Bookstore Barbie (Magnolia Ridge #1) - Alexa Riley Page 0,1
coffee isn’t enough?” My shoulders drop. If only it was that easy.
“People love free shit.”
“I’m not sure Missy will love that I’m giving away free coffee.” I point to the coffee shop next door. I’m not one for coffee, but they do have killer brownies over there—not that I get to eat them anymore.
“She’s a bitch.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to agree because she is a mega bitch. “I think she’s just pissed you called her out.”
“I wasn't trying to say she didn’t make the brownies!” All I said was that I was impressed with how fast she cooked them. She rolled in next door at the coffee shop a few minutes before opening and always had her food ready to go. I’d get there seconds after her to grab something to eat and it was all there. I was impressed because I’m a snail in the mornings. I thought I was complimenting her, but she didn’t take it that way.
Now I’ve been banned from next door. Banned. I’ve never been banned from anything in my whole life. I’m pretty sure she’s telling people to not come to my store either. I’m starting to learn she’s the queen bee of gossip here in Magnolia Springs.
I didn't know about all these politics and small-town antics until after I opened my bookstore. I didn't think being so close to a big city there would be this kind of behavior, but I was wrong. So far, Kayla is the only friend I’ve made here.
Everyone else is nice enough but never overly friendly. I’ve ruffled some feathers with my bookstore because I only sell romance books. There’s a small children's section in the back but those books aren’t for sale. Those I have marked as a lending library for children to check out and return on good faith.
“I’ve been thinking about Little-Miss-Stick-Up-Her-Ass. I think we should do a stakeout and let everyone in town know she doesn't bake shit.” Again she glares at the wall that connects our two buildings. She's more worked up than normal about Missy.
“Is there something you want to tell me?” I drop the notepads on my desk as I try to move the coffee machine over. I’m still going to have to think of a way to get Kayla to take it back because I don’t want to cause more problems.
“She’s telling people you’ve got books in here that should be burned.” Kayla rolls her eyes. “I think she needs a good dicking.”
I let out a bark of laughter and my hand flies over my mouth to try and muffle it.
This isn't the first time I’ve heard people talk crap on romance. I have no shame in the books I love and people can think whatever they want. I know what a good love story can do for your soul and one day I hope to find my own. Until then I’ll live through the pages of my books.
“I think she needs a good book,” I counter.
Missy gets a lot of dicking from what I can tell. What I don’t think she gets is a lot of love. It makes it hard for me to stay mad at her when I feel sorry for her, not that I’m one to talk. It’s not like my love life is blowing up outside the pages.
“So are we setting this up?” Kayla taps the coffee machine. “It can make hot chocolate too.” She wiggles her eyebrows because she knows she’s going straight for my weakness. It’s not like things can get worse with Missy if she is already saying my books should be burned.
“Fine. I’ll set up the coffee machine, and you paint the window.”
“Deal.” She grabs her backpack and pets Romeo on the head before going to the front of the store. I watch as she pops in her headphones and gets to work. I can’t wait to see what new exciting art she’s going to craft.
I grab an empty table from the back of the store and bring it up front. It doesn’t take long to set up the machine, but I’ll need to buy some supplies for it. Just as I’m making a mental list, I hear the bell over the door sound.
In my heart I hope it’s the first of many new customers to come.
Chapter Two
Shaw
It’s cold and rainy today, which is exactly why my mom requested a book. I have no doubts I could send one of her nurses, but that’s not their job.