Bookstore princess

Chapter 19

Nadia

"Well, I'm glad the place is still standing" Jacob coughs on the phone. Jenny has him on speaker when I come into the bookstore. "Is Nadia okay?"
"Oh she's good. James spent the night on the couch" Jenny updates him, with her back to me. "We miss you" she tells him quickly and he starts coughing again.
"Hey Jacob" I say as I get closer and Jenny jumps.
"Jeepers!" she exclaims. "What the hell dude? I thought you were still upstairs" she sasses me.
"James needed a shower, and I'll take mine tonight. How are you feeling, old man?" I tease him as I sit beside Jenny.
"Hey I'm aging like a fine wine. You on the hand, aged like vinegar" he coughs out. "I'm fine. If Rieta wasn't still sick I'd be in today" he says with a grunt as you hear him get slapped. "Ow, I'm fragile" he says.
"I'll still kick your ass. You can't go in" Rieta's voice comes on the phone. "He was up all night vomiting" she says a little louder.
"Keep him, we are doing just fine. We do need your approval though" I say, looking at Jenny. "James is helping me, but Jenny needs an extra set of hands. We interviewed a woman named Maria. She's perfect for the job in Potions, and she's willing to go through the background check" I tell him.
"Yeah, text me her details. I'll call her. Does she have both your votes?" he asks.
"Yes" Jenny says with a hint of relief on her face.
"I'll call her now, if she seems suitable I'll let her know she can start once all that comes back" he sighed.
"Thank you! You wont regret it!" Jenny grins and jumps a little in her seat.
"Yeah, yeah. Is James helping, or "helping"?" he asks curiously.
"Helping a lot. He really did help catch someone trying to vandalize the building again while we were doing inventory last night" I step in. Jenny's face is red, and I know she's probably visualizing the sight James gave us this morning. I'm still thinking about it, and I've got to say... it was a sight worth seeing.
"Shit, I forgot about inventory. Do we need another delivery this week or are we going to be okay?" he asks with a long sigh.
"Believe it or not, but business is up. We need another delivery, especially on books for the local area" I tell him.
"And I need more supplies too. We are going to run out in a few days if it keeps up like this" Jenny updates and I hear Jacob coughing again.
"Listen, once I get the all clear I'll be back in. Just order what we need, and we will do a full sweep of the place on Sunday to see what's getting popular and what we should hold off on," Jacob comes back after his coughing fit.
"I'll do the order this morning" I yawn and Jenny looks at me worriedly.
"I'll go get started on my inventory and give you the list" Jenny gets up. "We will talk to you soon, Jacob"
"See ya" he hangs up and she grabs her phone and goes back behind the counter. I slump in my seat and put my head on the table, closing my eyes for a moment. I know I should get up and do the order, but I'm honestly exhausted and I don't know if I'll make it the whole day. I know if I say anything, Jenny will offer to stay and take over once Potions closes. I know it's a long drive home for her at night, so I refuse to give in. It's an hour before we open, so I figure a minute with my head down on this cool, hard surface should be exactly what I need.
My mind starts drifting off when I feel a heartbeat on my left shoulder where James bit me last night in the throes of passion. I suddenly feel lips on the same spot, and two hands on either side of my shoulders. It's like my body knew he was here before I realized it. I can smell cedar oil and pine, and hum happily.
"You look pale, baby doll" James murmurs in my ear.
"Just tired," I whisper. "I thought you said you might take a nap after your shower?" I open my eyes and sit up to look at him, turning slightly in my seat.
"And let you have all the fun?" he chuckles and flashes his perfect white teeth. He's dressed in relaxed fit jeans that are dark blue, and a black t-shirt that shows off his tattooed left arm. It's a beautiful design that also looks like metal vines going all around his arm, and in the center of his shoulder is a wolf. I'm not sure if I want to kiss him or take a nap now. The ache in my body tells me I'm either exhausted or coming down with something. I'm praying it's just exhaustion. James seems to notice the flicker in my facial expression and he presses his hand to my forehead worriedly.
"Baby doll, I think you should go rest" he says worriedly.
"I can't, I have too much to do" I reach for my iced coffee only to realize I already finished it. I frown and he takes the cup from me.
"Fine, but I'm going to be under your feet all day. And I'm ordering supper" he says as he heads over to where Jenny is busy. He goes behind the counter and bless him, he's already making another iced coffee. Jenny goes to him and adds caramel syrup, sweetener and creamer before patting him on the shoulder. He brings me back the cup and hands it to me with flourish and a large smile on his face. His still drying hair looks perfectly tousled and my mind goes back to last night and running my fingers through it. It felt so good. Everything about being with him feels good, and so right. It's like there's this invisible tether that has us connected. I still can't believe he put his life on pause, just for me. For that alone, I feel like I'm falling in love with him. The realization slams into me, and I gaze at him. He gives a soft smile and a kiss on my forehead before sitting down beside me and taking a sip of his coffee and leans into me, offering his shoulder. With barely a thought, I rest my head on his shoulders and take a moment to close my eyes feeling completely safe and protected.

James

After the store opened for the day, Nadia was busy with helping customers and putting in an order for additional books and supplies for Potions, as well as requesting more flowers to give away during the week. Me on the other hand, I've made myself at home. I had texted Maria that I needed more clothes, which she promised to bring after she stopped by the police station. I also went upstairs and made lunch for my little mate and I. Just some simple sandwiches and fruit to eat. I also made an order online for more groceries to restock her fridge. Melody seems to be more trusting of my presence as I keep coming in and out of the apartment during the day.
Nadia barely took a break to eat, until I insisted. She's pale, and I can tell she's not feeling the best.
Around four in the afternoon, even Jenny looked weary of Nadia's health. She even switched her favored iced coffee for some sweetened peppermint iced tea, to Nadia's surprise. She only murmured a thank you and drank it quickly.
"Hey Al.. James" Maria came into the store with a small suitcase and a large envelope. "You have enough clothes for a couple of days, and after work clothes. You have your laptop in the bag, as well as a few other things you might need" she comes straight to me and hands me the bag. I'm standing at the cash register with Nadia who looks like she's getting weaker by the second.
"Thank you" I give a quick smile and look worriedly at Nadia.
"I also have this for Nadia and Jenny" Maria looks at my mate and hands her the envelope. She looks surprised but opens the envelope and a smile blooms across her face. I find myself missing her rosy cheeks since she normally blushes so easily.
"Can you start tomorrow?" Nadia asks, putting the document under the counter.
"I'm available in the mornings, but the afternoons for the next week are kinda hectic" Maria gives a broad smile.
"That's perfect" Nadia quickly agrees.
"Are you still working on that special project for me?" I ask curiously.
"Daily, things are ahead of schedule. You will be pleased when you check your emails" Maria grins.
"We will have the contract ready for you tomorrow morning, can you stop by at eight? I know we open at nine, but we usually start early" Nadia explains.
"I'll be at the front door," Maria nods.
"Here, bring this to..." Nadia starts as she's pulling out the envelope again.
"Bring who what?" Jenny had made her way over since there was no one at her counter at the moment.
"Here" Nadia hands her the envelope. Jenny doesn't even open it up.
"Oh thank God. I need the extra hands," Jenny exhales a sigh of relief. "I flipped the sign, we are closing early today" she looks at Nadia pointedly.
"We can't just close" Nadia baulks.
"We own the store and yes we can. You look like you are coming down with something and I know you'll push yourself until you have to be hospitalized unless we call your mom or step in. So here I am, stepping in. I'm getting rid of the last of the customers and you are headed upstairs and going to lay down for a bit," Jenny effortlessly bosses Nadia who looks alarmed at the thought of Jenny calling her mom. "You need a break, buddy" she adds softly.
"I'll help with the customers, and then I'll run down to the diner to pick up supper after the grocery order comes in" I offer and Nadia looks so confused it's adorable. I love everything about this woman, and not just because she's my mate.
"Groceries?" she repeats.
"Yes, you're running low. I ordered some groceries since there's two of us to feed, and I got Melody a few cans of wet food. Don't worry, you'll like it. I even got you some more strawberries" I wiggle my eyebrows at her and she just wraps her arms around my chest and holds me close. I kiss her on top of her head and she hums and gives a muffled thank you. I hold her close and stand there as she melts into me.
"I'll start letting people know," Jenny says wisely and backs away.
"I've got a few minutes, I'll help clean up" Maria says, smiling widely at me holding my mate.
"Do you need anything else baby doll?" I murmur to Nadia who hums and then tilts her face up towards me and I see a small blush creep into her cheeks.
"Can you just hold me for a bit when we go upstairs?" she asks as though she's embarrassed.
"I'll hold you until you can't bear it anymore, and then just a little more" I give her a soft kiss on the lips, brushing her hair out of her face. I meant every word.