Page 17 of Can We Skip to the Good Part?

SEVEN

The Pact

S omething important was happening at Doug’s Books.

Ella peered through her windshield at the line that drifted from inside the shop, out the door, and down the sidewalk.

She’d stopped by to pick up copies of the book club’s next two selections and drop off a newly designed flyer for her services.

Doug had made it clear that the corkboard was a free-for-all.

She’d illustrated the page and brought it to life on her tablet, opting for a bookish and fun aesthetic rather than a corporate and symmetrical one.

Maybe she’d tap into her creative juices a bit more and search out avenues that could ignite her passion for art once again.

Even just making the flyer had made her feel more like herself than she had in, well, years.

Corporate work paid the bills, but what if there was a way to do that with work she actually loved?

She excused her way around the line, made up of mostly women, until she found enough space to make her way up to the front desk.

“Got your books,” Doug said over the top of his readers and reached beneath the counter, producing the two brightly colored romance novels with the cute little couples on the front.

“Thanks. What’s going on today?”

“Alexandra Raymond is here for a signing. My sister, Polly, knows her mom, Ruth Anne, so I managed to secure a date on her schedule. Like getting tickets to the Eras tour.”

“Oh, wow, Doug.” She swiveled to him, hand on hip. “You’re up on your pop culture.”

“The Swifties are big readers. I have to know my clients. Plus, Midnights is an intellectually advanced album.”

“You continue to surprise me, D-Man.”

“Well, don’t get a big head about it,” he said with a sour look on his face.

“And I don’t like that nickname, either.

” The whole exchange was so very Doug that she gave herself a celebratory squeeze, as a throng of happy women snuck by her clutching books.

She surveyed the buzzing scene, impressed at how many people they’d managed to squeeze into the store, including two women in business suits who seemed to be in charge of the line and the signing rules.

Of course, the secret service of the publishing world.

Ella was intrigued and a little jealous of the people in line.

“Maybe I should grab a book and have it signed.” Honestly, her newfound love of romance novels had been her lifeline lately.

Whenever her own life had her stressed, she picked up one of the book club selections and let herself drift into the land of happy people kissing.

Doug reached behind the counter and produced a copy of the book on the poster.

“A scientist and a barista fall in love. At least, that’s what I’m told. ”

“Not a romance reader, Doug?”

“I read what I want to read.” He waved her off, his grumpy cheeks colored pink. After he’d rung her up, Ella, once again, scooted past the impressive line to the community corkboard and tacked up her flyer.

“I love the colors you used here.”

Ella turned to see a put-together woman peering over her shoulder at the flyer.

“Thank you. I’m a graphic designer looking to pick up a little work,” she said, remembering to market herself. “If you have any projects, let me know. Tell all your friends.” She offered a laugh to let the woman know she was half joking.

“Do you have a card? I’m always looking for new cover artists.”

“Oh,” Ella said, her ears perking up.

“And it looks like you illustrate,” she said, taking in the details.

“I do. Yes. Let me just …” She reached into her bag and shuffled through its chaos until she located her business card case. “Here we go.” She handed the woman her card. “That’s me. Ella Baker and all my info. I welcome commissioned work and have a portfolio online.”

“Any cover work I can take a look at?”

“Um, book covers?” She’d never designed one of those in her life. “If you give me a few days, I’ll get some samples up on the site.” Ella’s adrenaline was already firing. “So, do you work for Ms. Raymond?” Ella turned to the massive line.

“I am her. Alexandra. So, I guess you could say I work for myself. Nice to meet you,” she grinned and consulted the card, “Ella. I’ll check out your work and have my assistant reach out if it seems like we might be a good match.”

“That would be wonderful. Yes. Please do.”

“Have a nice afternoon.”

“Have a nice signing.” Ella watched in mystification as Alexandra took her spot in the signing chair and grinned at the woman clutching three of her novels like precious children.

And while it would have been nice to have her book signed, Ella couldn’t imagine losing an hour in line when all she wanted to do in this world was seize the fire that had been lit beneath her and get to work on some sample covers.

“Gotta go,” she called to Doug as she dashed off, waving goodbye to him with her books. “I’ll be in next week to talk about your social media.”

“I don’t have any,” he called back.

“Exactly!”

When Ella arrived back at Rachel’s place, she sat down in front of her laptop and didn’t move for three hours, only giving in at that point for the restroom.

By midnight that night, she had drafts for four different covers of varying themes, all romance.

After a few hours of sleep, she went right back to work on them, in a groove and committed to perfecting each design.

Within the week, she’d had very little sleep, meals on the fly, but she’d done it.

The drafts were now complete. She had four pre-made covers, a business concept, and a basic website ready to go.

She could continue to enhance her aesthetic and commit to branding as she moved forward, but for now, she was on her feet and taking life by the throat.

Fire me, and I’ll just build my own graphic design empire .

Pretty sure no one will forget about me then, she thought with a smile.

It had been a whirlwind, but Ella knew she was onto something here.

Everything just felt right about this venture.

Plus, all signs were pointing her in this very specific direction.

Doug’s Books. The book club. The encounter at Doug’s Books.

And the way she felt satisfied and fulfilled in this whole new way.

She was onto something pretty cool and allowed herself the grace to acknowledge and celebrate that.

Cover Crush Studios was born. She added the pre-made cover designs to her webpage, hit publish, and sat back in the desk chair Rachel had insisted she steal.

“I barely ever work when I’m at home,” she’d said, wheeling the white leather chair into Ella’s room.

“You’re the one who goes hard on her iPad lately. ”

It had felt nice to be supported. “Well, I will certainly put it to good use.” She sat in it and grinned at how ridiculously comfortable it was. “I’m now a graphic design princess. You’re a gem, Rach.”

Rachel tossed a strand of her hair and said, “You noticed,” before heading for the door. “Now turn out some amazing covers. The public demands it.”

“All right, all right, demanding public. Calm down.” But the cheerleading only bolstered her, and she dove in with a grin.

So, the plan was, Ella would work up a social media campaign once she’d had a chance to rest and maybe eat a giant bowl of spaghetti and meatballs while watching Sleepless in Seattle because, apparently, she was a romantic now. Good for business, too.

After a late client session at the office that had her brain swirling like a blender, Max pulled into Stevie’s driveway for Read It and Weep later than she usually preferred.

The sun was already down, and the temperatures were firmly on the side of frigid.

She stood next to her car and pulled in a deep inhale, the cold burning her lungs and waking her up.

All the usual suspects were inside, judging by the car lineup.

Ella’s red Mini Countryman was second in the driveway.

She paused to stare at it, giving herself a pep talk before going inside.

It was best that she give Ella her space.

After what she’d learned at the grocery store, it was likely Max’s entire character had been handed to Ella on an unreliable platter.

She could spend her life correcting it all, or move forward, focusing on the friends who actually liked her. Life was too short, after all.

Max let herself in to the sounds of laughter from the living room, and Ariana regaling the group with details of her latest setup. Just as she expected, she’d missed a good portion of the gossip that always seemed to happen before they got into the book talk.

“What have I missed?” she asked as she entered the room.

Morgan hopped in her seat like a kid with the answer. “Instead of a goodnight kiss, Ari’s date asked her if she liked feet photos.”

“Stop.” Max laughed and stole a glance at Ella in her customary chair to the left of Max’s empty one. “And what did you say?”

“I politely declined her offer to send some nude toe pics my way. I think she was hoping I’d offer the same.” She met Max’s gaze solemnly. “I’m afraid I let her down.”

“Only you, Ari.”

“I once had a guy massage my scalp in his car after dinner,” Ella said. “We’d known each other for under two hours.”

Stevie leaned forward. “Now, that doesn’t sound half bad. There’s a lot I’d do for a scalp massage.” She added a bark of laughter, which made Max smile. “Ella, you seem sweet enough to attract some weirdos.”

Ella scrunched one eye closed. “Is that code for pushover?”

“She’s hardly that,” Max said gently, taking a seat.

“Thank you,” Ella said back quietly.

“Rough day at the office, M?” Olive asked with sympathetic eyes. “You look a little stressed.”

“Not a single person offered to massage my scalp.” She relaxed into a smile, attempting to let the day fall off of her. “Sorry,” she said quietly to Ella, who nodded once.