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Another stark reality is, even though Briar is paying me well, and even though I have free childcare, I’m still struggling to keep my head above water. My student loans are looming, the amount absolutely staggering when considering the fact that I’m now working at a bookstore for an hourly wage, and the cost of raising a child is far more than I think anyone understands when they’re preparing to have a baby. Just thinking about my financials—something I’ve always been horrible at managing—makes my throat tight and my palms sweaty.
But Reid’s right. There has to besomethingI can do that pushes me back into a creative space that doesn’t rob me of all my time and money.
I just have to figure out…what.
“I can’t believe we’re opening tomorrow morning.”
I nod, exhausted and completely spent, knowing the anxiousness I feel about it probably pales in comparison to Briar’s. She’s been dreaming of opening a bookstore—something this town has always lacked—since she was a teenager, volunteering at the library.
We’re lying on the floor in the middle of the store, staring at the leaves on the ceiling, knowing we still have a few things to get done but in desperate need of a break.
“And Ireallycan’t believe there aren’t any more books to shelve. You must have come in forhourson Sunday to get that done.”
Briar rolls to the side and wraps her arm around me, the moment uncharacteristic of my sister, who tends to keep her emotions close to the vest.
“Thank you. For all your hard work,” she says, her voice soft. “I hope you know how much it means to me.”
I lift my hands and rest them over Briar’s, patting them gently.
“As much as I’d like to take the credit, I had some help. It wasn’tallme.” I turn my head so I’m looking at her. “But it did takeforever, even with two people.”
Briar smiles. “Really? Who helped you? I need to get them a bottle of wine or something.”
“Reid Cohen.”
When my sister is quiet for a long moment, I look her way, finding her watching me with a curious expression. But when she opens her mouth, nothing comes out.
“What?” I say, chuckling lightly. “Do you not want him…touching your books or something?”
“No, it’s nothing like that,” she says, an embarrassed smile on her face. “Are you guys like…dating?”
“Definitely not.”
My response comes out firm, and maybe a little more intense than I mean it to, and Briar’s smile dims. “Oh, okay. Just curious.”
I sit up, tugging the hair band off my wrist and pulling my hair up into a messy mop at the top of my head, trying not to think too hard about Briar’s question.
“Well, if youdiddecide to date him, you should know…”
I glance at Briar as she sits up next to me, wondering what kind of bomb she’s about to drop on my lap. What did he do? Something horrible? Is he an asshole in disguise? It would make sense considering the shitty men I’ve dealt with in the past.
“…he’s actually one of thesweetestguys I’ve ever known.”
My brow furrows, surprise rippling through me.
“Maybe a bit old for you, but”—Briar shrugs—“Bellamy and Rusty have a similar age difference and they’re doing just fine. And my guess is you need a man with more life experience and maturity.”
“I didn’t realize you and Reid were friends.”
Briar shakes her head. “Reid was a year ahead of me in school. He was on the swim team, so he was friendlier with Boyd’s crowd, you know? The athletic types. But teenage boys can be dicks, so it’s hard not to notice the nice ones.”
I snort. “It doesn’t really change as you get older.”
My sister rolls her eyes and pushes up so she’s standing then holds her hand out toward me. “You are so right. Unfortunately.”
Briar gives me a tug and I pop up then glance around at the trash scattered on the floor that we still need to pick up—empty tape dispensers, cardboard boxes, tons of plastic and cellophane—knowing we probably have another hour of work before we get to call it a night. Or at least whenIget to call it a night. Not sure about Briar, though.
“We haven’t really talked about guys at all,” Briar says, her tone cautious as we begin breaking down the cardboard boxes. “Or even that much about Junie’s dad.”
