I’m standing beneath the air-conditioning vent but my cheeks still burn. I’m sure that, though they’re nowhere near me, the Dirty Birds can read my thoughts.

On that note . . .

As much as I enjoy the view and—begrudgingly—how passionate Jasper is when he speaks, it’s time for me to move on.

“I’m going to do a little work in the back, but come grab me if you need help at the register. Are you good out here on your own for a bit?” I ask Dani before I head back into Gran’s—I mean, my office.

“Oh, um, yeah! I got it, no problem!” Dani answers a little too brightly, even by peppy Dani standards. She looks away from Jasper and her face turns a deep shade of red. You don’t need to be a mind reader to know what she’s thinking. Solidarity, sister.

“You’re the best.” I leave her with her lusty thoughts and navigate the familiar path between overstuffed bookshelves, dragging my feet across the worn-down carpet, which should’ve been replaced years ago.

I pause outside the door. I’m still not used to the obliterating silence that meets me when I walk into the small room filled with furniture much too large for the space. It’s been months, but sometimes I’ll close my eyes and shout, “What’s cookin’, good-lookin’?” when I enter the office, hoping Gran’s laughter will surround me and wake me up from this freaking nightmare.

I twist the cold doorknob, hating the way the brass burns. The weight of the store, anticipating my dad making another move, and the bills piling up on the oak desk are the only things that may be able to distract me from Jasper Williams, Author . . . whose voice I can still faintly hear.

Personally, I’ve embarrassed myself in front of Jasper two times now. Professionally, however, this day has been fantastic.

The Book Nook had in-store events when Gran was still around. Since she passed we haven’t had anything other than story time. I’ve been telling myself I’m too busy getting used to day-to-day practices and setting up our children’s section to really invest in it. But if I’m honest, I’ve been afraid. When Alice Young put on an event, she found the authors, reached out, and set up entire itineraries. She was able to do this because not only was she an avid reader, but she was an avid listener. She always had one finger on the pulse of her customers, intent on creating a community inside the Book Nook, where there was something for every reader.