Bookstore princess

Chapter 2

Nadia

I don't think I've been so nervous to go to work since we first opened the shop. I'm spending way too much time on makeup, mainly to cover the bags under my eyes from staying up most of the night reading. The book was highly worth it. I might have also been thinking about James and his promise as well. I realize he's just another handsome guy in a suit, but there's something about him that calls to me. I'm putting my hair back in a bun when I start daydreaming of all the things that could entail a date to him within the bookstore. Jenny and Jacob likely won't allow me to go far, they are both protective to a fault. Not to mention my past choices in men are very questionable. For my own sanity, I"m not going into it this morning.
"Good morning, buddy" I hear Jenny walk into my apartment on the lower floor. "Jacobs restocking the store and I've got your first coffee of the day" she calls.
"Be right down!" I called back. I take one last look in the mirror and decide this is as good as it's going to get. I grab my white and red floral dress that goes to my knees and pull it over my head, before slipping on a pair of birkenstock sandals. Once I look presentable I grab Melody and make my way down the stairs where Jenny is waiting, holding my favorite coffee cup and one of her own in her hand.
"So, what happened after we left last night?" she asks as soon as I take the coffee from her and sit down at the old oak kitchen table that I bought second hand.
"We had a few customers," I shrug as though it's no big deal. I know what she's looking for more information on, but I'm going to make her work for it.
"Oh yeah? Who's James, and why is he coming at noon for a date?" she asks as she sits across from me at the kitchen table.
"He's presumptive," I blushed remembering the sparks I felt when he touched me. "I don't know Jenny, he seems really sweet though. He asked me for a drink, but I still had to count the tills and close up. I guess he's not the kind of guy that takes no for an answer" I admitted, still thinking about his dreamy blue eyes.
"You're blushing," she pointed out.
"If it was a girl, you would too" I giggle and she grins at me, knowing I'm right. Jenny came out of the closet when she was a teenager, and has struggled a little bit with the way people react to her being gay. To me, she's always been just Jenny. There's nothing she can say or do that would make me think less of her. She's a sweetheart through and through and would give the shirt off her back to someone if they asked for it.
"Jacob is almost done getting the new stock out, I just came up to check on you and give you your morning coffee" Jenny stands up and gives a satisfied smile. "I also had to get details for him since he may or may not be worried" she adds quickly.
"There's no reason to worry. I'm a big girl, I can handle myself" I promise, not only to her, but to myself as well. I don't want to admit that I'm anxious about him showing up, but at the same time, I'm excited too.
"Keep the date at potions, so I can keep an eye out. Just order a hot vanilla latte and I'll get you out of the date" she warns me.
"Hot vanilla latte? It's too hot for that" I frown.
"Exactly" she got up and left the way she came. I take a moment to drink my coffee and make a quick breakfast of cereal, greek yogurt and some fresh strawberries cut up into it. I grab the yogurt lid and put a scoop of the vanilla yogurt onto the lid for Melody who purrs loudly at my offering. She quickly starts licking up the yogurt and I dig into my breakfast, humming happily at the chunks of strawberries.

When I get downstairs, the entire bookstore is ready for the day. The floors were cleaned already by the cleaning company we hired to come in, in the mornings. All of the new stock is out and ready to go. Jenny is just flipping the sign and we already have a lineup outside, more than likely for their morning coffee than a new book. Jenny's coffee is addictive and a magic of its own. I make my way over to the cash register and Jacob is there putting out the flowers for the start of the day.
"Are you good?" Jacob asked conversationally.
"Everything seems ready" I nod and he scratches at his beard for a moment.
"I'll come up around noon and take over doing sales. We should talk on Sunday with the three of us about maybe hiring some people finally. We are making enough of a profit that we can afford one or two part timers. I talked to Jenny about it and she's on board. She needs the help in the coffee shop, and we need someone to take care of breaks and stock during the day" he stops beside me, speaking softly.
"Does that mean we can stop the twelve to sixteen hour work days?" I ask with a teasing lilt.
"Well, we get to. Not you" he teased and I watched him walk back down to help Jenny with the crowd that had come in since she unlocked the door and opened it. I sip my coffee and watch the patrons continue to come in. A few get a coffee and come to buy a newspaper, and I immediately start with the different colored carnations for the day to go with each purchase.
As soon as the morning rush finishes I look across the room and see a new book that I missed yesterday when I was looking over the new stock. Another werewolf romance. It's calling my name, and I look over to see that people are mainly seated at potions and having their morning beverage. I slip out from behind the counter and grab one of the new novels before going back to my post.
"I saw that" Jacob calls out.
"You saw nothing!" I retorted quickly, brushing back the dark wavy strands of hair that had fallen out of the bun. I read the back of the book before I open it under the counter and I start reading, getting lost in the artful words on the page.
Before long, I have to put the book away as we are starting to pick up business again, and my book goes back to remaining open in the fifth chapter. I also made sure to pay for the book with my discount as well, so I don't feel as bad about taking it for my trophy shelf upstairs as well. At this point, I have several trophy shelves, and it ranges from dark romance, to pararomance, to romcom's. Don't get me wrong, I have a bit of everything in there, but romance is just my thing. I love the spicier novels too, it keeps the imagination working when I've been single for so long. I mean, I've dated. But the hours I work kind of weed out almost everyone so far, and I'm worried that's going to extend to James as well.

James

This morning has been nothing but meetings and I'm bored out of my skull. I'm anxious to see my little mate again, and she's been in the forefront of my mind all day. Steve has had to take over a few times when I can't concentrate, but otherwise he lets me take charge. I'm happy to say that we've not only secured the land for the pack to move, but we've also hired a contractor who's willing to take whatever we throw at him and put in the extra hours. The architect from back home had given us the plans to each house and the main pack house so we can replicate it, to bring with us. The contractor promised to get on it right away once the land is fully in our name. I paid the entire amount in a wire transfer and it should only take a few days. Now I have to worry about transporting everyone. I know I have to go home, but now that I've found my mate, I don't want to. My wolf and I want to stay here and keep her safe. It's not like I can just take her with me either. No. We need to work up to that, and she seems so married to her job.
At eleven, I canceled my meeting. I can't wait to see my mate again. Even if I have to sit and drink coffee until she's ready for me, I simply can't bear another moment without her.
"You can't be serious" Steve watches me put on my black suit jacket. "You will scare off your mate if you seem too keen. She's human, they work differently than wolves" he tells me in a stern voice.
"I need to see her, she's too far away for my liking," I retort and he sighs before grabbing his own suit jacket to put on.
"I'm going with you, just to make sure you don't make a fool of yourself" he sighs loudly and starts to lock up our computers. I'm halfway to the door when he catches up and he locks up behind as soon as we are out. My wolf Fang is pacing inside my head, only wanting to see our mate again.
"Just make sure you stay away while I'm talking to her," I warn him.
"Don't worry, I won't come between you and your mate" my brother assures me, although Fang is already acting like a jealous wolf inside my head.
"We must get to her, I need to see her" Fang says to me and I smirk.
"We are going to her now, I can already smell her" I respond back, taking a deep inhale while walking down the street. Steve pretends I'm talking to him, even though he knows I'm talking to my wolf.
"How was the book last night? Did you finish it?" Steve asks me as we walk down the town street. There's quite a few cars driving by, and the odd pedestrian. Once the pack is here, I can already imagine this town will start booming. They, of course, will not know the existence of werewolves, but will just assume that a large family decided to move across the country. I have a meeting in a few hours with other Alpha's in the adjoined area's again. They are looking forward to our joint alliance, as much as I am. My pack is known for being strong, and following the laws. I will have to let them know I've found my mate though, I'm not sure about how they will feel about that. It's become common over the last fifty years for a wolf to receive a human mate and they just turn them instead. Some refuse the change, but I have a good feeling about my mate. She will be open to the change. I'll make sure of it before I open up about my circumstances to her. She will make a great Luna for the pack. She seems kind, and giving from what I've seen of her.
"I read the book, it was interesting. I think a werewolf wrote it" I smirk. "The sex scenes were a little too much on point for a human and werewolf mating" I admit. "I intend to ask my little mate what she thinks of the book, or if she finished it yet" I smirk. I can smell the coffee and the flowers drifting down the street already. My mate is so close, but I have to keep an even pace beside my brother as we walk towards the bookstore. I stop outside the front of the store and look in. She's wearing a white dress with red roses all over it, it accentuates her curves perfectly and my body comes alive with the need to make her mine. I put my hand in my pocket to readjust myself since I'm hard as a rock, and nod to Steve who opens the door. Her scent travels to me, and I feel like I'm hitting a wall. The room smells like coffee, flowers and books, one of my favorite scents outside of the woods. She looks up at me and her eyes light up in recognition and she gives me a smile and a small wave before looking pointedly at the time. I nod to her and head towards Potions to get a coffee.
"I'll get it, you grab a seat" Steve tells me and I nod, grabbing a table where I can watch her from the corner and be unobstructed. This next hour is going to feel like forever.