Recommended Reading

30. A Head for Business

30

A Head for Business

“Anything by Julie Murphy is a sure bet,” I say to a pair of customers as the bell above Corner Books’ door tinkles and Evie walks in.

Evie loiters by the tables near the entrance, perusing new releases while I serve the duo, a woman with short blue hair and a guy with luxuriously cascading hair who told me they record a podcast. They decide to buy Julie and Sierra Simone’s steamy series of Christmas romances at my suggestion.

“I find they pair well with ample amounts of Mariah to set a festive mood,” I say, keeping Evie in my peripheral view as she meanders about.

When the duo leaves, Evie keeps glancing from the cover of the book she’s holding to me and back again.

I cross my arms and stand by the register. “You made it clear you don’t need my help,” I call across the store.

Evie puts down the book. “I suppose I deserve that.”

Gladys pokes her head out of the back room where she said she’s checking stock for a call-in customer, but I suspect she’s having a work-unrelated conversation with the second Gladys. She remains in the doorway, watching.

I don’t answer Evie.

Evie says, “I told Luke you wouldn’t make this easy.”

I narrow my eyes. “What should I be making easy? And why would you be talking to Luke about me?”

“He’s the one who suggested I speak to you. I need some additional resources for the festival. He thought you might have them.” Evie suddenly becomes very interested in inspecting the fingernails on her left hand.

“Little Elm College has been putting it on for years. They should have this thing down to a science,” I say.

“But I don’t. I’m in over my head.” Evie lets her breath out in a long exhale. “We need volunteers and more moderators. And Campus Books missed ordering copies of about half the presenters’ books. And I know what I said and there’s bad blood between us, but I need someone to make sure the festival doesn’t flop.” It all flows out of her in one steady stream. When she’s done, she stands there watching me.

My Summer of Bobby list said I hoped the festival would go down in flames. Another item to check off. “I’ve got my hands full at the moment arranging a book club for the seniors from the assisted living center. Excuse me, but none of this sounds like a Bobby problem.”

“I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t desperate.” Tears bead up in Evie’s eyes. “I told Luke you wouldn’t help me. This year’s festival is going to bomb hard. We both know they should have kept you. The fountain wasn’t a fail. It was an example of how you’re one of the only people in this town who can envision something of this magnitude.”

I feel someone’s hand on my arm.

Gladys stands beside me. “I’ll call you back.” She clicks the phone off and says softly, “It takes a lot to go to the last person you’d want to ask and ask them for their help.”

I open my mouth to argue but Gladys squeezes my arm.

“Whatever you answer, remember that.” She releases my arm.

The Big Summer Reading Festival was supposed to be mine. I was supposed to be the freshman liaison. I had all the plans made and ready to go. It was going to be truly fabulous. Spectacular even. An event Little Elm would talk about for years to come. And then they dropped me without a second thought.

Except it was never really mine to start with. It’s Little Elm’s Big Summer Reading Festival. Not Evie Bosendorfer’s or Bobby Ashton’s. It doesn’t belong to me, but to our entire town. Without it, I doubt Little Elm would even be on the map. The festival brings in a lot of money, money that keeps residents able to pay their rent and bills throughout the year. It’s important on a macro scale.

But none of that means I’m not going to strike an advantageous deal for the promise of all my work. Wanda, with all her new interest in monetizing business opportunities, is about to be proud of me.

“If I agree to help, what’s in it for me?” I ask.

Evie shifts uncomfortably. “What do you want? Your job back?”

“No,” I say quickly. I even see Gladys perk up in surprise as she listens. “I’ve got a job and I like it here. I’m not bailing on Corner Books.”

“I don’t exactly have a lot of power if you’re thinking of extorting me. I can give you recognition, but that’s about it.”

I shake my head. “I don’t need that. I’ve had enough of being the center of attention. I’ll help you get the festival back on track. I can get the volunteers and moderators and even the missing books. I want a booth in exchange.”

“A booth?”

“A booth,” I repeat. “It’s about time Corner Books was invited to the Reading Festival.”

Evie shakes her head. “That’s not possible. All available space is reserved. Besides, Campus Books won’t like it.”

I pull up an aerial map of the festival on my phone. “It’s possible and Campus Books is going to like a failed festival even less. Shove Corner Books in at the end of an aisle. Pull tables out of a classroom or building if you have to. If you want me, you’ll find a way.”

“I guess Corner Books is getting a booth.” Evie holds out her hand for me.

I shake on it. “Confirm our presence officially first and get us added to the website. Then text me and we’ll get a plan going. My number hasn’t changed.”

“I’ll thank you when this is all done,” Evie says.

“Make no mistake, you’ll worship at my feet.”

Evie leaves and Gladys hands me the store’s phone. “You drive a hard bargain. Give your uncle a call. He’ll need the two of us to help get Corner Books ready for its first Big Summer Reading Festival.” As she walks away, she adds, “And Robert? You were amazing.”

I reply, “I’m not unaware of the fact.”

THE SUMMER OF BOBBY

(AKA Bobby Ashton’s Plan for the Perfect Summer Before College)

? Summer job: Corner Books

? Play nice with Gladys

? Become a star employee

? Spruce up Corner Books’ image

???? Hope Evie tanks Big Summer Reading Festival

???? Make Little Elm’s Big Summer Reading Festival SICKENING

???? Land the Perfect Boyfriend: TRUMAN

???? LUKE???

? Corner Books’ book club

? Cass and Uncle Andy

???? Help Wanda