I sighed, suspecting that she was a force that was difficult to stop once she got going."I promise I'm happy being alone.My parents were so controlling for years, and now I finally feel free."
Eve nodded and changed topic."Everyone seems to love the bookstore.I'm constantly seeing people going in and out when I walk by."
"We have the morning story times, and I'm booking the lounge area for various groups.It's only going to increase when I have the additional space."
"To think that Rob was against any new shops.He said that we had everything we needed."
I frowned."Every town needs a bookstore."
"I agree, but Rob is set in his ways.Hopefully, he'll keep his opinions to himself from now on.Since none of his dire predictions have come true."
"What are your plans for bringing in offseason customers?"I asked, knowing it would distract her from my love life.
"I'm planning seasonal festivals and events to bring people in.Maybe a cocoa crawl, a chili cook-off, or even a brewfest."
"Those sound like good options."
"We always have to balance the event with parking and the crowd.We don't want to overwhelm the town.If people think they can't get parking, or get to their favorite stores, they won't come.It will be seen as a problem, not an event they'll want to go to."
"That's a fine balance.I don't envy you your job."
"I'd rather escape to your store and find a good book to read away the afternoon.But this is what I've always wanted, to run a town, to drive customers to the main street and away from strip malls and box stores.Towns are natural gathering places.You feel good when you're walking on a cobblestone street.There's an ambiance in a small town that you can't find anywhere else."
"I think you're right."After talking to her, I felt more confident that I'd chosen the right place to open my store.
We finished our meal and paid, then headed outside into the cool air."I'll let you know about the fireplace soon."
"Thanks, Eve."It was pleasant to talk with her about the town, not necessarily my love life.But the women here were nice.They wanted to be friends, and for the first time, I was starting to think I should let my guard down.
I opened the door to the bookstore, turning the sign from Closed to Open.I didn't go out to lunch that often.I usually only took a quick break, eating in the break room.But it was nice to get out and talk to another woman.
She'd made me think about Maverick and whether he was different now.I didn't want to forget the lessons of the past, but at the same time, I couldn't help but think nothing had changed.He still thought we were too different.
The shop was quiet, and I pulled out my sketch pad, looking through the pages of drawings I'd made since the store opened.I wondered what they would look like if I framed them and placed them on the wall.It would give the shop a cozy feel.
The French doors in the back opened, and Maverick stepped inside.It must have started to rain.The sky was dark, and I heard the drops on the windows.
He toed off his boots."Do you mind if I wash my hands in the sink?I promise I won't make a mess."
I shrugged."Of course not."
"I didn't want to drag dirt through your store."
"No worries."They had a port-a-potty placed outside for the workers, so no one had come inside since construction started.
I turned to a blank page and drew another character from a movie I enjoyed.These pictures of princesses would look nice in the children's section.I was so absorbed in my work that I jumped when Maverick said, "That's great."
I startled."I forgot you were here."
He raised a brow, standing much too close to me, probably to see over my shoulder.I resisted the urge to close the notebook and hide my drawing from him."You should be aware of your surroundings when the store is open."
I scanned the room so I wouldn't have to look at him."No one else has come in.Probably because of the rain."
"We're cleaning up outside for the day."
I nodded and turned slightly on my stool which placed me inches from the heat of his body.
He inclined his head toward my sketch pad."Do you have more of those?"
