Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 84072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Orca Cove Books was next door, so it was an easy call to make as I slowly climbed the three blue stairs and opened the door. The little bell went off as I stepped inside, and the smell of books was like coming home, causing me to inhale a few times before relaxing and taking a real look around.
Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling with a few wood shelves in between, new books organized on the very top with cute pens and stationery for sale next to them.
The main desk was next to a reading nook and fireplace; it had a little bell and stickers to purchase, plus free homemade cookies.
It was warm and inviting and everything a bookstore should be.
“Aghhhhh!” Sarah let out a shriek dropping the stack of books she’d been carrying as she rounded the corner and nearly ran into me. She took a moment and caught her breath. “I’m so sorry I didn’t hear the bell.”
“I’m the sorry one!” I bent down and started picking up old copies of Twilight and Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer, smiling. “I loved these.”
“Ugh, and it takes forever in small towns. I had to wait a week for Midnight Sun.” Her blond hair was pulled back into two tight braids, her nose scrunched up, bringing attention to the smatter of freckles on her nose. With her light blue eyes, she almost looked Nordic. “Thanks for helping with these.”
“No problem.” I set them on the counter by a sign that read “New Arrivals” and then reached for my coffee again. “I was just stopping by to see when you needed me to work.”
“Oh, duh!” She rolled her eyes. “Sorry, I probably should have texted you yesterday when I went over the schedule, but my mom got pissed about a boy I’ve been crushing on… something about him being from a bad family, which is ridiculous since he doesn’t even know who his parents are and really it’s not his fault he’s an orphan and—” She stopped and covered her mouth. “Sorry, I know I talk way too much. You don’t need to know about my family drama. Plus, my mom is a total witch.”
My heart clenched. “I know it’s hard but take it easy on her; she’s probably just being protective. One day you’ll appreciate that.”
She took a deep breath. “I know you’re probably right, but I’m still annoyed with her.”
“As is your right as a teenager.” I winked.
“Thank you.” She laughed and then reached behind the cash register pulling out a sheet of pink paper. “Okay, if you have a few hours now, I can show you the ropes, not that it’s rocket science, and then you can start tomorrow? We pay you for your training, and everything’s pretty easy, but some of the usuals tend to pop in just to chat, so I’ll need to give you a quick rundown since they don’t like strangers. There’s a way to each and every one of their hearts. It just takes the right subject.”
“I think I can handle it.” I noticed a small trash can and tossed my empty cup in. “Let’s get started then.”
“Sure thing!” She moved behind the cash register. “Let’s start with this old beast, and then we can move on to more fun things like where the vampire section is and why it’s my favorite in the store.”
“Ah, vampires, huh?” I smiled. “You like the idea of getting your blood sucked?”
“Um, no, I like the idea of Anne Rice’s Interview with a Vampire and Brad Pitt.”
“Huh, I had you pegged for more of a Zac Efron sort of girl.”
Her eyes widened. “I would die if he ever did a vampire movie. You would literally have to bury my body under the bookstore and put on my tombstone, ‘died from too much hotness.’ Oh, and ‘PS bitten by Zac Efron.’”
“Fucking Zac Efron,” a male voice sounded as the bell went off and the door opened.
Sarah’s eyes widened. “How much did you hear, Mal?”
“Enough to know I hate Zac Efron and Brad Pitt right now.” A good-looking guy about Sarah’s age ran his hands through his messy dark hair and winked.
Sarah’s cheeks went completely red.
“Hi.” I smiled. “I’ll just introduce myself while she gets over your hair flip.”
He burst out laughing. “It’s a gift, flustering my Sarah.” He held out his hand. “Malcom, close friends call me Mal, and when I say close, I mean only Sarah since she’s the lone person who puts up with me.”
“He knows he’s hot. It’s a problem.” Sarah finally snapped out of it.
“I own a mirror—” He shook my hand and then panned back to Sarah. “Speaking of, what’s with the braids? You know that just makes me want to pull them, right?”
Her blush was back.
“Damn, you’re dangerous to hormonal teens.” Something was vaguely familiar about him, but I couldn’t really figure out why.