“Michelle,” my dad said, walking into the room. I was sitting in my favorite spot, in front of the television. When I looked up at him, the first thing I noticed was his appearance. The skin under his eyes was dark, and his clothes were more rumpled than usual.

I immediately sat up in my seat. “Dad, are you okay?”

He took his tie off and sat down in his usual chair. “It’s been a long day with very few victories.”

“What do you mean?”

“Did your mother come by Between The Pages recently?”

I thought back to my second day on the job. It wasn’t that long ago, but already I felt like such a different person than I was then. “Yeah, she came in asking for me to move in with her and Daniel.”

He looked up at me with tired eyes. “Do you want to?”

“Not in a million years.” My answer earned a small smile from my father. “What’s going on?”

“Let’s just say things are complicated and I’m having a hard time keeping up. I've had to make some decisions I’m not too happy about.”

“Like what?”

My dad pressed his fingers to his temples. “I have to close Between The Pages.”

“What?” I jumped up in my seat.

“Oh, Princess, there’s no reason to oversell it,” he laughed. “I know you don’t like working there. This means you’ll get to have a little of your summer back.”

“But what about Rainier?” When my dad shot me a curious glance, I added, “and everyone else who works there.”

“I’m not happy about any of this. Trust me, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Does everyone else know?”

“I’m calling a company meeting this week to tell everyone.”

“I hate her," I said, thinking of my mother. "She ruins everything.”

“Michelle, you’ve been working there for a couple of weeks now. Surely even you can see that business isn’t thriving.”

“But it’s not failing either.”

“You don’t know what it takes to keep a business profitable. Sure, people are coming in and buying stuff, but I barely break even. I’ve kept it for sentimental reasons, but I just can’t do it anymore.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, even though I knew my dad wasn’t one to make hasty moves.

In everything, he weighed the pros and cons. Even with my mom, he wanted to try to make things work instead of rushing toward a divorce.

He nodded. “This is how it has to be.”

My dad managed to call an employee meeting sooner than I thought possible. Two days after he broke the news to me, we all met at a local coffee shop called Beans & Things early in the morning before the bookstore opened.

The place had a secret garden feel with potted plants hanging in the windows and wrought iron tables and chairs scattered around the dining area. I used to love going there before I bumped into my ex and his new girlfriend when I was grabbing a latte this past winter.

Things were not friendly between us and the milk from my drink had instantly soured in my stomach after seeing the two of them. I couldn’t drink the lattes there anymore. Plus, I didn’t want to risk seeing them again. So I never went anymore.

Until that morning.

I didn’t have to go to the meeting since my dad had already broken the news to me, but I wanted to show my support. Not that there were many employees at Between The Pages. Other than Jenny, Rainier, and me, there were only two other people who worked there.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’m calling a store meeting when we’re so far away from the holiday season,” my dad said to the group once he’d bought drinks for everyone. “It’s with a sorrowful heart that I announce the closing of Between The Pages. This store has been one of my favorite ventures and will always hold a special place in my heart. I am thankful for every one of you, but please consider this your two-week notice. I will happily give you all stellar recommendations on any applications you may fill out for future employment.”

My dad hadn’t finished speaking before the whispers started. Jenny and Rainier’s heads immediately went together, and I felt like a third wheel. I didn’t want to be jealous. Jealousy had only hurt my relationships in the past. But I also hated the history the two of them had.

“This is perfect,” I heard Jenny say, while I pretended not to listen.

“How exactly is this perfect?”

“It’s just the push Rainier and the Go-Aways needed.” Her smile was wild as she spoke the words..

“Jenny, I need the money from work. Besides, Cooper will be rejoining the band soon.”

“No, he won’t.”

“What do you mean?” I blurted.

I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Jenny looked at me out of the corner of her eyes. We hadn’t spoken since the run in at the show in which Rainier had taken charge and led the band. There had been comradery between the two of us before then. Now, the look in her eyes was unkind. Superior?

“I was talking to Matt and he said that Cooper probably won't come back. Same with Owen.”

“When did you talk to Matt?” Rainier asked, bringing her attention back to him.

“The day after your big show.”

“Why were you talking to him?”

“I told him all about our idea.”

I wanted to know what she meant by that, and a quick glance at Rainier said he was thinking the same thing.

“You know,” Jenny started, her voice sweet. “For me to join the band and play the violin.”

What?

My dad rested his arm on my shoulder pulling me from their conversation just as Rainier was responding. I wanted to hear what he said, but I turned around and looked at my dad who was motioning for me to get up and follow him.

“How do they seem to be taking it?” he asked, once we were a short distance away from the table.

“Good. I guess it’s just the kick Rainier and his band needed to take it to the next level.”

“The one that had you smiling the other day?”

“That very one.”

“Good for them. My buddy, Norm, owns a place in Boise. A lot of popular local bands play there. Maybe I can ask him to give them a listen and call it a severance package,” he said with a smile.

I thought of Jenny and how she said she was joining the band. The competitive part of me wanted to tell my dad not to go through all that trouble. I didn't want him to do her any favors. However, the thought of Rainier needing the money made me think twice.

“Would it be a paying gig?”

“If he likes them, yeah. I know he pays the people who play there nicely. Live music brings more people into his bar.”

“Can you call him right now?”

“Calm down, Princess. It’s still early and he probably won’t be up for another hour. I’ll make sure he gives them a fair shot.”

“Thanks, dad,” I said, lifting up on my tiptoes and hugging him. “You’re the best.”

He chuckled. “Not too long ago, I was ruining your life. If I knew a phone call to Norm was all it took, I would have done it before asking you to come work for me.”

“You didn’t exactly ask me to come work for you.”

“I didn’t, but I also don’t regret it.”

“Me neither,” I said, surprising myself. “But what now?”

“I think you’ve earned yourself a summer off.”

“Just like that?”

“Once you finish your last couple of shifts. But yeah, just like that.”

It should have been great news, but it meant I would have to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my summer. My priorities had shifted in the last few weeks, which meant I would have some planning to do.