Page 42 of Battle of the Bookstores

BookshopGirl:You know how characters in books always have a wound from their childhood that drives their growth and the plot? Do you think all people have that, too?

RJ.Reads:I think we all have many, many wounds. Some that we don’t even understand. That’s why therapists have jobs.

BookshopGirl:True. What do you think your wound is?

BookshopGirl:Never mind—that’s none of my business. Sorry!

RJ.Reads:No, I don’t mind sharing.

RJ.Reads:Mine probably comes back to never being enough. I was the participation trophy kid in a first-place family.

BookshopGirl:I can relate.

RJ.Reads:No way. You were probably the smartest person in your high school.

BookshopGirl:Maybe—but then I went to college where everyone was thesmartest kid in their high school. I didn’t have what it takes to finish. I had to drop out during my senior year.

RJ.Reads:I’m sorry. I bet that was rough.

BookshopGirl:It was awful. Not just because I dropped out, but because of everything that led up to it.

RJ.Reads:Like…?

RJ.Reads:Sorry, you don’t need to tell me. Just letting you know I’m open to hearing more if you’re wanting to share.

BookshopGirl:Maybe another time. I guess my point is, I can’t shake this deep-rooted fear that I don’t have what it takes to succeed. Not at college. Not in my job. Not in life.

RJ.Reads:For what it’s worth, everything I’ve ever seen of you has made it clear that you’re smart, hardworking, and passionate. I get the sense that you have the ability to overcome whatever life throws at you.

BookshopGirl:Thanks. I hope that’s true.

BookshopGirl:Anyway, that’s probably my wound.

RJ.Reads:Thanks for trusting me with it.

BookshopGirl:Thanks for listening.

12

Ryan

I’m sitting inmy second-favorite nook before the store opens, about to push play on an audiobook, when my phone rings. It’s Xander.

“Lawson,” he says, and I cringe. I hate the machismo bro-y vibe of the whole last-name thing, and the fact that it implies some level of history or friendship. Xander Laing and I are not friends. “Sorry I had to jet yesterday,” he says. “You know how it is.”

“I do,” I say, even though I don’t.

“Listen,” Xander says, getting right down to business. “Your profits are up compared to last June. I’m impressed.”

“Thank you,” I say, sitting up a little taller at the unexpected compliment. “I can’t take all the credit. My team has been—”

“Unfortunately,” Xander cuts in, “you’re slightly behind Josie.”

“Oh,” I say, my face falling. I’m such an idiot—of course my numbers being higher than normal doesn’t mean anything compared to hers.

“It’s going to be close,” he says, giving me a tiny spark ofhope. “So you’ll have to pull out your A game if you want to keep your job. Hopefully that’ll motivate your staff, too.”

I try to swallow, but my throat’s gone dry. “Their jobs will be safe either way, right? The profits are only going to determine the manager job.”

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