Page 22 of The Secret Heir Next Door

I pause for a moment, considering how to respond. “It’s organized chaos, but it works for me. I can find whatever I need, even if it doesn’t look perfect. Progress over perfection, right?”

He scoffs lightly, shaking his head. “You’ve got to admit, though, it’s a bit of a mess. How do you even run a business like this? Customers must be baffled.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. “It’s not a mess to me, and it doesn’t seem to bother my regular customers either. They know what to expect and appreciate the personal touch.”

Logan walks further into the shop, his eyes scanning the disarray with a critical eye.

“Personal touch or not, this place is overflowing with inventory. How do you keep track of what you actually need and what you don’t? This is way more than a small shop should carry.”

I follow him, picking up a stray box from the floor. “I keep track of everything through a system I’ve set up. It might not be the most conventional, but it works. And as for the inventory, it’s my choice to have a variety of items available. It helps me cater to a wider audience.”

Logan’s gaze lingers on a shelf that’s leaning precariously. “And how’s that working out for you? It looks like you’redrowning in stock that’s probably just gathering dust. Don’t they have a best-by date? How much do you throw away?”

I shoot him a pointed look, trying to keep my tone even. “I don’t throw anything away. I donate it.”

He shoots me a look.

“How much money are you losing?”

“I have a loyal customer base that appreciates having options. Just because the shop isn’t up to your standards doesn’t mean it’s not successful.”

“Maybe, but from a business perspective, it’s not ideal. You might attract more customers if you cleaned up and organized better.”

The audacity of this man.

Who in the hell does he think he is?

“It’s a matter of perspective. I value the personal relationships I build with my customers over a pristine store layout. And honestly, they come here for the unique items and the atmosphere, not just for a perfectly organized space.”

Logan’s lips twitch into a half-smile that feels more condescending than reassuring. “I get that you have your way of doing things, but if you ever want to grow or improve, you might need to reconsider some of your methods. A little organization can go a long way.”

I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms. “And a little flexibility can go a long way too. My system might not be textbook, but it’s been working for me for years. Sometimes, the traditional approach isn’t the only way to succeed.”

He sighs. “Alright, fair enough. But if you ever want any advice on streamlining things, I’m happy to offer some pointers.”

I give him a polite smile, feeling satisfied with my composure. “I appreciate the offer, but for now, I think I’ll stick to what I know. Thanks for stopping by, though.”

“I didn’t mean to come off as overly critical. I just thought I’d offer some help. But if you’re happy with how things are, that’s all that matters.”

“Exactly,” I reply, feeling a bit more at ease. “I appreciate the concern, but I’ve got things under control.”

He nods, still looking around but clearly ready to leave. “Alright, Serena. I guess I’ll leave you to your ‘organized chaos.’ But seriously, don't hesitate to reach out if you change your mind about getting some advice.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I say with a smile.

He chuckles, heading toward the door. “No problem. I’ll see you around.”

As the bell jingles again and he steps out, I sigh in relief. The encounter was a bit challenging, but I’m proud of how I handled it. It’s always a balancing act to defend my unconventional methods while being open to constructive criticism.

Except it wasn’t constructive criticism. It was him being an asshole.

I return to tidying up the shop, focusing on getting things back into some semblance of order. The mess might sometimes be a bit overwhelming, but it reflects my unique approach to running this place. And as long as my customers are happy and my business is thriving, that’s what really counts.

As I work, I think about Logan’s visit and his comments. A part of me wonders if he’s right—if there’s room for improvement in how I run things. But for now, I’m content with my approach and the personal touch that defines my shop.

The bell above the door jingles once more, and I look up, ready to greet the next customer with a warm smile and a bit of the organized chaos that makes my shop uniquely mine.

6

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