Chapter 5

Dan looked back down at his box of books and frowned. He’d never get rid of sixteen copies of Dubliners. The box was dropped to the floor with a dejected sigh.

“Nothing good, huh?”

Dan looked up, startled. Troy stood in front of his desk with one eyebrow raised in amusement.

“Nope,” he confirmed. “Just the rejects from an English classroom. No idea what to do with them.”

“Maybe you need a break?” Troy suggested. “I’ve been eyeing up those pastries all morning.”

He nodded toward the coffee corner, where a clear-covered platter sat on the end of the counter. One of Dan’s cousins had started experimenting with baking, and had asked that the shop test out her recipes to see what would sell. Today’s offerings were mantecadaswrapped in red paper, and sweet empanadas

“Sure,” Dan replied. He stood up and rolled his shoulders, then headed toward the coffee corner.