Page 30 of Cookie

“I’m hoping today is busy since it’s Black Friday,” I said, and while he was making coffee, I checked that everything was ready for customers. “I’ve put everything in the store half off.”

“Really? That’s a great deal. Even the new stuff?”

“Yes. I’m hoping I sell more volume and hook people once they come in.” I’d been able to get some great deals from vendors the past few weeks, so I was stocked as much as I could be. By putting it all on sale, I hoped it would bring some new customers in.

“Is Avery working?” Charlie asked.

“Yes, but if you’re not busy, you’re more than welcome to come help.”

“I might be able to do that,” he said. I wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be a busy day at an auto shop, but I was hoping most of the stores along the street were filled with shoppers ready tospend some money on early Christmas presents. He kissed me just as the bell on the door rang.

“Ryan?”

“Back here,” I said.

“I’m going to go see how busy it is. I might or might not be right back,” Charlie said. He pulled me in for another kiss and dipped me low, making me yelp and Avery laugh as she walked back to get her own coffee.

“Hey, Charlie,” she said, and he answered with a wave while taking a sip of his coffee.

I was once again reminded how much my life had changed since moving here. It was so different to the city, and in some ways, I missed the hustle and bustle of the holidays there, but for so many other reasons, I never wanted to go back.

Twenty-Seven

Charlie

The shop was slow in the morning, just like I knew it would be, but I was busy enough to keep my mind focused on the task at hand, and not the steady stream of people going into the bookstore. “Oh my god, go ahead,” Dad said when he walked by the car I was currently doing an oil change on.

“What?” I asked as I wiped my hands on a cloth.

“I’ve been watching you the past ten minutes and you haven’t taken your eyes off the bookstore. Go ahead. I’ll finish here,” he said and pushed me aside.

“You don’t have to do that. I’m nearly done.”

“Go on, I’m fine to finish up.” He winked at me before once again pushing me aside to get to the engine.

After washing my hands, I hurried across the street and walked into Ryan’s store. It was busier than I’d ever seen it, and even though he’d bought more inventory, the shelves looked bare. “Hey, did you want me to restock?” I asked as I walked over to where Ryan was helping someone at the counter.

“My hero! Yes please,” he said, and turned back to the customer, who said hello to me before I walked toward the storeroom.

“Oh, thank god you’re here,” Avery said, as she rushed out of the backroom. “Would you mind restocking the puzzles? There are none out there, and I know Ryan wants to sell as many as we can.” She pointed out the boxes, and I gathered as many as Icould carry. As soon as I put them on the table where they were displayed, a few people grabbed them.

“Do you have more of those?” someone asked.

“Let me go check.” I knew there were more, but I wasn’t sure exactly how many there were. I picked up as many as I had taken before and tried to at least get them set down before they were snatched up. The place was busier than I’d ever seen it, but Ryan was so happy. The person who’d asked for more puzzles quickly chose two before thanking me. But my focus was on my boyfriend and how he was in his element.

“Charlie, can you bring out that box of books on the table?” Avery asked, bringing me back to reality.

“Sure.” I hurried back and picked up the box she’d asked for and tried to figure out where they wanted it without bothering either of them before settling on putting them behind the counter. I then continued to keep bringing out stock until it was finally closing time.

Ryan slumped against the door as he locked it after the last customer left. “Oh my god,” he said before grinning at both Avery and me. “Guys, we did it.” Avery walked over to him and took both of his hands before jumping up and down.

“We did it! We survived our first Black Friday sale.” Ryan laughed along with her before looking past her at me. She turned to look at me before rolling her eyes.

“Okay, I can tell it’s time for me to go,” Avery said, and after speaking to Ryan a moment more, she had her coat on and was out the door.

“Have I told you how proud I am of you?” I asked as I walked slowly to where Ryan still stood grinning at me.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said and leaned against the door again.

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