Bookstore princess

Chapter 1

Nadia

"Is that the only light you need to be changed?" Jacob, one of my best friends asks. I looked at him with his fairly tall and muscular figure. His green eyes alight with mischief, and I know he has another smartass remark to make. "Or do you need more of my brawn?" he asks with a smirk. I reached up and messed up his reddish-brown hair and rolled my eyes.
"As if you needed more padding to that ego of yours. No Jacob, I'm good. Please check on Jenny before you go back downstairs" I directed him. He chuckles and walks past me, making his way to my other best friend Jenny who was working the cafe called "Potions", that resides in a small nook of the bookstore the three of us owned together. The name of the bookstore is "Book Flowers and Potions" and we are known in our little town for our variety of selection, and our atmosphere. We just started out three months ago, and we are starting to see a profit. The three of us put our life savings into this endeavor, wanting to make better lives for ourselves. Personally, this is my dream come true. Jenny is happy when she gets as much coffee as she wants. Jacob is Jacob. He has his masters in literature, but also put everything on a backburner for a while, working odd jobs until this came up. When he puts his mind to something, he really excels. That's why I feel so blessed to have them both on board.
I look around the bookstore to see patrons coming and going, looking excited about their new finds and it brings me so much joy I wish I would have thought of starting this sooner. I used to be so scared of taking chances, especially when it comes to something so big. What I really wanted to do was write, but I can never seem to get the words down on paper.
I brushed my long brown hair out of my face and noticed a little girl with her parents coming up with a few books in her hands. She looks so shy, it's adorable.
"Hello there" I greeted her quickly with a wave, brushing back my long brown wavy hair out of my face.
"Books!" the little girl with blond hair in pigtails, her blue eyes looked up into mine and I couldn't help but giggle.
"You certainly have quite a few!" I exclaimed, taking the small stack from her. "Is this all coming home with you?" I asked, eyeing the parents.
"Yes, and this one too" the mother handed me one of our newest spicy romance novels and I couldn't help but grin.
"Oh, you'll love this one. I read it last week when it came in stock" I told her and started ringing them all in. I gave them the total and the father quickly tapped his card at the payment terminal and I grabbed a carnation flower from the bouquet beside me and handed it down to the little girl before giving her parents their bag. They said their thanks and made their way to Potions where Jenny and Jacob were dealing with a lineup of their own. My blue eyes ticked to the front window where the high-end bar stood across the street from our brownstone building. A limo pulled up and two tall men in suits got out and went across the red painted pavement and into the double pewter doors. The bar is sleek looking in comparison to our old fashioned building. It has more windows and there's always a crowd. For us, we are not as busy during the day, or right before closing time.

I turned around and focused my attention on more important things. Like putting the abandoned books away on the shelves again since Jacob is still upstairs with us. I can't wait to go home tonight. I live right upstairs on the two upper floors and my calico long haired cat Melody is waiting for me there. I've thought about letting her come downstairs and being in the bookstore, but I also don't want to chase anyone away who might have an allergy. We can use all the business we can get if I'm going to be honest with myself.
I don't make it far before there's more people coming up to the cash, and I find myself back at the register helping people with their purchases. I make sure each person gets a flower to go with their book purchases. It's something we add as a signature. We have this great deal with a local florist who we buy from almost every day, and we keep a little extra out back in case we run out. A lot of people are generally surprised by the extra gift, but what better way to say thank you, than with a flower?
The day is long, but Jenny tends to keep me caffeinated which I appreciate. She sees when my reusable cherry blossom cup is almost empty and she refills me without ever asking. Sometimes I think she has eyes in the back of her head. By the time it's almost closing time I find myself barely able to stand any longer. Jacob has already headed home for the day, and Jenny closed up an hour ago. Since I just live upstairs, it makes sense that I'm the one to close. I really wish we could afford to hire staff. The sixteen hour days are starting to get to me after three months straight. All the abandoned books are already put away, and now I'm just waiting for nine o'clock to close up for the day. I pull at my knee length pink dress that helps hide my curves and brush back my hair behind my shoulder again. I can't wait to take a nice long bath tonight with one of the new books that came in with our stock today. I've been waiting patiently for it to arrive. It's a werewolf romance novel with a promise of lots of spice. I pull the book out from under the counter and can't help but open it up to the first page since I can't count the till yet.
I'm just starting to get into the first chapter when the telltale bell chime goes off that we have a customer. Two men in black three-piece charcoal suits enter, and I give them both my best smile. Both are tall which is the least eye-catching thing about them. One is brunette and one is blonde, and they both have these startling blue eyes that suits them. The blonde nods to me and heads into the store, while the brunette stops and he stares at me for a moment and I stare right back. I can see he has tattoos peeking out on his left hand and on the side of his neck. He's devastatingly handsome, and I feel my body react to him automatically. He licks his top lip and gives this flirty smile that makes me blush before he walks more into the store. He reaches up and scratches at his five o'clock shadow as he walks by and my eyes follow him, while I try to make it look like I'm reading my book again. They both head into the history section, and I allow myself a moment to look at the brunette's ass. He's well built, and he's been well blessed. I shimmy my legs together, trying to bring feeling back into them since I haven't left my post since Jacob and Jenny left. I'm convinced my hormones are getting the best of me, and try to focus on my book again.
"Nadia" I hear a gravelly voice say my name and I have a shiver go down my spine. I look up to see the brunette standing in front of me. I have no idea how he got so close without me hearing him moving. My lips part unintentionally as I smell an expensive cologne that smells divine.
"Yes?" I ask weakly. "How can I help you?" I give a bright smile.
"My name is James" he holds out his hand, and I stare at it for a moment too long before I reach out and go to shake it. He flips my hand and kisses my knuckles and I feel my upper body feels like it's going up in flames, with sparks coming from where our skin is touching.
"How do you know my name?" is the only thing I can muster myself to ask.
"Your nametag, baby doll" he gives his flirty smile again, and I want to die from embarrassment. "I was wondering if you have anything else for the history section? I read most of the books that are there" he gives a half smile, still holding my hand.
"We will tomorrow, we are putting the new stock out in the morning" I say, a quiver in my voice.
"I'll grab this one" the blond comes over, handing me a book.
"Looks like I have a reason to come back tomorrow" James purrs, looking at me with fire in his eyes. I pull my hand from James' grasp and start to put through the other man's order. "This big lug is my little brother Steve," James introduces.
"Hello Steve" I say automatically with a smile.
"Don't mind him, he doesn't know how to act around women he finds attractive" Steve jokes and James glares at him.
"Does this happen often?" I ask, honestly curious.
"First time for me, baby doll" James says, his flirty smile back on his lips. Steve rolls his eyes at his brother and I can't help but giggle. He seems to light up at the sound and leans in again. I flick my eyes to Steve again and give him his total and he flashes his credit card so I provide him the payment terminal. I hand Steve his book in one of our store bags, and his flower and he smirks at it.
"Thank you" he says, and I can tell he means it.
"I'll get this," James says, pointing at the book I had been reading and I can't help but blush again.
"It's in tomorrow's stock" I look into his eyes and he shrugs.
"I'm curious, can't I read it?" he asks with a pout.
"I'll go grab you a new one" I finally give in but his hand reaches for mine again before I can move.
"Just the one you were reading is fine," he says smoothly.
"Okay, sure" I nod, ringing it up and looking quickly to make sure I can keep track of the page I was on. I'll have to grab another copy from the back before I go up to my apartment. I ring it up and give him the total and he flashes his credit card at the terminal. I provide him with his bag and the last flower of the day which is a pink rose.
"Any chance of getting your last name or number?" he asks with a glint in his eye. I can't help but laugh and shake my head.
"Maybe next time James" I shake my head, thinking he can't be serious.
"What time are you done work? I'd love to buy you a drink" he pushes.
"I'm closing the store now; I'll be at least another hour and then I'm going to bed. But thank you" I flush at his forward attitude.
"I'll be back tomorrow" he promises, and gives a wink before walking out of the store with his brother. I'm still stunned at his forward attitude, but then again maybe he's like that with all the ladies. I go around the counter and head to the front door and lock it before grabbing Jenny's till and my own and bringing them into the back. I turn off the store front lights and sit down for a long hour of counting and doing paperwork. At least tomorrow it's Jacob's turn to go over this. I rebalanced the tills, and put everything into the safe before grabbing a copy of the same book I was reading from the stack and heading up the stairs.