Page 5 of Silver Linings
“No promises!”
two
. . .
I’melbows deep in our newest shipment, prepping it to go on shelves by logging the UPC numbers, inputting the quantity on hand, and actively trying not to go cross-eyed from the mind numbing task.
I love my job, and I’m distinctly aware a lot of people can’t say that. The first time I walked into Brownstone Books as a freshman in college, an unenthusiastic Kena in tow, I knew in my bones that I wanted to work here. I walked right up to Pat, not knowing she was the owner, and asked to interview. I needed a job, and as it turned out, she needed a part timer. It was the closest I’ve come to love at first sight. I didn’t even have to regale Pat with my extensive knowledge of books. She claimed she had a feeling about me, and she always followed her gut. I guess she was right, since I’ve worked here for the better part of a decade.
With Holly gone for the day, I’m left logging the new releases into the system on my own when our part-timer, Carmen, comes out from the stockroom, caramel curls bouncing with each step.
“Okay, I organized the romance backstock by sub-genre so it’s easier for all of us to find things. We have—” she pauses and takes a deep breath, counting them off on her fingers,“—rom-coms, rom-sads, mafia romance, regency romance, and last but not least, highlander romance.” I’m about to comment something along the lines of,is that all, when she pipes up again. “Oh, and they are all organized alphabetically by author, and labeled with stickers for easy visibility. I’ll tackle thrillers tomorrow.”
“You’re honestly terrifying sometimes.”
“You know label makers are like aphrodisiacs to me.”
Carmen joined our team last year after she moved from Arizona to attend Columbia. She is currently pre-law and terrifyingly smart. Plus, her compulsive need to organize everything here works to my benefit, so I don’t complain.
“We need more variety,” she continues, unable to sit in silence for too long.
“What do you mean?”
“The store… It needs more variety. The way it stands now, it’s kind of a dinosaur. Oh, don’t give me that face.” She must read my expression, but she perseveres. “Ilovethis place. You know this is like the family I never had. That’s why I care so much, and I know you do too. Silver, this place has been a part of you forsolong, but it needs a facelift and a better business model that will bring in customers. I’ve heard you and Holly talk about it before. You need to talk to Pat.”
I look around the store, the place I’ve called my second home for a decade.
Ten years ago, it used to be charming and worn in. Now, though…even I admit, it’s looking a little ramshackle. It could use a good clean out, fresh fixtures, and a good coat of paint. At aminimum.
She was right, I have thought about it, but I never wanted to rock the boat. If Pat was happy with her shop, who was I to suggest changes? But the fact that Carmen is noticing our slowdown in business is alarming. Maybe she’s right, and thisis the wake up call we need to do something, fix the place up a little and curate a collection of books that will sell, not just a few obvious bestsellers while the rest collect dust.
“You’re right. I’ll talk to Holly and get a game plan together for the next time Pat is in. We can talk to her about it together with ideas already in place. You know how particular she can be.” I take a sip of my cold brew resting on the counter.
“Monster smut!” Carmen shouts, jumping up and down and clapping her hands.
“Uh—” I’m not even sure what to say, but she doesn’t give me the chance before launching into her bid for horny monsters.
“Don’t knock it till you try it, Silver. I know you’re afreak.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “It’s really taken off on TikTok the past couple years, and there aresomany good monster romance books out now. Plus, I know you like those fantasy books, the ones where the men have wings. This isn’t really that far off. I have so many recommendations for you already. There’s a particularly delicious one, a mashup of an Indiana Jones-type quest with shapeshifters.” She beams at me.
Admittedly, that does pique my curiosity quite a bit.
“I’m not sure monster romance is the way to get Pat on board, but let’s start a list of potential genres we’re missing out on. I know we can use more fantasy romance and more thrillers from this decade. Oh! Hockey!” I exclaim.
“Hockey?” Carmen parrots.
I groan just thinking about it. “God, yes. Hockey romances are the pinnacle of a wet dream.”
“Don’t hockey players have missing teeth?”
“Not the fictional ones.” I sigh dreamily. “The men are beefcake sex gods who dominate on the ice and in bed.” Now it’s my turn to waggle my eyebrows.
“I don’t like sports, but I’m titillated enough to ask for a recommendation.”
A smile stretches across my face. “I’m actually getting really excited by this.”
“Well yeah, beefcake sex gods get my engines going too, but we’re at work, so…”
“No, not that—well yes,alwaysthat—but I meant the idea of fixing this place up and curating our stock.” But the more I thought about it, the more nervous I got that Pat would think me foolish and say no.
