Page 160 of High Reward

I’m sad that Lili isn’t here. I really hoped she would be, but I understand why she’s taking some time.

I touch up my lipstick, smooth my hands down the purple dress I’m wearing, and step out of the bathroom.

Then I drop my phone.

“Lili!”

She’s standing there in front of Victor with a tender smile on her face as she opens her arms.

“Come here, lover,” she whispers as I run toward her, not bothering to pick up the phone.

I wrap my arms around her, and lay my head on her shoulder. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Vic called and said you really wanted me here, so I got on a plane.”

“Are you staying?” I ask tentatively. Then I stop myself and look at her. “Sorry. You don’t have to answer that yet.”

Lili smiles and kisses my forehead. “I want to. Let’s leave it at that for now.”

That’s good enough for me.

“It’s time, sweetheart,” Victor says. “Are your employees ready to go?”

I nod. “Yes, Sir. We went over everything one more time before I came back here to breath.” I throw my arms around him after Lili lets me go. “Thank you so much for getting her here. It means so much to have both of you with me for this.”

I go into the store proper, and stand behind the table I’ve set up for being able to sign my own books. It feels a little self-indulgent to be signing my own books on opening day, but everyone insisted it was fine. I pick up the top copy of my book, and thumb through the pages one more time. It’s still so hard to believe that I wrote and published this, and I did it almost entirely on my own.

Lili stands in front of the table and waits for the door to be unlocked. As people stream in, and staff directs them to where they want to be, Lili picks up a book and then reaches into a small bag and pulls out a gift wrapped box. “I’d like your first signed copy please,” she tells me.

I start to pick up a pen from the table, but she stops me. “Open the gift first.”

I pull off the wrapping paper and open the small, rectangular box. Inside is a beautiful silver pen with delicate butterflies on the clip. I lift it out and read the inscription.

Your words = The Butterfly Effect

“Lili, it’s gorgeous,” I whisper.

“It felt appropriate.”

I twist the pen so the tip appears, and open it to the page I plan to sign. My eyes start to well with tears as I write a note to her then close it and hand it back. “Read it later,” I say, trying to keep my composure.

Lili seems to sense that I don’t want to fall apart, so she nods and steps out of the way.

For the next two hours, I sign books and chat with readers. Trinity and her team did such a wonderful job publicizing not only the bookstore, but the book I wrote and published. But I’m still shocked by the number of customers coming through the doors.

Everyone comments on how cozy and comfortable the shop is, and I couldn’t be happier. I’m really living my dream.

Before a catered buffet of finger foods arrives, I use the loudspeaker system to give a brief speech thanking everyone for coming, and then the conversation resumes.

Near the end of the shift, I’ve made three times what I projected to earn on day one, and I’m thrilled with the outcome.

There are only a handful of customers left in the shop when the door opens again, the bell above it tinkling to announce the arrival of another customer.

“I’ll be right with you,” I say as I finish ringing up a woman and her teenage daughter who just bought an entire series of spicy romance to read together.

“Take your time, Gracie. I’m not going anywhere until I get what I came for.”

The sound of the familiar voice sends a chill down my spine. I swallow and smile at the customer in front of me as I hand her the receipt.