not to think about how her stomach tightened at his offer to buy her a book, or how it seemed to become a habit now for them to get each other coffee.Or that this entire day felt like a Date with a capital D.
It’s not.It can’t be.This is a business trip.
But even that excuse didn’t have the same ease it once carried.Especially when a vicious stab of jealousy shot through her when the sales associate, Gabby, couldn’t take her eyes off him.She couldn’t really remember the reason he’d given her for helping.There was absolutely no way Hawk was doing all this out of the goodness of his heart… right?
The question burned through her as they walked back to his truck.As she snapped the seat belt into place, Hawk turned the country music station back on.She knew she should ask him why he was doing all this work for her and her little bookstore.
But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.Why ruin what turned out to be a fun day?
Thanks for the other day… it was really nice of you.
Tyrant Prince
Don’t mention it.
Congratulations by the way…
