Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
ANABELLE
I tuck my skirt beneath me in the chair I’m sitting in and wipe my sweaty palms on my dress. Secretively, so the loan officer doesn’t notice. Because that would be gross.
He looks up from his monitor and stares at my hands.
Great. He noticed. He doesn’t comment, though. Instead, he types more on his computer.
I’ve given him every detail I can think of to get this loan so I can buy the antique mall. I deserve this. I’ve put my heart and soul into this business, and I’ve made sure he understood that. Because people have good hearts in this town. They want small businesses to thrive, right?
I got the idea to apply for the loan from Aubrey yesterday, so we sat down together and came up with a business plan I can present to the loan officer. I did all the research I could on how to put it together, and I couldn’t be more ready.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. It looks like you were denied.”
I ball my skirt up in my hands, probably wrinkling the fabric, so I walk out with a weird bunched up spot. It’ll match the sweat stains I’ve created on my shirt.
“Can you tell me why?” I dressed up and everything. Doesn’t that count for something?
“It looks like you don’t have enough profits coming in or enough cash reserves. And it’s not great that your current location has such low traffic.”
“I see. Well, thank you for your time.” I try to keep my voice steady, but it wobbles a bit.
I walk out with my head held high, and I even smile to Mrs. Bowen, Layla’s mom, who has worked here for as long as I can remember.
She’s as bad of a matchmaker as Aubrey’s mom, and the two women are besties.
She looks at me with sympathy in her eyes.
She must have overheard my loan denial. Great.
At least she can’t tell everyone about my situation. Confidentiality and all that jazz.
I grip the steering wheel as I drive home, and tears run down my face.
I’ve really failed this time. I ran off Lucas, and I have no way to pull my family out of the situation we’re in.
I may have to sell the shop and go back to school.
But I don’t know what I’d want to study or what career I’d want to have.
All my life I’ve wanted to run this store.
This loan was my opportunity to take my dream to the next level.
And now Lucas isn’t talking to me at all. He’s not responding to any of my texts. This day couldn’t get any worse.
When I approach my store, a crowd of people, both men and women, stand around the parking lot of the textile factory across the street.
Aubrey and her mom are parked in front of my shop where Eliza is covering for me.
When I pull up, Mrs. Wheaton opens her car door and opens her trunk.
“I heard from my friend Mary that there was a power outage at the textile factory, and no one can work. These poor people are probably thirsty in this heat,” she tells me as I climb from my car.
“I brought lemonade for them.” She pulls a table from the back of her minivan.
“You’ve come prepared,” I note.
“Yes, dear. We can’t let these people go thirsty.” She winks at me. “And you never know. It might drum up some business for your shop.”
Aubrey and I help set up the table with the lemonade. Mrs. Wheaton has thought of everything. Cups, napkins, and a large dispenser full of ice and lemonade.
“I have cookies I can donate to the cause,” I offer.
People are already beginning to come over for refreshments, so I go inside to get the cookies.
“I didn’t get the loan,” I tell Eliza after filling her in on what we’re doing outside.
Her eyes are full of pity. “I’m so sorry. Would it help if I worked fewer hours?”
“I can’t do that to you. I’ll figure out something. It’s nothing you need to worry about.” I head over to the cookies and gather some before returning to the hot April afternoon. There’s a decent-sized crowd surrounding the lemonade table now.
“Thank you for doing this,” one of the moms says. “I’ve never noticed this place before. I’ll have to go inside and check it out.”
“She has incredible candles,” Mrs. Wheaton pipes up. “Come with me, and I’ll show you my favorite.”
We all go inside to enjoy the air conditioning, and Mrs. Wheaton picks up the “Smoky Campfire” candle. “This one says summer nights roasting marshmallows.” It’s a good choice in this heat. People are probably thinking of camping already.
The customer buys the candle, which I can understand because it really is a good one.
Eliza and I are busy for the rest of the day as people flow in and out of the shop. And Aubrey and Mrs. Wheaton stay past when Nolan shows up after school, all the way until closing.
“Boss, come look at this,” Eliza says after Nolan goes outside to practice soccer.
I head over to the register. She has the screen with the sales for the day up. “This is better than we’ve done in the last week combined. We haven’t had a day like this since December.”
“I know.”
I grab my phone with the sudden urge to call Lucas with my success, but I set it down again. He probably wouldn’t answer anyway. I keep waiting for the day when Lucas drops the mentorship, and then we’ll truly have no reason to talk to each other.
I told Jeremy it was over between Lucas and me, and he backed off on pursuing legal action, thank goodness.
Mom and Mrs. Wheaton are comparing their favorite soaps, and Aubrey joins me and Eliza at the register.
“Have you heard from Lucas today?”
I shake my head. “I think he’s completely done with me now.” As I say it, the weight of my words sinks over me like a heavy fog.
“You think he’s ghosting you, but he could be busy preparing for the big game he has coming up,” Eliza points out.
“What about Nolan’s birthday party next weekend?” Aubrey asks. “Are you inviting him?”
I sigh. “I’m considering it.”
“Do you know why today was so awesome?” Eliza says, changing the subject. “People liked what they saw. You didn’t force anyone to buy anything. Don’t you see it? You have what it takes.”
“But they didn’t know about me before this because of my crummy location,” I say.
Nolan came back into the store from playing outside. “I can’t wait to show Lucas how great I’m doing on the moves he taught me! Do you think he can come over for dinner tonight so I can tell him?”
“I need to tell you something about Lucas.” I take his shoulders and lead him into the back storage room. “It’s probably best if Lucas doesn’t come over. He and I aren’t going to date.”
“But I thought you liked him.” His eyes are big and vulnerable, and it’s like I’m telling him all over again that his dad is moving away.
I hug him. “I’m so sorry. It just wasn’t working out.”
He pushes back to look at me, determination on his face. “Why not? Maybe you need to talk to him.”
His dad would love that. “I’m sorry, Nolan. I can’t.”
“Fine.” He crosses his arms. “If you won’t talk to him, then I will at my birthday party. He promised last week he’d be there. That way, he’ll have to talk to us both.”
I had no idea Nolan had already invited him. I should have known he would. That does complicate things. Nolan is a determined kid with a big heart.
Lucas seems to be his new favorite person. Because of me, Nolan might be losing another important male figure. Because I’m allowing Jeremy to control the situation. Again. But I don’t know how to stop him.
I’ve never felt so helpless.