Page 100 of Spotlight
“The largest in the city,” I say proudly. “If you ever want recommendations for your store, I’m happy to help.”
As soon as I offer, I want to kick myself. What am I doing? I can’t help the enemy.
It doesn’t matter though. Walter’s lips smash together, and he makes a disapproving hum. I’m fairly certain that’s a no.
The barista calls out his name and Walter gives me a polite nod instead of responding to my offer. He picks up his drink and leaves the café. I really don’t get that guy or how he’s managed to create such a cozy, friendly bookstore when he’s…not.
I’m hot when I get back to the store. I tell Gigi about the run-in, and she confirms he dropped by earlier with a stack of mail.
“He seems lonely,” Gigi says. “Go easy on him.”
“He dissed the store and made a face like romance is an unworthy genre.”
“I don’t think that’s what he did.” She smiles. “He said we have a big romance section, which is true.”
“The biggest in the city,” I add, just like I had done with Walter. “And he completely dismissed my offer to help him, like I couldn’t possibly have any knowledge worth sharing.”
“By your own account you didn’t really want to help.”
“But I would have,” I say defensively.
Gigi gives me a patronizing look but doesn’t say any more.
I’m still stewing over it when Grandpa stops by at the end of the day with Greer. The latter trudges in with a frown that would be comical if it weren’t also heartbreaking.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, smoothing her curls away from her face.
“Nothing,” she says in a voice that basically says the opposite.
I look to Grandpa who shrugs.
Gigi steps out from behind the counter and motions for Greer. “Why don’t you help me in the back? We got in some new princess books today.”
A flicker of excitement crosses her face, but she slams the door on it quickly, returning to her sullen mood. When they’re gone, I step closer to Grandpa.
“What’s that about?” I ask him. Greer is usually a bundle of joy when she greets me after school. She gets this look of pure happiness when she sees me and then runs to hug me like she just can’t wait another second. I live for those moments.
“She wouldn’t say, but she had this with her.” Grandpa hands me a piece of paper and then squeezes my shoulder. Confusion and concern mar my brow as he heads the same direction Gigi and Greer went.
I focus on the paper. Greer’s familiar stick people art makes me smile. I recognize myself by my big blue eyes, she always exaggerates them in pictures, and Greer by her wild, curly hair. She’s holding my hand and on the other side of her is a man I immediately identify as Flynn. He’s in a blue cap with a baseball glove.
She’s gotten attached to him, which doesn’t concern me as much as maybe it should. Maybe he won’t always be in her life, but isn’t it better to have this relationship with him now so she knows what’s possible?
I’m mulling that over while simultaneously trying to figure out why this could have prompted her to be so upset when she stomps back out. Gigi and Grandpa follow her, looking as perplexed as I feel. Rarely do her bad moods last this long and almost always a new book pulls her out of a funk.
“I want to go home,” Greer says as she crosses her arms over her chest.
My brain spins on what to say in response. It’s so out of character for her that I’m at a loss.
“I can close up here,” Gigi offers.
I nod. Part of me doesn’t want to give in to her tantrum, but the other part knows something is going on and I want to figure it out so I can fix it. ASAP.
24
FLYNN
Holland Brothers
