“I mean, I’ve already got student debt for the rest of my life, but I appreciate what you were trying for.”

Imogen nodded, like she understood that Jo appreciated her effort at positivity.

Hell, Rinn had appreciated it. They all had.

But there was work to do. Rinn cracked her knuckles one by one. She rolled her neck, because this was about to get really serious, and she wasn’t going to go into serious work with a stiff neck. She wasn’t going to be slowed down by shoulder pain or anything. “Okay, first thing I need to do is tell all of my followers about this. And then I need to somehow update the Brock Harvey signing into a ‘Save Wild Nights Bookstore’ party. And then Daniella and Eli need to set up a station that looks good with all the Jordans on it. I can take video. I mean, I can’t do my normal production value, but, like, I can at least get some good live-style shots and some good stuff for the immediate feed. And Imogen, I need you to help art direct all of my shots.”

“Dude, no.” So much for Imogen’s positive vibes.

“Okay, I will art direct the shots, but I need you to take them. I’ve got some staged photos all around the bookstore that I have been planning for literal years now.” Rinn was not about to give up, even if taking video really did freak Imogen out. “Oh, and we need to eventually recruit people. To box up the books. So let’s put out some feelers for that. Though we shouldn’t do that without a storage space.”

Maya leaned in to whisper in one of those voices that the whole room could hear. “This is terrifying.”

Jo gave her a pat on the arm. “It’s best to let it happen.”

Rinn ignored them both and their little adult bubble. She had shit to get done. “All right, and then after I post the photos, you all have to post the photos. And Daniella, you need to go out and buy one of those Square things we can attach to our phones. Can we do that quickly?”

“Worth a try,” said Daniella, who was already tapping through her phone, hopefully looking up places to buy a credit card machine that attached to their phones.

“Good. All right, everyone know their jobs?” Rinn asked.

“Is she gonna say break?” asked Maya at that low whisper.

“Probably,” said Jo, lifting the ice bag and testing to see if she could touch her hand without pain.

But Rinn wouldn’t let someone tease her away from her favorite rally cry. Rinn didn’t play any team sports. And she wasn’t about to let some grown-up who used to work for the biggest creep in the world tell her how to end a meeting.

“Break,” said Rinn.

EVENING

5:00 p.m.—9:00 p.m.

26