It’s so tempting to keep up the ruse a little longer. I mean, Sleighbell Springs might not be a bustling metropolitan area, but we’ve managed to keep up with the times. Mostly. “Of course. Do you think I run this store without internet?” I wave my hands around. Look, I know it’s not Barnes and Noble, but I think that’s part of the charm. Nothing against the big stores, but part of the charm is having someone who can point customers in the right direction. I know the kinds of things everyone in town likes to read, can make recommendations, run summer reading challenges, and serve as a community gathering place. All with the help of broadband internet.
“I just thought maybe…you know, I’m going to stop digging myself a hole.”
“Here, I’ll write it down for you.” I grab one of the sticky notes with the Tannenbaum Tales logo that I keep on the counter to write down customer recommendations and scribble the network name and password. “There. Let me know if it gives you any trouble.”
“KirithKirin?” He attempts to pronounce the password.
“Yep, all one word. Don’t forget to capitalize the Ks.” Most people have no idea that the reference is a fantasy novel that I read as a teenager. Probably one of those that parents now would screen and keep their children from reading. Mine were just happy that I was focused on something school-related instead of partying or drinking. It was the first time I saw a queer character portrayed on the page in a positive light.
“Is it from a book or something?”
“Something like that. Was there something else?” I don’t want to explain my love for the character or the book to anyone, especially not to Chase.
“Oh, is it okay for me to get curtains?”
“Curtains?”
“Or blinds? Shades? Anything to keep the sun out of my eyes in the morning?”
“Right. Of course.” Yet another thing that should’ve been obvious to me. “I can grab some later today and then install them whenever is good for you.” The hardware store should have something in stock that works for me. Later, I can check online and find something more on-brand. Maybe someone makes curtains covered with books or words. Someone must make something like that.
“Nick got in again.”
I blink a few times, trying to process the information. “Are you sure he wasn’t there when you went to bed last night?”
“Positive. You were down here with him.”
That part I can’t argue with. Both Nick and I were down here, staring at each other. “And you made sure to shut the door? He’s pretty sneaky and knows how to push them open if they aren’t closed tightly.” That one has been a bit of a problem. He pushed open the door a few times when one of my seasonal employees was in the bathroom. That ended with a lot of shrieking, a few scared customers, and one very smug cat.
“Does he pick locks, too? Because it was still latched from the inside this morning.”
That one I have a harder time explaining. Nick is smart, but without thumbs, he’s slightly limited. At least I think. Maybe he’s been practicing when I’m not around. “I don’t know. When I put in the curtains, I can have a look around.” I almost promise to give Nick a stern talking-to, before I realize how ridiculous that sounds.
I’ll have that chat with him, but I suspect it won’t make a difference.
“Okay.” He turns to head back toward the stairs to the apartment. Russ’s words circle in my mind. It would be nice to have some extra help around here. With the summer readingBINGOchallenge in full swing, there will be an increase in foot traffic.
“Chase?” I call after him.
“Yeah?” He turns back toward me, his body twisting so I can see even more of his amazing thighs and that stupid owl tattoo.
“I was wondering…well, I was hoping that maybe you might…”
“Just spit it out.”
“Do you want a job? It’s not much, only about ten hours a week, but I could use the help.”
He takes a deep breath, obviously winding up to turn me down. That’s what I get for listening to Russ.
“Yeah, that would be great. Plus, I can’t imagine I’ll find anywhere with an easier commute.”
“Great. When can you start?”
Chase snorts. “Literally any time. I’m basically just sitting around doing nothing.”
“Okay, well, if you show up at nine tomorrow, I can get you oriented and do the paperwork.” My least favorite thing about being a business owner. Apparently, it’s a necessary part of owning a store. At least that’s what my accountant tells me.
“Thanks. I appreciate it. I’ll make sure to tell my brother that you offered.”
