Gloria looked out over the area she had set up for the signing. It was going to be the largest public event they had ever held in the bookstore. It might even be bigger than the largest private event.
She smiled to herself thinking about that day. It wouldn’t have been for everyone, and a lot of people probably thought it was corny, but it had been perfect.
Instead of flower arrangements there had been books with flowers in the title lining the aisle. There was a place of honor near the front for the first book she had ever recommended to Jade and the first book they read together. Adele had performed the ceremony while their friends and family looked on. And at the reception everyone had left a book recommendation or quote for the newlyweds.
The day had been perfect.
But it would have been perfect no matter where it had been held or what the decorations were.
“What are you grinning about?”
Gloria turned and smiled ever wider, “Thinking about the last big event we held here. It was really a great day.”
“Just the start of them, right?” Jade wrapped an arm around Gloria’s waist, “I love you and I’d love to reminisce all day, but we’ve got to get a move on if we are going to be ready on time.”
“You’re right. What else do we need?”
As they paused to look around the store the phone started to ring.
“I guess we need to start with the phone!”
“Books on Main, how can I help you?”
“Hello! Hello! I hope I’m not too late to wish you good luck today!”
“Adele! Hi! No, not at all. We are setting up right now, but the main event doesn’t start for a while. Just getting the book table set up and trying to figure out if we’ve forgotten anything. Did you happen to leave a check list anywhere?”
“Ha! Oh, you know better than that. Each event is a little different and in all the years I owned the place we never did a signing as big as this one will be. You got the exclusive for one of the presumed bestsellers of the year. I mean, that’s incredible!”
“Well…”
“You still got it. That’s what matters. Since you will have the store open for regular business as well the biggest challenge is going to be your queue. Think about how you want it to wrap so people aren’t blocking the rest of the store. But also try and get the line to go past some shelves of related books, you never know how many extras you’ll sell.”
“Brilliant as always. Thank you.”
“You’d have thought of it too. Trust me, your instincts are good, and all of the years of experience working with the world’s greatest bookseller has prepared you.”
“You drinking out of that mug right now?”
“I am. I’m thinking about taking it into the local pottery shop and adding the word Retired.”
“Consulting. Not retired. You promised us you’d stay a consultant when you sold us the place.”
“I did, and I have consulted today and earned my title. One last piece don’t forget to have fun and to soak in the moment. Signings are big days for you and even more so for the authors. This is their dream coming true. And you get to watch it. It will fill your tank for those days when the books aren’t selling, or the shipment is late, or the tax bill is due.”
“Thank you. I will try my best to relax into the event once it starts.”
“Love you girls, I’ll check in tomorrow to see how it went!”
“Love you too, thanks for calling.”
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