AllFreeNovel
Share Us
That’s not a ‘no’. Keep pressing!
“It’s not full-time and you’ll have an assistant. Her support will flex with your schedule.”
“I don’t understand,” Penny said.
She’s giving you an opening. Take it!
“My plan is that you’ll be the idea person and Tanya will be execution.” She gasped, but he continued. “I want to take everything you’ve done at Get Lost and package it for other indie bookstores. I also want you to select the books and create questions for book clubs. Funnel everything you’re currently doing to Tanya, and we’ll roll it out to others.”
“All VV Pub books, or would you consider others?” she asked.
“All VV Pub, and if you’re interested and have the time, I wouldn’t mind your opinion on reader likability for possible acquisitions. There’s often a lively debate on what will sell, and your insights would be a useful tiebreaker.”
“Are you hiring me or my gifts?” She sounded cold.
“You, in whatever capacity you’re comfortable with.”
“How many hours do you anticipate?”
“As many as you’ll give us. Penny, what you’ve created at Get Lost is special, and I believe with support other booksellers can replicate it. This is a win-win for everyone.”
“Is it a set monthly rate?”
“You’d bill us hourly.” Bash hoped that was right or else Pat in accounting would have his head.
“How much?”
Bash named a number, knowing his dad would have his head for it, but it seemed reasonable given the long-term upside potential. And if his dad got his undies in a bind over it, Bash would cover the difference.
“Can I think about it?”
“Sure, but I’d appreciate an answer before you leave for vacation next week.”
“I can do that.”
“If you have questions, call me and we’ll work through them.”
“There is one. The Tanya you mentioned, is her last name, Harris?”
“It is.” But he hadn’t known that before he hired the detective. She’d found several Tanyas working in mid-sized publishing houses, but luckily, only one of them claimed to be friends with Penny Buchanan.
“She texted me she had a new job, but we haven’t had a chance to talk. We’ve both been busy.”
“Well, she hasn’t been busy on account of us. Her schedule has been light since I dropped the ball.”
“Oh?”
“I should have called you weeks ago. The way I handled—”
“I’ll think about the offer and get back to you. Goodnight, Bash.”
“Call disconnected,” the system announced.
Her, too, Bash thought uneasily. He couldn’t get a read on her, and he wished she’d used video calling instead. Seeing her face would have given him all the answers. If she was interested in his offer. If she was happy he’d hired Tanya away—rescued was more accurate, based on some stories he’d heard—from the other firm. If she hated him. Although he couldn’t see Penny hating anyone. It wasn’t in her. Detest and loathe, however, were distinct possibilities. At least where he was concerned.
What offer? George asked, batting at a miniature carnation.
You’re not a florist, leave it alone.
