Chapter 24 #3
For a few minutes, Jill was completely surrounded by well-wishers and friends who didn’t stop hugging her.
Audrey caught a glimpse of her face through the crowd a few times, and was happy to see that Jill seemed to be crying tears of joy.
Elaine and Michelle went off to get themselves slices of lemon meringue pie, and Evan made his way over to Audrey and gave her an enormous hug.
“I hope you’re not too disappointed,” he said, stroking her hair back from her face. “Part of me wanted to tell you before tonight that we’d voted for Jill, but I know it wouldn’t have been right.”
She shook her head, smiling. “I knew before you announced it because of how carefully you worded your speech.” She laughed.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. I definitely think you made the right choice.
Not only because Jill is obviously so well-deserving but also because I think it’s important that you proved to everyone that you weren’t going to judge the contest unfairly for our sakes. ”
He nodded. “You know, you can always enter another competition like this again sometime in the future. One of the main reasons why we didn’t pick The Birchwood House is because we just didn’t have enough data on you as a business.
Since you haven’t officially opened your doors yet, it was hard for us to compare your professionalism to that of other people.
Once that’s no longer the case, who knows? ” He smiled at her and winked.
Audrey chuckled. “I like the idea of entering another contest sometime in the future. For now, though, I’m totally content.
Entering this contest gave us a lot of traction on social media, and we’re about to open the hotel.
I think we’re totally ready and I’ve so enjoyed working with my mom and Michelle on this.
Even though we didn’t win the contest, this still feels like a happy ending to me. ”
“I’m just sorry Jill was the one who had to make that snarky comment in her speech.” Evan shook his head, looking disappointed. “That was uncalled for.”
“It’s also in the past,” Audrey said gently. She took his hand and started to tug him toward Jill. “Come on,” she told him. “I want to congratulate her.”
He squeezed her hand as they wove their way through the crowd. The group surrounding Jill had thinned out by then, and Audrey could see Jill noticing them approaching. The pet store owner blinked and shuffled her feet, and Audrey guessed that she felt badly about what she’d said in her speech.
“Hi, Jill,” she said, as they reached Jill’s side.
She kept her hand snugly inside Evan’s, and she was glad that she no longer had to worry about people speculating about her because of her and Evan’s relationship.
She felt prouder than ever to be dating a man who behaved honorably even in the little things.
“Um, hi,” Jill smiled tentatively. “Sorry you didn’t win.”
“Oh, don’t be sorry,” Audrey assured her hastily. “We’re here to congratulate you. You really deserved to win, and we’re happy for you.”
Michelle and Elaine hurried across the crowd toward them.
“Jill!” Michelle said, impulsively hugging the other woman. “Congratulations!”
“Uh, thank you.” Jill laughed, and some of the awkwardness that had seemed to be hovering in the air dissipated.
“Congratulations,” Elaine said, shaking Jill’s hand warmly. “I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about your store.”
Audrey knew her mother hadn’t meant to hint that less than wonderful things had been said about The Birchwood House because of Jill, but Jill’s expression became slightly pained.
“I’m sorry I—well, I know there were those rumors and I think I might have started them,” Jill said, looking distressed.
“I guess—well, I’ve been so overtired and it makes me too bristly sometimes.
I was too quick to assume something unfair would happen to me, and I got scared.
From now on, I’ll think more before I speak.
And I’ll make sure everyone who comes into Whiskers and Wags knows what a great place The Birchwood House is. ”
“You’re all good,” Audrey said, meaning it sincerely.
She had a feeling that she herself would feel stretched-thin and too quick to be on the defensive if it weren’t for her mother and daughter’s support.
“And we’ll be sure to keep a flyer advertising Whiskers and Wags on our bulletin board at the hotel. ”
A photographer approached, asking if she could steal both Jill and Evan for a photoshoot involving the winner and the judges of the contest. Evan gave Audrey a quick kiss and Jill smiled warmly at the Sutton women before both of them walked away with the photographer.
“All’s well that ends well,” Elaine said with a happy sigh, putting her arms around Audrey and Michelle. “I think we’re going to be good friends with Jill from now on.”
“I think so too,” Michelle said. “And I don’t mind that we didn’t win. We’ve worked really hard, and we’ve got an incredible hotel that we’re ready to open.”
Audrey shuffled the three of them into a group hug and squeezed her mother and daughter tightly. “It’s been such a wonderful journey so far and I’m so excited to continue it with the both of you.”
“I second that,” Elaine said, kissing Audrey’s forehead and then Michelle’s. “Now that the contest is over, the next thing we have to look forward to is our grand opening!”