Another reason working together makes sense—I’m terrible at the business stuff. Seeing how much work Josie puts into that aspect of her job, I realize how over my head I would be managing the new combined bookstore without her.

When I get back to my side of the store, Cinderella is on the leather couch, reading, Persephone curled up on her lap.

“Sit,” she commands, closing her book.

A cursory glance around the store is enough to tell me the few customers we have don’t need any immediate attention, so I join Cinderella, taking a seat in the purple chair beside her.

“What’s going on between you and that stuck-up girl next door?” she asks, eyes blazing.

“Nothing.”

Cinderella arches an eyebrow.

“We’re just friends,” I say. “Friends who went out to dinner last night.”

Cinderella grimaces. “You need to be careful—she might be trying to use her womanly charms to loosen you up and steal your secrets.”

“I don’t have any secrets to steal. Unless you count the mantra of ‘What would Elaine do?’ that runs on a loop in my head.”

“Elaine was one hell of a woman, but you need to give yourself some credit here, boss.”

So she does know I’m her boss…

“I might have decent gut instincts, but Josie has real knowledge. You should see her system—”

Cinderella whistles, shaking her head. “A month ago, that woman was Satan incarnate, and now you’re complimenting her? You’ve got it bad.”

“It doesn’t matter how I feel,” I say. “She wants to keep things professional.”

Cinderella rolls her eyes. “Yeah, right, and I’m a natural redhead. You should know that sometimes people lie about their feelings to protect themselves. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”

“How does she look at me?” I ask, intrigued.

“Like she wants to peg you.”

“Jesus Christ,” I say, flushing.

Cinderella stops petting Persephone and presses her lips together. “Now listen—I don’t trust that girl, and I have no clue what you see in her. But there’s a lot on the line here, so bang her if you have to, then move on.”

I gasp in mock shock. “Are you telling me to sleep with the enemy?”

“Just once, to get it out of your system.”

“Yeah, because that always works so well in the books.”

—

Later that evening, Josie and I are sitting across from each other in a booth at the Burren, an Irish pub down the street. It’s a cozy, welcoming spot to grab a beer and a bite to eat, and tonight there’s even a pickup band playing Irish folk songs.