Chapter 7 – Mack
Monday is a busy day. A huge shipment of two new releases was delivered to Clancy’s this morning—a psychological thriller and a romantasy.
With hundreds of preorders for each book, the lines have been out the door all morning.
Erin says these are the biggest release day numbers she’s ever seen.
It’s like Christmas in July around here.
So many excited readers are queued up to claim their books.
I’m keeping an eye on Erin as she flits around the store, directing employees where to stack the new releases, helping cover the preorder pick-up counter to speed up the process. She’s in her element, and I love seeing her so happy.
Beth came in to the store today because of all the extra work. Erin manages the store on a day-to-day basis, but Beth helps out when the work load is unusually high, like it is today.
Finally, after the crazy morning rush, things have started to slow down to a more manageable level.
I step behind Erin, who’s currently helping out at the preorder pick-up desk, and lean down to whisper in her ear. “Time for a lunch break. You’ve been running nonstop all morning.”
She glances back at me. “It’s been crazy,” she says, but the smile on her face tells me she’s loving it. “Shane’s bringing us lunch today. He’s coming at 12:30.”
“It’s twelve-thirty now, so please let someone else take over for you so you can take a break.”
Right on time, Shane walks through the front doors, sidestepping excited customers and dodging the long lines. He’s wearing his typical work attire—a charcoal gray suit, white dress shirt, and a gray tie. Mr. GQ . He looks like a million bucks.
Shane holds up two hefty take-out sacks from Erin’s favorite sushi restaurant just down the street. He points upstairs to the second floor, where Beth’s office is located.
I nod and signal that Erin and I will be right up.
As Shane walks up the curved wrought-iron staircase, I resume trying to lure Erin away. She’s so preoccupied, I don’t think she even saw Shane come in. “Come on, honey. The sushi’s here.”
That gets her attention. She loves her cream cheese Rangoon and roasted salmon sushi with sweet chili sauce.
After I flag down one of the staff members to take over for Erin, I steer her toward the staircase, and we make our way up to the second floor.
We pass through the open employee workspace to Beth’s private office.
I don’t bother to knock as the door is open.
Shane is unpacking the food, while Beth grabs some paper plates and napkins from a cabinet.
Sam is raiding the fridge for soft drinks and bottles of water.
The food is arranged on the coffee table in front of a long sofa, and we all gather around to eat. Besides everyone’s meals, there are a number of appetizers to share.
“That’s quite a crowd downstairs,” Shane says.
He’s sitting on the sofa next to his wife. Sam is seated on her other side. Erin and I have pulled two chairs up to our makeshift dining table.
“Cheers to two new releases,” Beth says, holding up her bottled water. “Erin did all the work and all the planning, so she gets all the credit for a well-run distribution process.”
We all toast.
As we’re eating, Sam fetches a tray of brownies. “Courtesy of Cooper,” he says as he grabs a corner piece and takes a bite.
“So,” Shane says to me and Erin. “Have you guys picked a wedding date?”
I look to Erin. This is her call.
“The sooner the better,” she says as she smiles at me. “But we’ll need enough time to arrange for the cake, the catering, and of course outfits for the wedding parties.”
“I’ve already spoken to Gina Capelli about the catering and the cake,” Shane says. “The food and cake are a gift from me and Beth. You’ll just need to meet with Gina to tell her what you want. So, really, it boils down to how long you need to order the dresses. The tuxes won’t be a problem.”
“I can probably wear something right off the rack,” Erin muses. “And as for the bridal party, it doesn’t have to be anything fancy.” She glances toward Beth. “Will you be my matron of honor?”
Beth smiles. “Of course. I would love to.”
“And I’ll ask Haley to be my maid-of-honor,” Erin continues. “And hopefully Layla and Jasmine will be my bridesmaids.” She nods to me. “How about you?”
I tip my head to Shane. “I was hoping this guy would be my best man. After all, it’s because of him that I met Erin in the first place.” I lean close and brush a kiss to her temple.
Shane finishes chewing, nods, and swallows. “It would be my pleasure, Mack.”
“As for my groomsmen,” I say, “I plan to ask Jason, Liam, and Philip.”
Erin beams at me. “That’s so perfect. Philip will be honored that you asked him, and Haley will be thrilled.”
I glance at the redhead seated beside Beth. He’s not just her bodyguard; he’s family. And he, Beth, and Erin are thick as thieves. “And as for you, Sam….” I glance at Erin. “Would you like to ask him?”
She nods. “Sam, as you know, I don’t have any family. And you’re my best guy friend. I was wondering if you would walk me down the aisle.”
Sam sits frozen for a moment, his eyes wide. Then he sets his food down, gets up, and walks around the coffee table to Erin. He motions for her to stand. “I need a hug, girlfriend.”
She stands, and Sam wraps his arms around her.
“Does this mean you’ll do it?” she asks.
“Of course, it means yes! I can’t promise I won’t get choked up, though.”
After we finish eating our lunches and polish off the brownies, Shane heads back to work. Erin and I head back downstairs to check on the chaos. Fortunately, everything’s under control.
* * *
It’s not until late afternoon that I finally have a chance to get Erin to myself.
The preorders have mostly been picked up by now, and the crowds are down to a manageable level.
Erin’s still busy trying to keep up with customer demands for not one, but two, new releases.
She’s been flitting around the store all afternoon like a bee in a flower shop.
I find her in the storage room stacking copies of the new books onto a cart so she can replenish the New Releases displays.
She grins up at me. “Counting all the preorders and purchases, we’re bound to break a record for most books sold in one day!”
Her smile lights up her sweet face, her blue eyes crinkle at the corners, and her cheeks flush a pretty pink. Her hair is clipped back with gold barrettes today, reminding me of the first time I met her right here at Clancy’s.
Shane hired me to be in charge of store security, mostly to make sure no one bothered Beth.
She’d been in the newspapers a lot recently at that time.
Shane buying the bookstore as a gift for his girlfriend made the news.
The articles had attracted the attention of an old boyfriend, who showed up here and made a nuisance of himself.
Plus there was the matter of Beth’s stalker, Howard Kline.
So, Shane installed me here for added security.
And that’s how I met Erin, who was the assistant store manager at the time.
She was just twenty-two years old then. So young, all wide-eyed innocence.
And I was a thirty-five-year-old jaded former soldier fresh out of military service.
When Erin started showing interest in me, I didn’t know how to respond.
Yes, I was attracted to her, but she was way too young for me.
Hell, she was only six years older than my daughter.
Too young.
Way too young.
So, I did my best to discourage her.
And then there was that fateful day when she asked me to go to a New Year’s Eve party with her, and I said no. When she—the most reliable person on the planet—didn’t show up for work the next morning, I knew something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
As it turned out, I was right.
“Stop it, Mack,” she scolds.
I glance down at her. “Stop what?”
“I can tell when you’re thinking about it. Don’t. Please. It’s behind us.”
I swear she can read my mind. I tuck her silky dark strands behind her ear. “I was just thinking about how pretty you are.” I pick her up and set her on a nearby worktable. “And how sweet you are.”
She smiles.
“And how irresistible.” I push her skirt up to the tops of her thighs so I can step between her legs. When I drag her forward so that she’s sitting on the edge of the table, we’re so close she can feel my erection pressing against the fabric of my trousers.
Her blush deepens as she gazes nervously at the storeroom door. “Mack!” she whispers. “Someone could come in.”
I lean in to nuzzle her behind one ear. “Tonight, we’re celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?” she asks breathlessly.
I drag my lips across her cheek to her mouth, and I kiss her until she’s breathless. “It’s official. We have our wedding date.”
While we were having lunch earlier, Erin and Beth poured over a calendar and decided on a date six weeks from now.
In six short weeks, I’ll be Erin’s husband. “I’m counting the days until you’re officially mine.”
Suddenly, a muffled voice comes through the closed door. “Does anyone know where Erin is?” It sounds like Sandra, one of the employees.
I step back and help Erin hop off the table.
“I’m in here!” she calls back.
Sandra pokes her head into the storeroom and smiles apologetically. “Sorry, Erin, but you’re needed at the checkout counter.”
“I’ll be right there,” she says as she nervously runs hands down her skirt.
“Tonight,” I remind her as I follow her out the door. “We’re celebrating.”