Billionaires Dollar Series

Karli sees me pause and leans over. “Ah. Eleanor’s favorite.”

“Yeah.” It had been a book I hated at first, mostly because I couldn’t get into it. It had been assigned reading in school and nothing kills a good book more than being forced to read it. But Eleanor had helped me through it-and her commentary and insight had opened a door to reading that I’d raced through headlong. She’d set me on the path.

Maybe Karli sees my thoughts on my face, because she sinks into the old armchair. “Stop it,” she says.

“Stop what?”

“What you’re doing. Overthinking. Reminiscing. Beating yourself up, I’m guessing.”

I reluctantly put the book into the moving box. “Maybe a little bit.”

“We didn’t fail her.” Karli’s voice is strong. “We didn’t. I don’t believe that for a second, Skye.”

My answer takes time, because as much as I want to believe her-for both of our sakes-I’m not quite there yet. “No,” I say slowly, “you might be right about that. She wouldn’t be angry at us.”

“Not in the least.”

“But she might be disappointed. Not in us,” I say hurriedly, seeing Karli’s face. “But in the city, in Porter Development. In the fact that bookstores aren’t as valued anymore.”

“But they are,” Karli says fervently. “It’s just not the right time for this one. Everything has its time.”

I reach for another stack of books. All around us, shelves are empty, the store echoing with our words. “How can you be so calm about this?”

Karli’s smile is apologetic. “I know I should be angrier. But I’ve been angry for so long, Skye. For months and months, ever since we got the first notice.”

“I get it. It gets old.”

“It does,” she says with a nod. “I don’t have the energy for it anymore. We have to look to the future.”

“Have you managed to do that, then?”

Her smile is back, but it’s excited this time. “Yes. I’ve started looking at shopfronts for a bakery.”

“Yes. It’s early still, but… I’ve always wanted to try.”

My smile is entirely genuine. For as long as I’ve known her, Karli has been a baker, her favorite section of the bookstore the recipe one. “That’s amazing!”

“John is excited, too. Says he can help with website design, not to mention taste-testing,” she says, laughing.

“Karli, that’s perfect. You could cater. You’re already well-known in this area-people love you!” My mind is racing ahead, and Karli laughs again, the glint in my eyes familiar to her.

“You’re already thinking about what opening gift to get me, aren’t you? We’re not there yet.”

“But you will be. I’m so happy for you, Karli.”

She grins. “Thanks. I was afraid to mention it to you, you know.”

“You were?”

“Well, maybe you’d think I was moving on too fast. Accepting the bookstore’s fate.” She looks around, at the beautiful old wood, at the place that has been a second home for the both of us. “Between the Pages was my grandmother’s life. But it can’t be mine, not any longer.”

I reach over and put my hand on hers. “Oh God, Karli, I’d never think that. You’re doing the right thing.”

Her smile is bright. “Thanks. And so are you, by the way, focusing on your writing. Are you still going to apply to Brooks & King?”

“Yes. But I don’t have a background in editing or in publishing, and I’m competing with people who do. At the same time-” I’m broken off by my phone’s familiar tune. “Sorry.”

Karli smiles and gets up to continue packing. Fishing my phone out of my bag, I nearly groan when I see the name on my screen. Isla.

“Hi,” I say. “What’s up?”

There’s an annoyed sigh on the other end. “You won’t believe what a day I’m having.”

“I overslept. Timmy was late to school, and then we had an accident on the way home.”

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, yes, it wasn’t a car accident. I didn’t have enough gas in the tank.”

“It stalled? Oh my God, Isla…”

“I know, it was awful. Well, Dave helped me, all is good now. But, and here’s the thing, he has a car show tonight.”

Ah, I think. Here it comes. “Is it out of town?”

“Yes. I’d love to go, but I know it’s too late for Timmy. He has to be in bed by nine. But then I thought, Skye!”

This has to stop. “You know I love spending time with Timmy, but-”Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

“Perfect!”

“-I have plans tonight. I can’t handle this on such short notice, not continually, Isla.”

She huffs, and the sound is indignant. “You have plans?”

“Yeah. Even if I didn’t, I’d appreciate a bit more advance notice. It’s already four in the afternoon.”

Isla’s voice is glacial when she speaks again. “Fine. That’s fine. I’ll just have to figure something out.”

“Yes, you will,” I say, not unkindly. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

She hangs up. I stare at my phone for a few more moments, a smile slowly spreading across my face. Wow. That was… exhilarating.

Karli grins at me. “Well done,” she says.

“With what?”

“With saying no.” She unfolds another moving box with sure, practiced hands. “It’s hard with family, I know. But you’re getting better.”