Chapter One
Barbie
I run my finger across the spines of the books as I walk down the aisles of my little bookstore, Twice Read Tales. I love this place. It’s the first thing I’ve ever been able to call my own, thanks to a grandmother I never knew. She helped me break from the bnds of my old life and now I’m able to start over. I have a chance to make my own story and for the past two months I’ve been open, the excitement still bubbles in my chest.
Too bad everyone else around here isn't feeling the same enthusiasm I am. I’m trying not to worry, but I think I might have to shake something up around here if I want to keep this place going.
When I hear the bell over the front door I rush toward the entrance of my store, but I stop running when I hear Kayla’s voice.
“I’ve got the perfect plan!” I turn at the end of the aisles to see her carrying a coffee machine. Her blond hair is streaked with pink today, which she must have done last night. I never know what color it will be each time I see her, but I like the constant surprise.
“Free coffee will most definitely bring some booties up in here.” She shakes the fancy-looking machine in her hands like I’m not seeing it.
“Where did you get that?” I don’t even know how to use that thing and it looks expensive.
“Don’t worry about that.” When I raise my eyebrow, she nods toward the front checkout area. “Clear a spot.”
“Maybe you should take it back.” The longer I stare at the thing, the more expensive it looks. That thing is way out of my budget and if she took it from someone they’re going to notice.
“My arms are going to give!”
I shove over the paper on my desk and knock a few of my notepads to the floor. When I bend down to pick them up, my glasses fall off my face. Before I can stop her, Kayla’s black combat boot crunches down on them and I hear something break as she roughly deposits the coffee maker onto the desk.
I don’t know if my glasses or the coffee maker are going to make it.
“What did I step on?” She lifts her foot off my glasses and I pick them up, holding the pieces of what’s left in each hand. “I can fix it.” She takes them from me and I shake my head.
“I have another pair upstairs.”
“It’s fine. I’ve totally got it.” She moves behind my desk, where she starts opening all the drawers.
I’d run upstairs to my place and grab my backup pair but I’m scared to leave Kayla alone in the store. I’d come back to a pile of rubble with all the bookcases dumped over.
“So listen, this machine is really easy. You just put these pod things in and bam. Coffee.”
“I can’t even get people in here to tell them about the coffee,” I point out.
“I’ve got a plan for that too.” She drops her backpack on the floor as she pulls tape out from my desk.
“You’re not taping those.” I try and grab them from her but she’s faster than me. “I already look like a dork. I do not need tape on my glasses to add to the effect.”
“You’re not a dork. You’re wholesome.”
“Is that a step up from homely?”
“No, you’re adorable.” She starts wrapping my glasses in tape and piecing them back together.
I don’t want to have the same argument with her about how adorable isn't going to get me a man. Even covered in paint she always looks good without trying.
“Good as new.” She turns my glasses over to look at them. “I think it gives them style.” She smiles brightly as she passes them over to me.
“Thanks.” I put them back on, knowing I’ll get my others later and these can hold me over for now.
Romeo jumps up on the counter to inspect what’s going on. I don’t know who the cat belonged to before, but apparently he came with the building.
“I’m going to repaint the front window. The grand opening is over, so it needs something new.” She opens her backpack to show me she’s brought her supplies.
“Did you steal this from your dad’s house?” I go back to the coffee machine, thinking it may not be the worst idea.
“He won’t notice.” She shrugs. Kayla might be a walking catastrophe, but she’s beautiful in a hipster-artsy way.
“What if free 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.