Chapter Seventeen #2
His Adam’s apple bobs. “Bells…” He inhales slowly before internally deciding something, blowing out the same breath and hooking his much larger pinky with mine. “Deal.”
He doesn’t sound as convincing as I’d like.
“So…” I pop my lips. “Are we good?”
He nods.
“No more buying me baked treats?”
His cheek twitches before he nods again.
He knows that a pinky promise is basically like ink on a contract. They’re important. Cemented. “Okay then.”
Jesse looks up at me and studies my face. It’s probably red and dotted with sweat. Definitely not my most attractive look.
I jab my thumb behind me. “I’m going to shower. I heard there’s a new documentary on the Titanic. We could watch that when you’re done if you aren’t too tired.”
I know he’s got to get up early tomorrow, but I figure it’s as much of a peace offering as a pinky promise. We haven’t spent time together lately, so this is me trying. Effort shows him I’ve truly forgiven him.
The next exhale he releases sounds lighter. “I would like that.”
I smile.
He smiles back.
Dobby strolls in and meows loudly, rubbing his body against my leg. I kneel and pick him up, instantly earning motor-like purrs that go straight to my heart. “Come on, buddy. Let’s let daddy work out on his own.”
The words are out before I can stop them, and I see Jesse freeze from the corner of my eye. Had I just referred to him as my cat’s dad? Yes. Yes, I had. I’d said it aloud.
Clearing my throat, I stroke Dobby’s back and give one last fleeting glance as Jesse before hightailing it out of there before I could accidentally say something else.
*
If I thought my nerves were bad before, they have nothing on the hour leading up to the meeting. I’ve been antsy since waking up, anxiously baking all morning, and writing down potential recipes for the bakery. If things get approved.
Why wouldn’t they? I know for a fact I filled everything out properly.
I even had Rae double check to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
She suggested a few things on a couple forms and went through a list of important items I’d need for the meeting.
Even she said I was prepared. But my gut is heavy, and my heart is heavier, and that’s never a good sign leading up to these kinds of things.
I glance at my watch one more time from where I sit in the car thirty minutes before I have to go inside. Planning board meetings only happen twice a month, so I can’t reschedule this just because Jesse isn’t here.
And that thought hits me square in the chest.
Jesse isn’t here.
He’s not supposed to have anything going on today. He’d said so weeks ago. But I know better than anybody how quickly plans can change. It’s fine. I’m fine.
Fifteen minutes later, I see people pull in, park, and start making their way inside.
Jesse isn’t one of them. I texted him twice already and they both delivered but weren’t read.
Maybe he’s driving? He never looks at his phone when he’s driving after losing his high school best friend, Kyle, that way. It’s a strict rule he has.
I send him one more, not bothering to call him because that seems a little too clingy.
Me: Are you on your way? They’re going to start soon
I bite down on my thumbnail as I watch the third message deliver. He doesn’t open that either. Releasing a sigh, I turn off my car and gather my belongings.
“You’re fine,” I tell myself, forcing a smile as I look at my reflection once more in the mirror to make sure none of the granola bar I stuffed in my face is stuck in my teeth.
Tucking my phone into my purse, I walk into the city building and offer shy smiles to a few of the people in line signing in.
I jot my name down, scan the list to see if Jesse somehow slipped past me, and hide the frown when his name is absent on the roster.
Then I grab an agenda, wince at how far down I am on the list of topics to be addressed tonight and find a seat in the middle.
Five minutes before it starts, I spot Rae taking a seat two rows over. She meets my eye and winks at me, and the familiar face eases the coiled nerves in my shoulders. She’s been helping me this whole time, so if I get push back then at least I’ll have an ally.
I check my phone one last time to see if I get a response from Jesse and swallow the heavy disappointment when the only notification is the calendar reminder plastered on my screen about tonight’s meeting.
He’d forgotten, and that’s okay. I can’t expect him to be at everything.
My attendance at games has definitely lessened over the years thanks to my business, and he’s always understood.
I just wish he would have let me know—tell me he’s sorry but that he’s running late doing whatever he’s doing.
The least he could have done is let me know he’s not in a ditch somewhere.
The city board members make their introductions and start the meeting, and I try calming my racing heart as they go over the general agenda.
It’s me and two other people presenting tonight—two short term rentals within the city limits, and my business proposition.
I wave when they ask if each of the presenters are present, earning a not-so-friendly look from an older woman with white hair.
I smile anyway, because killing people with kindness is easier than being mean.
But if anything, it makes her more irritated.
Okay then.
I’m proud of myself for not fidgeting while I listen to other city happenings, trying not to tune them out and to be present.
It’s hard when my mind mentally preps for the line of questioning.
The whole thing seems simple enough, and having the two other presenters ahead of me actually helps me get a feel for the atmosphere and line of questions.
The older woman scathing at me doesn’t ask anything to the two different men once they’re done, so the board accepts the paperwork and tells them what their next steps are before informing them they don’t have to stay for the remainder of the meeting.
When it’s my turn, I plaster a happy smile on my face and stand. “Hi, everyone. I’m Belle Thayer, and I’m here to talk about the bookstore café I’d like to open on Main Street.”
I get through my initial spiel and answer the first handful of questions asked by the board without issue. I pass them the paperwork, show them the blueprint sketches, and explain my background in business in hopes to make anyone cautious feel better about my experience.
Unfortunately, that seems to backfire on me.
The scathing white-haired woman stands when I ask if anybody has any questions. “Hi. My name is Karen Hardy. I own the jewelry store down the street. You may have noticed it? It’s called Hardy’s Jewelers.”
Her name would be Karen. Ugh. “I did,” I reply, even though I don’t want to offer her any satisfaction. Kill her with kindness. “You have beautiful merchandise on display.”
And she does. I’ve stopped at the window a time or two debating on going in.
I love supporting local businesses. There are only a few, including hers, I haven’t gone in yet.
And that’s mostly because I’ve worn the same necklace and bracelet for years—the ones that Jesse gave me for past birthday and Christmas presents—and I don’t have ear piercings.
Jewelry isn’t really my thing. Unless he gives it to me, apparently.
“I’m glad you brought up your previous experience in the industry, because I have some concerns,” Karen goes on, not thanking me for the compliment.
My smile doesn’t waver, but I feel my cheek twitch.
“I’ve done my research, and I saw that your last business, Belle’s Place, had to close due to safety concerns.
You had multiple incidents with customers getting robbed and assaulted outside, didn’t you? ”
This bitch. This bitch. I take a silent, deep breath and wet my lips. “No. I didn’t have to close Belle’s Place for that reason. I chose to close when I moved here. I did, however, have the misfortune of dealing with a few incidents. They were outside of my control.”
Karen makes a thoughtful noise. “How do we know that, though? It wouldn’t be fair to our city residents and customers if they were at risk.”