Page 67 of Fixed Up Ever After
The women shared a knowing smile before Mattea laughed and pulled her in for a hug. “Today is your day, miss. You get to enjoy it.”
“Ten minutes!” Mona yelled, barging into the room carrying a whole tray of assorted donuts. “You know you got a line forming outside, right?”
“What? Seriously?!” Lola gasped, all but sprinting to look out the window at the front of the store. Sure enough, a line of at least a dozen people waited. They were all different ages, but all here for the same reason: the books.
“I have another box of treats in the car. I think we might need them.” Mona said.
“Are you sure you and Mattea can afford to be here? Neither one of you need to be in the store?” Lola had pulled them away from the bakery so many times throughout the process, but neither woman complained.
Mattea waved her concern away. “Justina can handle it. She’s been begging us to give her more responsibilities at the bakery. She knows she can call if she needs help.” Justina was Mattea’s nineteen-year-old niece who had been working since she was sixteen. “Besides, I have a feeling we are going to be very busy today. All hands on deck.”
“And now we are down to six minutes,” Mona called, obviously taking up the job as a talking clock. “Imma get the last box of desserts,” she said and made a beeline for the back door.
“Tell me where you want me to go,” Mattea said like a soldier waiting for orders.
“Uhm…do you mind running the cafe? We are only selling a few items and all of them are programmed into that fancy cash register. Mona and I can take care of the checkout counter.”
“Don’t forget to walk around and mingle. Building a community is important. Mona can handle the cash register so you can make your rounds. Trust me, you are going to want to meet and talk to your first-time customers.”
“Ugh, seriously Mattea, I don’t know what I would do without you.” Lola couldn’t stress enough how thankful she was for her chosen family. The support and love radiating off her friends had given her the strength she needed to get through these last few weeks.
“You would do just fine, though perhaps have a little less fun.” She winked, just as the back door flew open again and Mona came in carrying the pastries they would be selling in the cafe.
“Three minutes,” Mona sang, stacking the delicious-smelling desserts away.
Lola took a moment to breathe before making a final walk through the store, making sure everything was in its proper place.
“Two minutes.”
She plugged her phone in, connecting it to the speakers to play instrumental music throughout the store.
“One minute.”
Heart pounding out of her chest, she swept the room with her eyes as if something would jump out at her. Nothing did.
“And…you’re open, babe!” Mona’s giddy self appeared beside her. She bumped her hip against hers. “Go open the door and let’s get started.”
Inwardly, Lola was freaking the fuck out, and outwardly…well she probably looked like she was freaking the fuck out. Mona had to give her a gentle push to get her feet moving. The crowd had only grown in size and watched her with eager eyes from outside.
With a small, awkward wave to her first-time customers, Lola unlocked the doors. She opened up to the public for the first time and was greeted by a chorus of claps and excited cheers.
Ah, she loved book lovers.
“Welcome to the grand reopening of Phoenix Books. We have free donuts, so make sure you grab one on the way in. Our cafe is open and everything is ten percent off today. Now—” She stepped aside, unblocking the entrance.
The first few customers went inside, a few stopping to congratulate her or tell her how excited they are for the reopening. The shop began to fill up quickly, but no one seemed to mind the crowd. Sounds of laughter and excited chatter drowned out the music, but it was a much better sound in her opinion.
Lola’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much and as the last person strolled into the store, she got ready to follow them in when she heard her name called. She turned around to see a familiar family and her heart squeezed tightly for a moment. Ofelia and her husband Maverick approached with Camilia and Arturo holding hands.
But just the four of them. No sign of Javi.
That hurt more than it should. She had thought maybe he would be here since he had known how much this moment meant to her. Maybe he would…
No. She had hesitated too long when it came to Javi and she was getting what she deserved.
Even though it hurt, she smiled through the pain. Ofelia had still come like she promised and brought her family.
“I’m so glad you all could make it!” Which was the truth. Lola leaned down to get eye level with Arturo and Camilia. “Are you ready to see all the books?”
