“Well, you shouldn’t be here.”
“And why’s that?”
“Because…because I was here first, and I think you should leave.”
He ran his hand over his jaw thoughtfully. “Interesting. I mean, I was inside the store when you walked in, which is howI caught you when your friend shoved you toward me. And I believe the bookstore is neutral territory.”
“For who?”
“For booklovers?” he said, almost as if he was uncertain.
“I still think you should leave. Only nice people are allowed in here.”
Cassidy, the shop owner, walked over with an armful of books, smiling at all of us. “Is there anything I can help you find?”
“Yes,” I grinned. “Ryder was looking for some self-help books. He needs something to help him with his narcissistic tendencies.”
“And Ellie needs a self-help book for overcoming intense sexual desires,” Ryder said, his eyes laughing at me. “Preferably anything about BDSM.”
I gasped in horror, about to take a swing at him, when Josie grabbed my arms from behind.
“You—”
“Um…I have a feeling I walked in on something that has nothing to do with books,” Cassidy laughed.
“You have to throw him out!” I shouted, losing it just a little.
“You…you want me to throw him out? For what?”
“For being a jerk!”
“I saved your ass in the bar, and now you’re butthurt about it.”
“I am not butthurt! What does that even mean?”
“Ooh! I know this one!” Josie shouted behind me, nearly making me deaf.
“Why don’t you just go away?” I snarled at the man. “This place is for people who love to read. I doubt you’ve ever picked up a book in your life.”
“Then how did I become a lawyer?”
I was so at a loss for anything to say. Thankfully, Josie whispered in my ear, “I heard you got fired.”
“Yeah, I heard you got fired,” I said, feeling rather proud at the moment.
That is, until I saw his face fall and anger take over. That was not the reaction I had been expecting.
He stepped back, actually backed down from our little spat, and reshelved the book he had been looking at. “Have fun in your bookstore,” he muttered as he stormed out.
“Ha!” Josie shouted, leaping in the air. “You won! You so knocked him down and kicked him to the curb!”
But as I watched him walk to his car, I didn’t feel like the victor. I felt like a horrible person, and I was never a horrible person. I was always nice, always aware of how others must be feeling. And instead of taking the high road, I nailed him where it hurt. And for what?
“You won!” Josie laughed. “Why aren’t you happy?”
I gave a small smile so she didn’t press, but the day of shopping was officially ruined. Which was fine. I really shouldn’t be buying anything anyway. Even if I did love books and my TBR was growing faster than my ability to store them.
“Um…is everything okay?” Cassidy asked.
