(raleigh)

It's actually turned out to be quite a nice afternoon.

Joel's parents have gone to the Lodge for the day and he's not sure their plans, but it had been clear from the start that they hadn't wanted any company, so Charlotte is in Crossroads with him for the day, though she's not exactly being what he'd call helpful. It's not necessary, really, the store isn't particularly busy and whenever someone does want to buy something, she at least has the decency to look up from her own book to ring them through the register so that Joel doesn't have to stop shelving the new inventory he'd received that morning.

It's quiet and warm in the store. Charlotte has propped the door open, which he would normally hate, but the heat of the day isn't stifling and it makes the store look a little more welcoming, which is what he knows he has to do if he wants to keep the business running. Spencer is at work, but has texted to let Joel know he'll be by as soon as he's done and it leaves him with a warmth in his chest that settles in and doesn't leave.

It's a good day, he thinks, pausing to clean his glasses before he pushes them back up his nose, scanning the inventory list in his hand.