At Reina's, I opened the door to a tinkle overhead, the bell that indicated she had more customers.The line was long, but Reina's eyes lit up when she saw me.
She pointed toward the pickup shelf where there was a small pink bakery box and a to-go cup of coffee with my name and a heart drawn on it.Someone had my back, and it wasn't Maverick.
I grabbed the food, vowing to repay her later because I hadn't ordered ahead.There was a Post-it on the bag that said,Congrats on your grand opening!Enjoy!
Reina was the sweetest.I waved at her as I slipped outside and onto the sidewalk.I sipped the coffee, determined to have a good day despite how it started, waking up to the sound of a machine, and running outside in my skimpiest pj's.I hadn't even thought about what I was wearing.
My face flushed just thinking about how I'd flown outside, ready to confront whoever was making the racket.
It was impulsive and stupid.I couldn't afford to be seen by Maverick when I was caught off guard.I always needed to be ready for him and covered.My nipples betrayed me outside, but under a thick covering of a sweater and a puffy jacket, I was protected against Maverick.
I was immune to him.Or at least that's what I told myself as I unlocked the front door to the shop and turned the sign from Closed to Open.
I’d held a grand-opening party months after my soft opening.I hadn't wanted to do something before the holidays.No matter how well you advertised, there were always people who didn't know that a shop had opened.So it had made sense to throw a party now, in the slower season.
I needed to make this place a success so my parents couldn't make snide comments about how they'd wasted their money on an English degree I didn't use.Their acceptable use for a degree involved academia.According to their standards, I should have a PhD in Literature from some prestigious school and be working on my tenure as a professor.
Even though I'd majored in English, I'd snuck in as many business classes as I dared.Those classes got my blood stirring.I wanted to share my love of reading with everyone.
Despite the current racket outside, I was living my dream.I turned on music, hoping to counteract the construction noise, and opened the cash register for the day.
I sipped my coffee and nibbled on the blueberry muffin, the sweetness of the fruit bursting on my tongue.It was the perfect way to start my day, except that's not how I actually started my day.
Instead, I'd run outside in my pj's and into growly Maverick, who didn't want me half naked on his construction site.Not an unreasonable request.But all I could think about was how I'd wanted to kiss him while his mouth moved.
Every time the door opened, I lifted my head, my heart skipping a beat as I wondered if it was Maverick.Except he was working at the back of the property and wanted nothing to do with me.I was tired of my traitorous heart wanting something I couldn't have.
When it was story time, there were a few parents with kids who joined me in the children's section.I'd arranged small, round cushions for the kids to sit on.I sat on the rocking chair by the window to read a book about spring.
I'd arranged a few more books with the same theme on a nearby table that a couple of parents were perusing.
I read slowly, ensuring that everyone in the room could see the pictures, and used different voices.I closed the storybook; kids scattered throughout the store to play with the toys and thumb through the board books.
I was finally doing it.I'd opened a bookstore, just like I'd always wanted.And I'd done it without my parents' approval.Their disapproval stung, but I hoped over time they'd grow to respect my decisions.If the store was a huge success, then maybe they'd come around.
I forced myself not to look outside.When the noise disappeared, I figured the work ended, and I could breathe a sigh of relief.
There was a lull at this time of day, when the parents with young children headed home for naps and dinner before the evening crowd crept in.I took the time to wander around the store and pick up anything that had been moved or dropped.
I'd just leaned down to grab a book that was left on the floor when the back door opened.I stood and placed the book on the shelf, surprised to find Maverick.
I tried to keep my voice steady."I thought you were done for the day."
"I made sure everything was cleaned up.We don't leave a mess."
That was something that I'd learned about the Sterlings; they worked hard to build a reliable and competent reputation.After this morning, I wasn't going to make things easier for him."Do you need something?"
He cleared his throat and stepped into the children's section.He looked large and out of place among the colorful books and stuffed animals."We had a successful start.There shouldn't be any problems getting the patio installed by the end of April."
"That's good," I said, feeling a little breathless.
He looked around and, not seeing any customers, said, "Don't come outside.I don't want you to get hurt.In fact, you should probably lock the back door so that no one wanders out."
That was actually a good idea.I didn't want a curious child slipping outside and getting hurt."How will I get in touch with you if I need to ask a question?"
He raised a brow."You don't have my number?"
"I deleted it."
