Page 7 of Faking Romance

I shake her hand. “Welcome aboard,” I reply.

Jocelyn is a graduate student at a nearby university. She’s studying literature and wants to be a teacher or a professor. Her favorite genre is romance. We spent most of the interview discussing our favorite books. And by her third favorite, I knew she would make the perfect employee for my bookstore.

She looks around us. I started ordering books and merchandise last week and the boxes have begun arriving. I haven’t even started organizing anything yet.

“You really don’t want me to start until you open in a few weeks, because it looks like you could use the help,” she says as she stands and walks over to a table of boxes.

I look around us. I have all the furniture set up. The paint is dry on the walls. All my financial stuff is set up and I’m moved into the small studio apartment in the back. It’s essentially ready to go other than getting everything out and doing inventory.

“Maybe you can come in on Friday?” I suggest as I realize that I probably do need her to work a day or two before we open. “I won’t be able to pay you at the rate we discussed until we’re open,” I explain. I have already opened our online store, but that is just part of the income for my small business and not nearly enough to pay my bills, the store’s bills, and an employee.

She waves me off as she looks inside a box sitting near her. She squeals. “I’ve been dying to read this book. I didn’t think it came out for another week.”

“Yeah. I know someone at the publisher and they got me a box of them. I can’t sell them until after next week, which works out since we won’t open until after the release date.”

“That’s awesome. I definitely want to buy one…with my employee discount,” she adds with a smirk.

I shake my head and laugh. “I’ll set one aside for each of us.”

“Sweet. OK, well, I’m going to head out to class. I’ll see you Friday. I guess let me know what time,” she says as she makes her way to the door.

“Will do. I’ll get all the paperwork together and we can fill that out, then,” I say. She nods as she leaves and I sit back down. Holy shitballs! I just hired my first employee. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.

I pull out my phone and text my one and only true friend, Taylor Perkins.

Me: I just hired an employee!

Tay: Holy crap! You’re like a real businesswoman! I’m so proud of you!

Me: IRK (big eyes emoji)

Tay: I wish I could be there for your opening day. (Sad face emoji)

Me: Me too (crying emoji)

Tay: I promise I’ll come see the store as soon as I’m stateside.

Me: You better!

Tay: Pinky promise.

I smile and set my phone down. Taylor just took a job in Spain as an English teacher. I’m thrilled for her, but I’m also sad that I won’t see her for at least six months. I really need to make some more friends.

I text my sibling chat next. I’m the second oldest of four kids. My older sister, Cybil, lives in New York City and teaches economics at NYU. My brother, Jasper, works for a big software company and does analytics or something. I never really understand his job when he tries to explain it. And my little sister, Isla, goes to the same grad school as Jocelyn where she’s studying marketing. They are all super successful and smart. Meanwhile, I barely graduated college with a degree in communications. I have had a string of jobs, almost as long as my list of guys I’ve gone on one date with aside from Richard, my jerk ex. I can’t seem to get either of those things right. So when our grandmother died and left us each some money, I decided to do something totally crazy. My family thinks I’m making a big mistake by sinking my inheritance into a bookstore, but I felt stifled living with my parents and I knew if I didn’t try making my passion a reality, I’d always regret it. So here I am, trying to make one of my dreams come true. I just hope I don’t fail.

* * *

A knock on my door has me pulling my head out of a box of books. I walk over and open the door to find Carly standing there.

“Hey, I’m not sure if Al told you, but we have a weekly happy hour up on the roof if you want to stop by. It starts at five,” she says.

“Oh, I…” I trail off as I look down at my watch and then over at my boxes. It’s quarter till five. I should keep going but a drink and social interaction sounds like a better plan. Al had mentioned something about Thursday happy hours, but I’d forgotten. I’ve been so busy that I haven’t met most of the people in the building yet. I don’t want anyone else mad at me over noises, so it’d probably be best to get to know them in a friendly setting just in case other people end up with concerns like Mr. Porter. “Uh, sure, yeah, I’ll come up.”

“Cool. I just need to go get Ava and then I’ll meet you up there,” she says with a wave.

I wave back and then finish going through a box of romantasy books before I head up to the roof. I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t know how to get up there. I start up the stairs and nearly run into someone as I turn the corner to walk up the next flight.

I start to flail backward and strong hands grab my shoulders.

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