Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97073 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97073 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“I’m sure she’s proud you’ve stepped in.”
She forces a laugh. “You mind telling that to my mom? She insists I’m wasting my time over here.”
I’m hit with a wave of sympathy. “I’m sorry. Family can be tough.”
She must sense that I speak from experience because her smile gentles, her eyes soften. In a way, I’m no longer the enemy.
“So you’re working with Nathaniel?” she asks, setting aside her task to reach for her coffee. She must not be in too much of a rush this morning. “Does that mean you’re with his publisher?”
“Yes, I’m a newly minted editor with InkWell. Just started actually.”
Her eyebrows rise in surprise. “And you’re already working with Nathaniel? That’s a big deal.”
It strikes me then that everyone calls him Nathaniel—InkWell employees, Martin, Alice—but he gave me permission to call him Nate. Why?
“I guess so. We’ll see if I’m actually successful at it.”
She nods, and then her gaze sweeps across the store. “Well, let me know if I can help you shop for anything. You might be my only customer today.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” She doesn’t seem troubled. “These are the lean months, but it picks up a lot in the spring and summer. They’re talking about adding a festival in late fall that would help bring more people in that time of year as well.”
“And you do e-commerce on the side?” I ask, pointing to the book she was wrapping.
She looks down. “Yes, a lot here lately. Buyers are more interested than ever in collecting rare books, so that’s been good for business too. My grandmother built a really large antiquarian collection.”
I wonder if it’s all housed in the cases near the back or if that’s only part of it.
“Very cool. And do you live nearby?”
I’m curious how anyone does it here. Are they all living like Nate? Off the grid, chopping wood and stacking rocks for fun?
She points up with a lopsided smile, like she’s slightly embarrassed to reveal the answer. “Second-story apartment.”
No way.
“Does it smell like books up there?” I ask with unabashed wonder.
She laughs. “Oh yeah.”
I groan. “A dream! You’re living my dream!”
She blushes. “I mean, it’s good yeah, but it has its ups and downs. Not much in the way of a social life here.”
“Right. I can imagine that’s tough.”
“I go into Kendal a lot. I have a group of friends there. A guy I dated for a while.”
I can’t help but push the subject. “And Nathaniel?”
For some reason, I don’t want her to know I call him Nate. It feels…special. Which is dumb, and I refuse to hold up a magnifying glass to the feeling. Better to glaze over it altogether.
“Nathaniel is a friend, yeah. Insofar as he can be.” She scrunches her nose. “He’s quiet.”
I roll my eyes exaggeratedly. “Tell me about it.”
“And a little…closed off,” she adds.
I bark out a laugh. “Oh my god, yes. I needed this. A Nathaniel Foster support group.” I raise my hand. “Sign me up.”
She laughs. “Has he been tough to work with?”
I level her with a glare that says, What do you think?
“I can imagine. Yeah.”
I swallow and study her, thinking maybe it wouldn’t be too awkward if I asked…
“Have you two dated or anything? Sorry if that’s too personal. I just thought—”
Her eyes widen like she’s been caught red-handed.
“Me and Nathaniel?” She clears her throat and looks down, fidgets with the package on the counter, and then finally sighs. “Yeah, I mean. We’ve…kind of gone there. But it was a while ago.”
“Ah.”
Her brown eyes look up, worry-filled now that she’s been honest.
“I won’t bring it up with him,” I promise. “I was just curious. The dating scene must be tough.”
“We’re not totally lacking eligible men.” I arch a brow, prompting her to laugh and continue, “I mean it! There are a few. Nathaniel’s not the only good-looking guy around here.”
Sure, but even still. Nate has to be a cut above the rest. He’s a ten, the total package. Drop him in New York City and the women would turn rabid.
The phone on the counter rings and she shoots me an apologetic glance before reaching for it. “Main Street Books. Alice speaking.”
I motion that I’m going to shop while she deals with the customer on the phone, and then I spend a few minutes browsing the shelves. Back at the cottage, Nate has more than enough reading material to keep me occupied, but I want to support Alice’s shop. I settle on a cozy mystery then grab a Main Street Books tote bag as well. It’s more expensive than I would like, but I’m too embarrassed to say anything after Alice rings it up, so I just hand over my card and cry a little inside.
“Thanks for stopping in.” Alice passes over my book tucked in my new bag.
“Thanks for letting me use your bathroom.”
She laughs. “Anytime. Let me know if I can be helpful with Nathaniel or if you want to hang out while you’re in town. Actually, you know what? A few of us are meeting for an early dinner tonight. Do you have plans? Why don’t you join?”