The Beacon Street Bookshop by Carla Laureano

Author:Carla Laureano
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Laureano Creative Media LLC
Published: 2023-08-08T00:00:00+00:00

Liv could hand it to herself: she might not be able to shut off her feelings like a switch, but she had absolutely no problem distracting herself by burying herself in work.

Or rather, a dry book on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles she’d overnighted as soon as she realized she could no longer ask for Will’s help. Even with a mug of coffee within reach, she couldn’t make it more than five pages without her eyes drifting closed.

When Charlie knocked on Liv’s door later that night, she practically ran for the door. She ushered him into the kitchen, where he laid a sheet of paper out between them. “This is what I have so far. Keep in mind this is just a rough estimate.”

Liv’s eyebrows flew up. It was not an insignificant amount of money, but it was still less than she’d feared. “Is this labor estimate accurate?”

He nodded. “Since this is going to be a nonprofit and you’re crowdfunding it, I thought it made more sense to pay you rent directly than deduct it from the project. Assuming you’re still okay with me living here.”

Liv didn’t look at him, even though the knowledge that he’d still be staying on her property prickled the back of her neck like an impending lightning strike. “Of course. You’re welcome to rent the place for as long as you’d like.”

“The good news is that neither the county nor the town of Haven Ridge requires a contractor’s license to do the work. Which means that unless we find unexpected plumbing or electrical problems, which would require a license, we’re clear to begin.”

“Wow. Okay. So we’re really doing this.”

“We’re really doing this. We can get started just as soon as your kitchen is done.”

“Good. I should get to work on the crowdfunding appeal, now that I know how much we need to raise.”

“Happy to help,” he said, straightening beside her. “I’ll see you on Tuesday morning then, if not before.”

“Great, thanks.” Liv walked him to the door, feeling the whole time that she should be asking him if he wanted a cup of tea, if he wanted to stay and chat for a while. After all, he had become more than her contractor or tenant at this point, particularly after he’d cooked them dinner. But she wasn’t entirely sure that she could call him a friend.

She wasn’t entirely sure if she wanted to put that label on him in case it stuck.

“See you later,” she said lamely as he stepped out onto the porch. She shut the door behind him and sagged back against it. What was she doing here? It was like she was constantly making resolutions about Charlie and then immediately breaking them the minute he was near. She banged her head against the solid wood a couple of times.

“Liv?” came Charlie’s voice from outside. “Are you okay?”

“Uh fine!” she called back through the door. “Just bumped into something.” She scurried out of the entryway, cursing her own awkwardness. Work. She needed to focus on work.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.