**Chapter 11: The Bookstore Shenanigans Begin**
It was a bright and bustling day at the bookstore, the sun streaming in through the large front windows, casting a warm glow over the shelves. Max, now settling into the rhythm of his new job, stood behind the counter, Kota strapped securely to his chest, the little boy bouncing in rhythm with his every move. Today, though, there was a different energy in the air—a playful, chaotic energy that had “trouble” written all over it.
Noriko, standing nearby, shot Max a teasing grin as she handed him a small box of inventory to restock. “Ready for another day with our littlest employee?”
Max groaned, rubbing his temple with one hand while keeping the box steady in the other. “Yeah, if by ‘employee’ you mean ‘tiny agent of chaos,’ then absolutely.”
Kota giggled at the sound of his dad’s voice, clearly enjoying himself. Max raised an eyebrow at the baby. “Oh, you think this is funny, huh? You’re lucky you’re cute.”
Noriko chuckled, giving Kota’s cheek a gentle poke. “He’s definitely cuter than our last part-timer. And less likely to complain about his shift.”
Max rolled his eyes. “Maybe, but I’ve been spit up on three times already today, and it’s not even noon. I think he’s working against me.”
As if on cue, Kota made a small gurgling sound, his lips pursed in concentration. Max froze, his eyes widening in horror. “Oh no. Not again. Please, not the spit-up…”
But before Max could fully process his panic, Kota let out a loud burp, followed by a tiny giggle. Max sighed in relief, wiping his forehead dramatically. “Crisis averted.”
Noriko, holding back laughter, handed Max a burp cloth. “You’ve got this down to an art now.”
“Yeah, but my dignity has taken a serious hit,” Max quipped as he tucked the cloth into his shirt. “I used to be a man of respect and mystery. Now I’m just ‘Kota’s dad.’”
Noriko shot him a playful grin. “Oh, come on. You were never a man of mystery.”
Max was about to respond when the bell above the door jingled, and in walked an elderly man with a magnificent gray beard and a pair of round glasses that made him look like a wizard from a fantasy novel.
Max shot Noriko a look. “Is that Gandalf?”
She snorted. “If Gandalf were 5’5” and carried a tote bag of romance novels, maybe.”
The old man, hearing the exchange, shuffled over to the counter, a twinkle in his eye. “Not Gandalf, young man. I get that a lot, though. I’m here for my weekly book haul.”
Max blinked. “Ah, sorry, sir! What’s on the list today? Perhaps something about dragons and spells?”
The old man chuckled. “Not quite. I’m more into the, shall we say, saucier reads these days. Got any recommendations?”
Max felt his face heat up as Noriko stifled a laugh. Kota, completely unaware of the situation, reached out and tugged at Max’s shirt, drooling as if to emphasize the awkwardness.
Max cleared his throat. “Uh, let me just check the section for you.”
As Max walked toward the romance section, the old man followed close behind, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “You know, back in my day, romance novels weren’t nearly as… graphic as they are now. It’s quite a development.”
Max awkwardly nodded, picking up the pace. “Yeah, times have changed.”
When they reached the romance section, Max gestured to a shelf filled with various paperbacks, their covers adorned with muscly men and windswept women in dramatic poses. “Uh, here you go, sir. Plenty of choices.”
YOU ARE READING
THE FIRST TIME DADDY
RomanceMax never imagined his life would turn out like this: a single father raising a lively two-year-old while working at a quiet bookstore. Far from the successful man his wealthy parents hoped he'd become, Max is still finding his footing after years o...
