Chapter 35 #2
“What if you had another job?” he whispered into my ear.
“Another job?”
“I heard of a bookstore that’s looking for a store manager.
It’s a tough job, though. You need to redecorate and create a new business plan.
The place is a bit tired, and it’s not doing well.
It’s in desperate need of a refresh. New paint.
New books. New merch. A whole new setup.
The owner really wants some color. Do you know anyone suitable? ”
I pulled away to look him in the eye. “What are you talking about?”
He took a deep breath. “I’m stepping away.
I’ve brought Felicity and Jackson on board as business advisors.
We had an honest chat yesterday, and they told me I need to hire someone to run this store.
It was probably the first time I’d ever heard them agree on something.
And they’re right. I’m the reason this business is failing, and I don’t want it to fail.
For Uncle Glenn’s sake. It’s his legacy.
I suppose I was the closest thing to a son and the only one he could talk books with, so he thought I could replace him, but I couldn’t.
He was outgoing and flamboyant, and I’m… you know.”
I nodded. “And what are you going to do?”
“Something I should have done a long time ago. Get a proper internet connection and sell rare books online. Maybe start writing again. I used to enjoy that.” There was a lightness to him and a hint of excitement.
“No dealing with people?” I smiled.
“You know how much I enjoy that.” He raised a brow.
It sounded like a huge pivot, but it also made sense.
“So do you know anyone?” he asked. “The job comes with an apartment. Not a fancy one, but you’ll have a kitchenette once I’ve installed some cupboards.”
So that’s what was in the box upstairs?
“How can you afford to pay anyone? You said the business is failing.”
He looked a little flustered. “I’m really hoping I find someone who values the free accommodation perk and accepts minimum wage, plus shares and bonuses. I have a draft agreement on my laptop if you’re interested?”
“You know I’m pathologically curious,” I said tentatively. “But you shouldn’t hire someone you’re sleeping with. That’s messy.”
“Noelle. I’m trying to make room for you. I want you to have a real, sustainable, long-term foothold in this town.”
“But what if we break up? Then I’d lose my job and my home.”
“No! It’s all in the contract. Two years to start with. I can’t hire you or fire you without Felicity and Jackson anyway. I know it’s awkward, but we’ll keep it clear and separate. If you have any terms or conditions, we can add them before you sign.”
My heart raced like I’d been running. “Fredrik! This is totally crazy! You know that, right?”
“I want you to stay, but I don’t want you to worry about being a burden or mooching off me or anything like that. I don’t feel like that, but I know you do, so—”
“So you’re creating a job for me?”
“I’m just trying to fix things.”
“Fredrik, please. I have a job. I’m leaving tomorrow, and I’ll be gone for eight months. It’s all set up.”
“But it’s Christmas! You can’t leave before Christmas.”
“Why not? That was the plan all—”
“Because your family is coming over!”
I froze. “What do you mean, my family? My parents don’t even know where I am.”
I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed. “They do now. I invited your sister over for Christmas, and she thought we should tell them and invite them too. I mean, Spencer already knows where you are. Why would you keep on hiding? I’m heating the house. There’s enough room for everyone.”
“You invited them here without asking me?” My voice crept up in shock. “When?”
“Yesterday.” He looked down at the floor. “I would have asked you, but...”
“I was talking to my parents, telling them I’m out on a cruise ship. You made me a liar!”
“Well…”
Okay. I was a liar, but something about what he’d done felt wrong. “You can’t do this, Fredrik. You can’t just fix things and expect me to fall in line. I thought I had to get away, so I made plans with Grace. She’s my best friend. What would I tell her?”
Fredrik captured my face between his hands, speaking in a soft, low voice. “You tell her that there’s a hopeless man in a small town who can’t go on without you, who needs you so desperately he’s doing stupid things his friend warned him about.”
“Jackson thought this was stupid?”
“He said inviting your family was risky and presumptuous. But it’s Christmas, and I know you miss them.”
“What if I’d left already? Would you carry on spending Christmas with my family?”
He looked guilty. “I kind of have the whole town on a lookout. They know Grace and report back to me whenever either of you goes anywhere.”
I frowned. “But we’ve been really careful.”
“It’s Hideaway Harbor. This is the most fun they’ve had in ages.
I have three detailed reports from different people on how you went into the library to use the bathroom.
Did you think I was going to let you sneak out?
I’m in love with you, Noelle. If you go, you’ll take everything… you’ll take all the colors with you.”
My heart glowed in all the colors, my tongue lost for words. “You’re in love with me?”
“Hopelessly, head over heels and toes and all my internal organs. Since the day I agreed to be your friend with benefits. Which probably explains why I was so terrible at it.”
“We were both terrible at it. I wanted to make you jealous. I wanted to make you admit it because I…” I swallowed against the truth that tried to push its way out of me.
Lifting my chin, he brushed our lips together like a gentle promise. “Please, stay.”
He was offering me a choice I thought I’d lost. Could I take it?