I flipped through the other pages, showing numerous princesses and other storybook characters."It's something to do when the shop is quiet."
"You should frame those too.The kids will love them."
"I don't know if they're good enough for that."
"I think business succeeds when the owners show themselves in their product.This is you.This is your store.It shows your heart.Your love.Your desire."
I looked up at him."A simple sketch can do all of that?"
"Yeah, it's what makes your store unique.It's you."
I wasn't sure that I believed what he was telling me."I'll think about it."
"You're talented."
I laughed at that, closing the sketch book and tucking it under the counter."I'm not an artist.There was another girl in school who was much better than me."
"You don't think there's room in the world for both of you?Or can only one person be an artist, and you'll never be good enough?"
I shrugged, feeling a little foolish.I'd never thought of it like that."My parents didn't like that I drew.They didn't want me to take art in high school.They didn't see it as a money-making endeavor."
"Not everything is going to make you money, but I think your sketches are insights into you and your heart.It will make your shop personal, and that's what customers connect with.You.Not the books or the ambiance."
"I don't know about that."Why would people shop here because I owned the store?I couldn't believe people would be more willing to shop in my store because of a few rudimentary drawings.
He took a step back, and I finally drew in a deep breath.
"I'm going to make sure everything's put away.Then I'll head home.Thanks for letting me wash up."
"You can use the bathrooms whenever you need to."
He raised a brow."Trust me, you don't want me in your bathroom.I'll just dirty it up."
I kind of wanted him to dirtymeup.It was a dark, rainy day, and no customers were coming in.I could kiss him, and no one would know.But I remembered what happened last time.He'd rejected me, and that memory was too fresh in my mind.
"See you tomorrow," he said before he walked out.
It was the first time I'd really seen him since I was sick.He was large and potent up close.It was something I couldn't fully appreciate when I'd been up all night puking.But now?He was dangerous to my heart.
I wasn't any more capable of protecting myself now than I'd been when we were teens.
