Page 18 of Fault Lines
What kind of woman let her husband do this? Why wasn’t I stronger? If Rachel was in my shoes, she’d tell him to get lost. She wouldn’t hesitate. Even if she’d never judge me out loud, I still felt it in my bones.
Without really noticing, I ended up outside Timeless Treasures, the used bookstore-slash-antique shop I’d found a while back. I must have walked for ages. But maybe I needed the walk, needed the distraction. Maybe it was a sign.
I slipped inside, the jingle of the bell soft overhead.
“Good to see you again, Olivia,” Mr. Porter called from where he was fussing with a new romance novel display. “Did you finish those books you bought?”
I couldn’t help but smile a little at that. “I did, thanks. They were wonderful.”
He brightened. “Come for more? Because I have just the thing.” He picked up a paperback with a couple in a passionate embrace. “These are flying off the tables!” He held it out to me.
My heart dropped at the cover. I couldn’t stomach reading about love winning out, not when my own was crumbling apart.
I handed it back. “Not today. Maybe fantasy or horror? Something different.”
He sized me up, then waved me over. “Gotcha. If it’s horror you want, I’ve got the newest Stephen King, just came in.”
I took the thick, heavy book from him. “Perfect—it could keep me busy for a year.”
He grinned, but when I brought it to the counter, he stalled. “One second,” he said, disappearing into the back room.
I listened while he banged around, wondering if he needed help, when a familiar voice walked in over the bell.
“Nate!” I blurted before I could stop myself.
He looked up, all surprise. “Um, Livi, right?” His smile stretched so wide it nearly cracked his face.
I nodded. “Small world. You here for a book or a trinket?” I leaned in, like we might be in on some secret.
He laughed. “Neither, technically.”
Just then, Mr. Porter bustled back in, coffee in hand. “Ah, I see you’ve met my grandson.”
I blinked. “Your grandson?”
Nate just grinned sheepishly. “I’m here helping Pops, since his last help bailed for college. Supposed to hire someone new, but he’s picky.”
“I have valuable wares, Nathaniel. I can’t hire just anyone. None of the applicants even read, can you imagine? What sort of bookstore hires someone who doesn’t read?” Mr. Porter looked scandalized.
“He has a point,” I teased.
Nate pointed at the book in my hand. “Well, you clearly read. Why not work here? Take the pressure off me?”
I laughed. “If only. I haven’t been able to get a job anywhere.”
Mr. Porter perked up, like a fox sniffing out a hen. “Are you really looking? Because I need the help, seriously.”
“I am, but…” I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Think about it. Talk to your husband,” he gestured to my wedding band, “if you want. It’s simple work, and since you love books, it might be fun. Plus, you’d get an employee discount.”
My mind spun. After months of nothing, a job just dropped in my lap?
“Don’t you want an interview?” I asked, half-joking.
He chuckled, waving his hand. “No need. I liked you from the moment you walked in. I trust my gut.” He eyed Nate. “But how do you two know each other?”
“We saw a movie together,” I said. “My husband bailed and I had an extra ticket.”
