Page 49

Chapter Eighteen

Maya

Reid drops me off at the bookstore at eight thirty on Saturday. Jayne put signs up all over Main Street, took out a couple of ads in local papers, and she had a good amount of people sign up for her newsletter, so she bombarded them with information about the grand opening.

Personally, I think it’s going to be great.

There are five actors from Dusty Peaks making appearances today—and Jayne came up with a brilliant idea: buy a book, take a picture with your favorite star from the show.

In fact, I think her plan worked a little too well because the store doesn’t open until nine but there’s already a long line outside waiting to get in. I push past them and Jayne unlocks the door for me.

“Holy shit, do you see the line?” she whispers, eyes wide.

“I do. It’s awesome, right?”

“Yes, but the store is small. I didn’t think they’d all come at once.” She grimaces. “I don’t want to get in trouble with the fire marshal.”

“I can do crowd control,” Chris says. Lacy’s already here, and someone I don’t know is clearing a small area in the back so she can take pictures with everyone. She’s scheduled from nine to ten thirty. Then Serena will be on duty from ten thirty to noon. Next is Allora, from noon to one thirty. Perry is from one thirty to three, and the last celebrity of the day is Gina James, one of stars from the original series who isn’t in the reboot but is still very popular. She also lives locally, so she’ll be here from three to four-thirty. It’s going to be a long, busy day, but I love events like this.

A bunch of guys from the team are going to show up randomly during the day as well, and Jayne said she might do the same thing, where customers have to buy a book in order to take photos with the players. It’s a bit of a gimmick but it’s smart marketing. Especially since she has access to both players from the Thunder and some of the Dusty Peaks cast.

“What can I do?” I ask as Chris heads outside.

“I don’t know,” Jayne admits. “My friend Kelly is going to run the register. Grim is going to make sure no one gets crazy with the actors. Bodi will be in charge of bringing out more books if we run out of popular titles. And I’m going to be roaming around helping people find books, upselling, whatever needs to be done.”

“I can do that too,” I say. “I can also jump in wherever you need me. In the meantime, I have a gift for you.”

“You didn’t have to get me anything!”

“I wanted to.” I hand her the gift bag I’m holding.

She opens it and her eyes widen. “Oh my gosh, Maya—this is amazing! Thank you!” She gives me a warm hug and then holds the dress I made up against her. “I’m going to put it on right now.”

“You should.”

I watch as she practically runs into the back.

The dress I made her was created from silk fabric I ordered online—covered in famous books. Pride & Prejudice. Wuthering Heights. Romeo and Juliet. Almost all the classics. Then I carefully sewed on rhinestones to make it pop, along with a built-in mini hoop skirt so it moves with her and gives her an almost ethereal appearance. I figured she should wear something special on opening day.

Before anyone can come in, Jayne puts a pink satin ribbon across the doorway and a local newspaper is here to photograph her cutting it for the official opening.

She grabs the large pair of scissors she got specifically for the occasion and I almost tear up as she cuts the ribbon and lifts her hands in the air.

“Peachy Keene Romance Bookstore is officially open!” The crowd lets out a cheer as Bodi leans over and soundly kisses her.

After that, it’s a madhouse.

Shelves are cleared faster than Bodi can unbox more books, and from what I can see, people are getting back in line so they can buy something else and meet Serena when it’s her turn.

Meanwhile, I’ve fallen into the role of Jayne’s assistant because everyone has questions, everyone wants special editions, and everyone is loud and excited.

“Hey.” Cash’s warm voice comes from behind me, and I turn with a smile.

“Hi.”

He bends over and presses a soft kiss to my cheek. “It’s mayhem in here.”

I nod. “But in a good way.”