Page 48 of The Troublemaker
ChapterSixteen
Hadley
It’s been one full week.
Seven days of waking up and putting on a face full of makeup, curling my hair, and putting together the cutest outfits I can find.I even went shopping with Penelope one afternoon to find some more outfits.One hundred sixty-eight hours where my heart lands in my throat every time the door opens or my phone buzzes or someone walks into the bookstore.
The other day, I ran into Easton returning from practice and put on lip gloss really quick just in case.I’m a complete basket case.
But it’s been seven days of nothing, and I’m growing irritated now.
I’ve started to think Jagger changed his mind.Or Easton talked him out of it.Or maybe the whole thing got buried under the start of the season and the Colts winning their first two games, and I am genuinely off the hook and can just go to the courthouse and sign my marriage certificate like a normal fake bride.
So today, I just threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and did my usual lighter makeup.No fake lashes, no eyeshadow, and no lip liner.Mostly because Easton told me he’s going to be late tonight for some fundraiser thing he has to go to.
The Story Jar is warm and smells like new books and coffee from the little machine Vera keeps behind the counter that she claims is only for employees but shares with the moms who look as though they’re having a rough day and need a little pick-me-up.
Felix comes over and pushes the stroller by the window.“Tanner needs the vitamin D.”
I don’t bother arguing with the man.He has opinions about everything.Book orders, shelf placement, which story time voice works best for which age group.Supposedly, he’s been lobbying for a specific beanbag chair for years, and now that Mae is gone, he’s sent me four separate links to the same one.
Little does he know we can’t afford his beanbag chair.
Although I wish we could.He’s so good with Tanner.
He’s read Tanner four books in the past three days and refers to him as his little library apprentice, carrying him around as he does things, always talking to him as they go down the aisles.
Tanner loves him back.He reaches for Felix every time he comes to work, and Felix acts as if he’s Tanner’s uncle.
I watch them from behind the counter, where I’m going through the financials Whit left me, which is about as fun as it sounds.If I thought Vera and Pete were reasons to keep the doors open, Felix and his partner, Marco, are right next to them.He’s worked here for over a decade, and he and Marco finally got their adoption application approved and are now waiting for a match.Which means Felix needs to stay employed.
Focus, Hadley.
I scour the spreadsheet.
Red… so much red.
It’s like a bloodbath.
The door chime rings.
“Oh, we got some regulars today.What’s up, Monty and Fitzy?”Felix puts his hand in the air, and the two boys jump up to smack it.“You know the drill.”He theatrically bows and holds his arm out in the direction of the mat.
The kids laugh, and another girl comes in.
“Gus!”Felix smiles wide.
“It’s Augustina,” the little girl says.
“That’s what I said, no?”
One by one, the kids come in.He knows them all and has nicknames for the majority of them.Sure, I ran into Felix a few times over the years, but he was an addition after I decided Chicago wasn’t where I wanted to be.I understand now why my grandma would always say he keeps things young here.
Monroe and Hazel arrive together, which isn’t unusual.They come in with Leighton and Callie every Tuesday, but today Penelope joins them.I smile and say hello.Callie and Leighton sit on the mat with Ellis and Flora in their laps.
I go back to the boring spreadsheet.
“Can’t have story time without our little mascot.”Felix wheels Tanner closer to the circle before sitting in the rocking chair.
