Page 120 of Battle of the Bookstores

Then it’s my turn: “That sharp increase you noticed in my sales over the last month—that’s because of Josie. She had incredible ideas for maximizing Happy Endings’ efficiency, from our organizational structure to our strategy for placing orders. It’s been a game changer.”

“And Ryan has a knack for bringing people together and creating spaces where they want to stay and spend their money.” Josie takes the spreadsheet we prepared and slides it across the table to Xander. “The numbers speak for themselves. If Ryan and I manage the new store together, you’ll get the best of us both and the profit margin will more than make up for any additional overhead.”

Xander takes the piece of paper in one hand, continuing to pet Hades with the other. The silence is torture, and I slip my hand under the table and give Josie’s leg a comforting squeeze. She places her hand on top of mine and links our fingers while we wait for the verdict.

Finally, Xander sets the paper down and narrows his eyes, studying us. Josie unclasps our hands and brings hers above the table, folding them in front of her.

She breaks the silence: “What do you think?”

“I think,” Xander says, “that it was incredibly stupid of you to give up your competitive advantage.”

“Stupid?” Josie repeats. There’s a laugh in her voice, but I know it’s covering hurt.

“Idiotic,” Xander says, directing that venomous word toward her. My hands clench into fists under the table. “Honestly, Josie, I thought you were smarter than that. Helping the person you’re competing against? The person you could’ve beat with your hands tied behind your back?”

His words sting—and not only because he’s berating thewoman I love. It’s my worst fear coming true: that I’m not good enough, that I’ve ridden Josie’s coattails like Georgia suggested.

“You were ahead all summer,” Xander says to Josie. “Until the past few weeks, when Ryan pulled ahead—because of you, apparently.” He shakes his head and makes atsking noise. “I thought you wanted this job.”

“I did…I do,” Josie says. Her voice wavers, and it takes every ounce of my self-control not to lunge across the table at Xander.

“Such a shame.” His sinister smile pushes me over the edge.

“The only shame is you, missing the point,” I snap.

“Am I?” Xander turns to address me now. “Interesting, since I was about to give you a compliment—this is the smartest thing I’ve seen you do since I bought your silly little bookstore. Befriending the competition, playing nice so you could steal her business plans? Very sly.”

“He didn’t steal anything,” Josie says, her voice sharp.

“We worked together,” I tell him. “We make a good team. And if you hire me, I’ll just hire Josie as my co-manager—”

“No, you won’t.” Xander’s eyes narrow. “I’m underwater because of this renovation—I’m putting you on a hiring freeze. The whole point of this competition was to eliminate one of your salaries, not this kumbaya bullshit.”

“This really is just a game to you,” Josie says, more to herself than to Xander.

“Business is a game, sweetheart,” Xander says. “And you just lost. As for you”—he moves his gaze toward me—“I suppose that makes you…‘the winner’ seems like a stretch, but here we are. Congratulations, Lawson, you’re the new manager.”

Josie won’t look at me, but I can’t tear my eyes away from her—this complicated, beautiful, smart, passionate woman. Even at my best, I know I’m not good enough for her or this store. And I intend to keep the promise I made her sister: to put her first.

Fueled by fury and justice and yes, love, I stand and look down at Xander. A glimmer of fear crosses his face, and for once, I’m grateful for my size.

“I don’t care if your dick is small, or your mother never loved you, or whatever wound you’re trying to heal,” I say, “there is no excuse for this bullshit.”

I keep my eyes trained on Xander, who’s scowling. If I look at Josie, I might break. And I can’t—because it’s about damn time someone stood up for her. She’s going to get her dream, even if it means I have to lose mine.

“If I didn’t care so much about this fucking bookstore, I’d say we should both walk out and leave you scrambling. But this store, our staff, our customers, our community—they matter more than anyone’s ego, yours or mine. And there’s only one person who should be running this place.”

Xander’s face is beet red; he looks like the devil he is. But I’m not done yet.

“In case it’s not clear, I quit. The job should be Josie’s.” I risk a glance down to see her looking up at me with a dazed expression I can’t read. “The job should be yours.”

And with that, I walk out the front door with my heart broken but my head held high.

29

Josie

I’m rooted tomy chair, trying to grasp what just happened. I’ve never seen Ryan so furious. And now…he’s gone?

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