Epilogue
LYRIC
It was go time.
Nerves skittered up my spine as I opened the doors to A Place for All.
March had shown up and shown out for us with clear skies and a beautiful 47o. The parking lot was full, and people were actually lined up to get in.
Jensen came up behind me and wrapped an arm around me. “Will you look at that?”
“I can’t believe it.”
“I can. You worked hard for this. Now let these people in so they can buy all the things.”
I laughed. “Welcome to A Place for All. We’re so happy you’re here.” I reached up for the catch to keep the door open.
Jensen could get it easier. He flicked it over until it locked, leaving the doors wide open on either side.
My sister hopped up the walkway. “You know I had to be the first one inside.” She gave me a hug and smacked Jensen in the midsection before she sailed past. “Hey, jerk.”
“Think she’ll forgive me someday?”
“Probably. You just need to figure out how to perfect her protein pancakes. The ones she made for me the other day were like lead.”
He laughed. “You got it.”
We said our hellos to the first fifty people who came through, but the crowd just didn’t seem to stop. Tatum was in the crowd of people doing raffles with a very unhappy Nolan.
I laughed and slipped back inside. There were people browsing at every table. Phones were out taking photos or video. Tatum, ever the marketing guru, had added a secondary giveaway with a hashtag for all the social media sites.
I didn’t know how she did it, but I was thankful for her every day.
I wasn’t sure I could have gotten this done without all the people that had helped me, including Jensen.
For the first three hours, all of us were run ragged.
Between the giveaways and the interviews, there wasn’t time to take a breath. Sheba was winding her way around the people in the crowd. Surprisingly, I hadn’t had a panic attack all morning.
The night before had been a little touch and go, but Jensen had been with me, as well as my favorite furry shadow.
I glanced around the room and found him talking to a reporter. His hands were linked behind his back, and I could see the panic rising. I threaded through the crowd of people, my face hurting from smiling at everyone.
So many people had shown up from town, and some strangers I’d never seen before. I wasn’t sure if they were Cove-ites or if word had gotten around to other towns about our special marketplace.
Finally, I reached Jensen’s side and slipped my arm around his. “How’s it going over here?”
The reporter was freshly made up and camera ready, but there wasn’t a camera in sight. She glanced down at how I held onto him, and she took a step back. “I think I’ve gotten all I need here.”
“Thank you so much for coming in to see us. We really appreciate that the local station wanted to cover us.”
She smiled, though I was pretty sure her teeth should have been sharp, instead. “We want to support any new businesses in the region.” The shark edge softened as she looked around. “I wish this had been around when I’d been Christmas shopping.”
“We’ll be here for that season too. We have a lot of plans for the future here.”
Jensen laced his fingers with mine. “Many, many things to plan for the future.” His dark eyes met mine and my heart sped up.
“Well, I’m going to go spend the bonus I just received. It’s burning a hole in my wallet.”
I laughed. “Our vendors will make sure to help you.” I nodded to Nico. “Tipsy Glaze will be worth a look.”
She glanced over at the table and the very attractive Nico Rossi. “I think I just might.” She zipped right over to the table with that very scary smile. Nico seemed to be into it, though.
“Thank you. She was a little scary.”
“I think she wanted to eat you alive.”
“I’m very taken. She was annoyed that I kept talking about you.”
“Is that so?”
“Every second.” He grinned down at me. “Think we can get away for a moment?”
“Second office?”
“Second office,” he agreed, leading me through the crowd.
It took us a few tries to get away from customers asking for help, but finally, we scooted through the door and collapsed against it with a laugh.
“I didn’t think I’d get near you since the doors opened.” He moved to face me, caging me against the door. “I’ve been dying to do this.”
I smiled up at him, and into the kiss. “Me too.”
I breathed in his bonfire scent, the warmth that I could always depend on.
“We did it,” I said against his mouth.
“We did. Everyone loves this place, Lyric. You made something really special here. I’m just glad I got to be a little part of it.”
“A big part.” I pressed a hand to his chest. “You made it all come alive with your illustrations. You helped create the space and made sure it would grow.”
“I guess I helped a few things grow,” he said with a grin.
“Somehow I don’t think you’re talking about the baby.”
“Of course, I’m talking about our little music note.”
“Sure, you are.” I laughed and then locked the door. “Show me.”