Finds You Well

Three: The Best Friend

Aspen

"There she is! Hello bestie!"

I squeal running straight into the arms of my best friend and partner-in-crime Sindri Brok. He picks me up twirling me around in his arms until I am begging him to stop. My world spins like a top, my hand shooting out, and resting on the bricks of my bookstore. I can't fight the grin off my face, my bookstore. I signed the contract with Mr. Mammon exactly one week ago.

The frosty Xavier Tale I learn is to be my solo employee. If business picks up, I can easily hire on more hands. My parents are overjoyed at the news. They take me out to the pizza place to celebrate, congratulating me on my new endeavor. I can see it in their eyes, the silent hope that I won't give up on my dream. I don't want to, believe me, but right now it isn't a possibility. The odds are too stacked against me.

"I've missed you, Sin." I smile at him. "Thank you, for coming down on such short notice."

"You know I would do anything for you, my Penny Dreadful." Sindri winks at me, sashaying his way inside the bookstore

Xavier is already hard at work dusting the bookshelves, placing books in the crates at his feet. I asked him to do this after I called in Sindri to helped with the redecorating. My employee is not too happy that I made this call without consulting him. I put my hands on my hips asking him the question of who owned the bookstore. He puffed up like a blowfish and stormed off. I could hear his footsteps going up the stairs to the apartment. Mr. Mammon explained that I could utilize it should I need to, but I let Xavier have it. I was content with the commute.

"This place is absolutely gorgeous!" Sindri gushes. "To modernize this space would be an injustice."

"What do you suggest, Mr. Brok?" Xavier's voice makes me jump.

There are things about my coworker that I've noticed, and chosen to keep to myself. This is one of them, he moves swiftly and silently, like a ninja preparing to strike. He keeps his distance from me and avoids touching me. My mind provides me with the logical explanation, I'm his boss, and he is my employee. We're keeping things strictly professional and yet—

There was no denying the spark that flew underneath my skin when he pinned me up against the wall. He looked like an avenging angel, or maybe like a demon about to enact its vengeful wrath. His eyes were the color of freshly dug up coals, his brown hair the color of honeysuckle. When he spoke, it was like he was from an entirely different century. One that housed some of the most notorious writers of our time. I can think of one off the top of my head, his short-stories the driving force behind the store's namesake.

"Mr. Brok is my father, handsome, you can call me Sindri," my best friend winks at my coworker. I snort with laughter at the shocked expression that appears on Xavier's face. Sindri is a shameless flirt and he doesn't care. He lives his life in the fast lane and doesn't regret a single thing.

"Very well, Sindri do tell me your plans for my store." Xavier crosses his arms over his chest.

"Oh hunny, pump them breaks of yours." Sindri leans against the counter. "This is my bestie's store; your sexy ass is just working in it. My plan is simple. We restore what's here. We add in some walls to conceal the basement from the public view and create little reading nooks for customers to sample the product."

Sindri pulls out a tablet from his messenger bag turning it around for Xavier to see. I asked Sindri to design these changes because of the warning I'd received in the letter. I don't want anyone to accidentally fall down the steps and barrel through the basement door. I noticed the occasional whisper as I passed the rope during my multiple phone calls persuading my best friend to make the painstakingly long drive from Wisconsin to Virginia. He countered with he had been planning on visiting his fam back in Pennsylvania and would make the pitstop on my behalf.