Page 68 of Fixed Up Ever After
“Yes! Ms. Lola, can you read me one? I like your funny voices.” Camilia smiled.
“I read too!” Arturo said excitedly.
Lola was overwhelmed by all the cuteness. “I think we can arrange that. I have to make a few rounds, but before you leave, we can read a book of your choosing.” The cute cheers from the cousins made her laugh. “Off you both go. There are donuts on the table.”
“Donuts? Say less.” Maverick grinned and walked inside to find said treats. Ofelia rolled her eyes, but Lola didn’t miss the fondness in her features when she looked at her husband.
“I swear that man is a giant toddler sometimes. Anyway, we don’t want to keep you. Besides, we will see you later tonight.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief and she ushered the cousins in before Lola could ask what she meant by that statement.
What the hell was happening tonight?
Before she could contemplate it more, an elderly woman approached her and asked about book recommendations for her grandson. She soon got lost in helping her customers, manning the second cashier when they had a steady flow of customers, and managing to sneak in one quick storytime that was meant to be for Camilia and Arturo but ended up being for quite a few kids.
After her impromptu storytime and the morning rush of customers, Lola finally had a second to tidy up a few displays needing her attention. The bell to the front door chimed and she looked up to greet her new customer. “Welcome to Phoenix Boo—”
She abruptly cut herself off, blinking once and then twice to make sure her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her. Because there was no way her father had just walked through the door. More shocking than that, and even more unbelievable, he wasn’t alone.
Marisol had come too.
All of the words she had ever learned in her life magically vanished, leaving her gaping as she struggled to come to terms with what she was seeing.
“You didn’t think we would miss your grand opening, did you?” Her father’s boisterous laughter echoed around her. Marisol remained quiet, but for once didn’t look disgusted to be around her. She seemed…almost shy. And that was not the Marisol she knew.
“I, uhm, actually did.” She didn’t have her father and estranged sister showing up to her store opening on her bingo card. Must have missed that one. “I just…You’ve never…I’m sorry. I’m really surprised. That’s all.”
“We had to find out the opening date from a friend.”
A friend? What friend was communicating with her father?
“I’m not missing my daughter’s opening of her own business. What kind of father would I be? I brought your sister for support as well.” He smiled and patted Marisol’s back.
Brought or forced? She didn’t voice that question but wondered all the same. Marisol had yet to say anything, but she saw her biting her lip as if holding back words she wanted to share.
She also noted her mother wasn’t present, which didn’t surprise her in the least. It still stung though. What surprised her was that Archie wasn’t there with his new wife.
“Where’s Archie?” she asked, despite herself.
Marisol and her father looked at each other before Marisol shrugged. “Not here,” was all she supplied and Lola made a mental note to ask about that later.
“This must be a bit of a shock and I hope us coming isn’t upsetting you,” her father spoke and for the first time in her life, he seemed nervous.
Was she upset? No, not really. It felt…nice. Weird and a little awkward, but nice. So many questions ran through her mind and she wanted to ask them all, but now wasn’t the time for a family meeting.
“I’m glad you’re here. Do you, erm, want me to show you both around?” she asked, suddenly feeling self-conscious. The bookstore was an extension of her and if they didn’t like it, she wouldn’t be able to feel like they didn’t like a part of her.
“We will request a private tour later. Right now, we are here for support. Put us to work,” her father said and she couldn’t have been more stunned if the books started to fly off the shelf.
“You want to help?” She couldn’t keep the skepticism out of her voice. Had her sister ever worked a day in her life?
“If you’ll have us,” Marisol said softly.
“I—yeah, okay. Sure. Do you know how to make coffee?”
“No.”
Lola laughed. “Doesn't matter. Mattea will teach you. I’m sure she could use the help. And Dad, if you wanted to help run the other cash register, I would appreciate it.”
Her father saluted her. “You got it, kiddo.”
