My Beautiful Neighbor (The Greene Family #1) - Piper Rayne Page 0,76

kids’ section because she said I should put my most loved books from when I was younger, front and center. I watch while the people of Sunrise Bay walk into my new store for the first time.

“Now you can sample the beers over at Truth or Dare, but we both have the bundles of the beer and books to purchase,” I announce, but everyone is looking around and they don’t seem to pay much attention.

Clara elbows me. “Everything’s going great. A few old ladies are in the romance section, pretending to be lost.”

I’m not surprised that I recognize them from the Northern Lights Retirement Center.

A few customers ask me for specific books, telling me they love that I’ll be just down the street. Others ask me about special orders and if they can place a request. A woman approaches me about starting a book club one night a month because she loves discussing books but none of her friends like to read what she does.

Everything is going great. Midway through the night, the crowd dwindles because I’m sure most of them are congregated over in Truth or Dare—hopefully buying more books and beer. Jed said it’s important that we sell a lot tonight, that there’s some kind of bragging rights for the two companies that earn the most.

“Seems everyone loves your store.” Mom comes alongside me as I’m checking a woman out.

“I think so.”

“Now you just have to hope it continues and it’s not a one-night thing.”

My mom can be pessimistic when it comes to something that’s working against her. And The Story Shop succeeding is definitely working against her because it means I’ll stay here.

Over the years, I’ve learned not to fight with her but go with the flow. No need to rile her up when nothing is final. “I hope so.”

Her hand runs down my back. “You did a great job. I’m going to head next door and check out what they’re doing to drive business here.”

“Really?” I ask because a brewery is not my mom’s scene.

“Well, I want to make sure they’re showing off your books just as much as they are their beer.”

Clara smiles from across the room.

“Clara, do you want to take her over there?” I ask.

She sets down the book in her hand. “Sure. Come on, Mrs. Knight. You might like one of the beers.”

“Oh no, I do not drink beer.” My mom looks at Clara for a moment. She hasn’t yet addressed the fact that Clara’s my biological sister. I’m pretty sure it’s Mom’s way of pretending it’s not happening. “If you had blonde hair, the two of you would be spitting images of one another.”

Clara glances at me over my mom’s shoulder in surprise, and I’m sure I match her expression.

I waggle my eyebrows at Clara. “Maybe you should go blonde.”

“I did, about a decade ago. Too much maintenance,” she says with a smile.

“Truth. Maybe I should go brunette.”

My mom’s head whips in my direction and she gives a small shake of her head. That’s the difference between Clara and me. Where I grew up, you don’t leave your house without a full face of makeup, dressed to impress. Anything natural isn’t the norm, hence my blonde hair. I’m starting to think maybe it’s time for a change though.

“We’ll be right back.” Clara leads my mom out of the store, and they veer left through the crowd of people outside.

Then I spot Cade in the crowd. He’s a little taller than the people he’s with, but he’s got a beer in his hand. Again I question what went wrong with us. I thought a friendship was growing between us. I admit I caught feelings, but I wasn’t going to tell him that or pressure him to make it something more.

My thoughts are interrupted when the bell rings again and Ethel, Dori, and Midge walk in.

“Parsley,” Ethel says, coming over while Dori and Midge walk around and check things out.

I don’t bother correcting her on the name thing—I’m sure she’ll only deny it again. I’ve yet to put in security cameras and I really hope that Midge doesn’t help herself.

As though Ethel sees me watching Midge, she pats my hand. “Dori will keep an eye on her.” Her gaze scatters around the store. “It’s beautiful. You did a great job.”

“Thank you.”

“I already bought the summer read and six-pack from next door. I’m giving the beer to Sal down at Northern Lights. They tell him he shouldn’t drink beer, but I sneak it into