“You’re awfully confident about that,” I said, sitting down in what I thought of as my chair.
“I’m confident that my shelves are much better than something you could order online. Plus, I’ll assemble them myself.”
That was a good point.
“Do I get the ladder that rolls all the way across the shelves?” I asked.
“Obviously,” she said.
I tapped my chin, as if I was thinking. “I’ll take it under advisement.”
Theo rolled her eyes. “That’s exciting, though, Kendra.”
Her face softened, and my heart thumped loudly in my chest.
“Thanks. I hope it doesn’t all blow up in my face. There are still a million obstacles to overcome.” I wouldn’t believe it was happening until the doors were open and I was helping customers. Right now, it was still too ephemeral a dream to feel real.
“Have some confidence in yourself,” Theo said. “You can’t believe halfway in yourself.”
“Geez, okay,” I said, but my stomach fluttered at her insistence that I be confident. “I won’t half-ass it. I’ll use my whole ass.”
I did a little wiggle and Theo got a strange look on her face before she shook her head and picked up her coffee again.
The bell on the door sounded and a noisy couple came into the showroom. I could already tell they were going to be annoying.
“Excuse me,” Theo said, putting both hands on the desk to stand up.
I busied myself with my phone as Theo dealt with the couple. I could feel the irritation coming off her in waves, even all the way across the showroom.
More people came in and there was a little bit of a rush, so I just hung out and tried not to eavesdrop too much as Theo did her thing. She had run this business before she met me, and she was an adult and had sold furniture before.
Theo was busy for a while and I thought I should leave her to it, but I ended up staying in the office so I didn’t distract her.
At last, the room cleared out and Theo came back to the office and shut the door behind her.
“Fuck me,” she said, closing her eyes. I handed her what was left of her coffee.
“I’m not going to bug you about hiring a salesperson again, but you should really hire a salesperson,” I said, and she opened her eyes and looked down at me.
Theo opened her mouth to argue, but then she closed it with a snap.
“You’re right. I know you’re right. That’s why it pisses me off. I can’t keep doing this. I’m behind on orders because I can’t be in the workshop and be in here dealing with bullshit.”
“Hold on, could you say those first two words again?” I said, cupping my hand to my ear.
Theo rolled her eyes. “Shut up, I’m not saying it again.”
“Whatever. You still said it and I’m going to remind you.”
Theo drained the rest of her coffee noisily.
“I don’t want to manage another person,” she said.
“If you find the right person, it won’t be so bad. Just find someone who’s a self-starter, who works hard, and then pay a commission.” There were so many people in this small town who were looking for a job.
“I can help you with interviews, if you want,” I said.
“No, I’m a grown woman, I can do it,” Theo said, waving me off. “I do know some things.”
“I know. I was just offering help if it was wanted. Like a friend.”
Scout got up from where he’d been napping on his bed and went to lick Theo’s hand.
“Too bad you don’t have enough brain cells to be a salesman,” Theo told him as she rubbed one of his ears.
“I’d buy furniture from him,” I said, and Theo laughed softly.
The front door dinged again, and I stood up. Time to go.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night,” I said. “And I’ll see you too.” I gave Scout a kiss on the top of his head.
“Thanks for the coffee,” Theo called as I headed for the door. I spun around and waved.
“You’re welcome, friend.”
Chapter Ten
My living room was finally coming together, and I was pleased. I had a couch and a TV and a rug and the walls were painted and ready for my Dad’s painting to be hung. I was still using the folding table as a coffee table until Theo could finish the one I’d ordered.
Now that my house didn’t require as much work, I could concentrate on my bookstore.
Step one, finding a name. I’d made lists and lists and looked online and still nothing. None of my options felt like…mine.
I couldn’t set up accounts or work on finding a space or do anything else until I had that, and it was annoying the hell out of me and making me doubt myself.
“Hypothetically, if you had a bookstore, what would you name it?” I asked Theo that evening when I walked into her house. She had a plate of uncooked chicken in her hands.