Second Chances

ANGIE'S DELUXE BOOKSHOP

Angelina Regio reached up to stack books on the tall deep-blue bookshelf, her arm aching after sorting out new stock. She massaged her bicep and winced at the aches and pains. In any new venture, Angie liked to go all in rather than ease into things. Her friends always chastised her for pushing herself too hard, and the aching joints and pains were the result.

Her eyes roamed her newly established bookshop, which took a lot of grit and effort to make spotless. The blue carpeted flooring gave off a fresh scent, and the smell of new books made her heart soar. Decorative Australian flags and bright globe lights hung down from the ceiling and gave the bookshop a warm and inviting ambience.

Angelina, whose friends called her Angie, stepped behind the counter and leaned into a cardboard box containing new books. Flicking a burgundy, brown fringe out of her eye, she grasped a book and put it on another bookshelf. Her long hair cascaded loosely down over her shoulders, and she regretted not tying it up. It was a hindrance, always catching in the pages of books. Beads of sweat lined the back of her neck, and she was short of breath after a two-hour stint of physical exertion that morning.

She faced her business partner and best friend, Maddy, heading into the back part of the shop holding bags of food and two bottles of water.

"Hey, Angie. I bring food."

The bottles almost toppled over, but Angie reached forward and caught them. She smiled at her friend, whose short, light brown waves bobbed as she settled the food onto the counter. Maddy wasn't much taller than the front counter, but Angie would kill for her slim figure and hazel eyes, which sometimes pierced into her own when Maddy worried about the slightest things.

"Thanks, Maddy. I'm starving."

Angie pulled out a warm cheese and ham croissant, sinking her teeth into the soft, flaky texture, butter dripping down her chin. Wiping her mouth with a napkin, she stood by the counter with Maddy opposite. "It's been six months, Maddy. We need more customers just to meet costs. We have to make this bookshop work. The online bookstores are killing our business."

Maddy nodded while holding onto her hash brown. "It takes time, Angie. Let me worry about the numbers. I do the books, after all."

"But we should have more steady sales by now." She chewed more of the croissant, savouring the delicious flavours.

Maddy grinned. "I know, but you're a people person. You'll find ways to attract more customers." She sighed. "The bookshop will be booming soon. You'll see. Cutting out the voluntary work at the hospital will pay off. You'll be needed here on Saturdays." She spoke through a mouth full of food.

Angie knit her brows. "You're right. I'll think of something. I hope. This is our new baby."

Angie had known Maddy since primary school, and they'd been best friends ever since. She'd had Angie's back through the dark times, and there wasn't anyone else Angie would rather be in this bookshop business with than Maddy. Growing bored at their nine-to-five jobs, they had planned to open the bookshop together. After a few years working as a marketing executive, Angie managed to save enough for her half of the investment. Maddy had come up with the other half working as a financial analyst. Now, their collective love of books and business was all around them. From the smell of paper and ink to the creaking of the wood floors, Angie felt at home in their little bookshop. She prayed with all her soul that they wouldn't need to close their doors. If business didn't pick up soon, though, they would be doing exactly that. All their dreams and plans would be for nothing.

With Maddy's accounting skills and Angelina's business savvy mind, they could surely make this new enterprise work. Angie and Maddy had done well for their twenty-seven years.

The bookshop had a staircase out the back, which led to large bay windows and walking space. The previous owner had used part of that space as a small gallery to display paintings. Next door was a vacant building that her stepfather, Jack, had purchased for her in hopes that she would eventually expand the business. Expanding the store seemed out of the question with the first six months of poor sales.

Angie finished drinking her water then threw all the breakfast scraps into the nearby bin. Together, they opened the roller door and welcomed the three waiting customers standing outside. Maddy made her way into the store while Angie put out a small whiteboard sign to promote selected books. She needed to find the customers who would buy at full price but target bargain-hunters too. The promotions wouldn't be a regular occurrence but a way to bring in new customers to build the business.

Maddy served the first customer of the day and smiled as the man rattled on about the ills of the world while shaking his head. Poor Maddy, having to deal with someone who complained about everything.

Angie changed focus and peered at the entrance. She needed paying customers, and it didn't look like any of the morning visitors were buying. She was walking to the counter when in the corner of her eye, she caught a familiar face. She flinched and her stomach seemed to sink right out of her. What was he doing here?

Enrico looked a little older but hadn't changed much with his short, black glossy hair, striking bright blue eyes, a strong jawline, and shaped eyebrows. His attractiveness was never in question, but behind that chiselled physique hid a viper—a bully who thought he was God's gift to women. Angie doubted ten years could change someone that much. Once a bully, always a bully.

Angie scanned the room for Maddy and found her still busy with the customer. Enrico turned in her direction but didn't look surprised to see her. With a hesitant step, he approached her and lowered his gaze. "Hello, Angie."

Her bottom lip trembled, and her arms fell loosely to the sides. "Enrico. What are you doing here?" Angie took a deep breath and fought off the images of her past, which still troubled her.

Enrico cleared his throat, hesitating. "I need a book about wood carving. Would you have something?" He averted his eyes and stared out into the distance.

She nodded, wishing she didn't have to be the ever professional and could tell him to get lost. "Over here." Angie slid her fingers across the middle row of a range of handyman and craft books and pulled one out. She promptly deposited it into his hand. "Here. There are a few others on this shelf. Feel free to browse."

Angie's throat was dry, and her legs unsteady. She made her way back to the counter without looking back, trying to calm her nerves. Quickly, she assisted another customer while gazing briefly at Enrico, who flicked through the book and intermittently eyed her with curiosity. Why was the bastard here? Had he come to push the knife deeper into her chest? He acted as if he'd done nothing to her all those years ago. The nerve of him coming into her place of business.

He eventually made his way to the counter. She quickly entered his purchases, the wood carving book she had given him and a thriller novel. She grabbed his credit card, their fingers brushing. She ignored the tingle and the way his eyes scanned her face as she handed him his receipt. "Enjoy the books."

Enrico stood frozen in his spot without any customers behind him. "So this is your new bookshop?" His eyes roamed. "Interesting."

She scoffed. "You're very observant, but yes. Some of us can achieve things in spite of our past. If you'll excuse me." Angie rushed away into the staff room at the back of the shop. Her face sweated and her breathing accelerated, the room stifling her. She couldn't stop shaking. Why did he have to come in here and ruin her day?