This far back in the store, between shelves and shelves of fiction novels and so close to the storeroom, the old book smell was far more noticeable than it was out front where you only caught a whiff of books between the smells that came in off the street and Jenny’s baked goodies. The smell of books was the other part of my job I loved, it was satisfying.
Too bad I would have to be satisfied with only loving those two things about the job I would be doing for the foreseeable future. But hey, some people loved nothing about their jobs. At least I had two things I didn’t mind coming in for.
Tiana was posing the movie character cut-outs when I got back, placing a magician and a cowboy in a compromising position. I laughed out loud, feeling the tension of the week melting from my shoulders. “I don’t think Tim’s going to let us keep them that way.”
“Then Tim needs to have his sense of humor checked.”
“I heard that,” Tim called from his office. “I don’t know what you guys are doing out there, but it better be family-friendly.”
“Of course, it is,” I replied over my shoulder, giggling as we moved the characters back into a more respectable position. “Do you think the cowboy’s lasso will be able to restrain the wizard enough he wouldn’t be able to free himself?”
Tiana shrugged. “Who knows? Maybe you can convince the authors of the novels to do a collaboration to solve the mystery.”
“Or maybe I should write the book myself, magicians versus cowboys. There has to be a market for that, right?”
Jenny laughed, and Tiana shook her head. “Speaking of new possible career paths, have you decided whether or not you’re taking the job with Williams yet?”
I sighed. Neither Tiana nor Jenny were going to like my answer. “I’m going to turn it down. I still have to make it official, but it’s the right thing to do.”
“The right thing to do?” Tiana repeated, setting the cowboy back on his stand to fix me with a glare that meant business. “How is it possibly the right thing to do?”
“If you were there, you would’ve understood. The sexual tension in that room when I interviewed with Jeremiah was too much, and that was just an interview. Imagine what it would be like if I had to work late alone with him in the office. I just don’t think it would be a good idea for me right now.”
“Not a good idea for you right now?” Tiana repeated again, slower, disbelievingly. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
“Nope. Look, I know you’re just trying to be supportive and all, but I can keep looking for another job. I don’t think this is the one for me.”
“It’s exactly the one for you,” Tiana exclaimed, flipping her dark hair over her shoulder and folding her arms. “You’re a strong woman, Steph. Please think about what you’re turning down here.”
“A one-way ticket to getting frisky with my boss and being fired for sexual harassment?”
She sighed, shaking her head. “No, because you’re strong enough to put him in his place if he pushes. Think of the money, Steph. That kind of salary doesn’t come along every day. It’s a way for you to get out of this place and have something to put on your resume that will open doors for you later.”
“Provided I open my legs for him now?”
“What?” she said. “No. Never. You’d be able to handle him, I know it. I understand if he makes it not worth it for you, but I wish you would reconsider. It seems like such a shame to throw an opportunity like this away over one guy.”
“A guy that will be my boss if I take the job,” I reminded her. It wasn’t like I didn’t want the job. I wanted it, all right. I wanted it and the perks that came with it, but unfortunately, I also wanted the boss. “I can’t risk it.”
“Yes, you can, because if anyone would be able to keep things above board and professional, then it’s you. But it’s your choice.” She turned her wrist to look down at her watch. “I have to get back to work. Just think about it, okay?”
“Okay,” I promised, waving as she shouldered her bag and took off. I tapped my finger to my lips as I turned my attention back to the half-arranged display, trying my best to get back into the frame of mind I had just minutes ago.
My decision was made. I was turning down the job, accepting lifelong display duty at the store and in the meantime, I would look for another job. That was the plan. Wasn’t it?
It was, I decided firmly. Then why haven’t you phoned and turned them down yet?
Urg. I was so sure I made the right choice, but what if I hadn’t? What if I was throwing away the opportunity of a lifetime, to change my life, over nothing? And why were all the ‘what ifs’ suddenly screaming so loudly in my mind?