Chapter Twenty-Six #2
Putting one hand on my arm, she gently moves me aside to face off with Karen.
“He’s too nice to say it, but I will. You’ve been a real bitch lately, Karen.
You’ve isolated yourself from the local business bureau group by trying to get them to gang up on this bookstore.
I’m not sure what your problem is with new businesses coming into the area, and frankly, I don’t care.
Let’s talk about yours. I’ve let you give me rent late more times than I can count, which tells me your business isn’t doing as well as you let on.
I know better than most that cost of living is expensive, which makes it hard for people to shop for things as nice as you have to sell.
I’ve been understanding for years, but we both know that my generosity can only last so long before I decide to stop being understanding.
I’ve never raised your rent despite the changing times.
I’ve never threatened to kick you out of your space.
When Jeremy got sick, I even waived a few months of your rent so you could handle the medical bills instead. ”
Karen goes pale, standing a little straighter.
But she doesn’t say a word as Rae stares her down.
“If you think any of your behavior is okay, you need to reevaluate yourself. Getting your little groupies to try persuading the code enforcement office to pause Belle’s permit is a new low even for you.
You have no right determining if somebody else has worked as hard as you or deserves what they have.
That’s between them and the man upstairs. ”
Finally, Karen finds her words. “Do you even know who you’re defending?
Your new renter has been—Is having—” She’s flustered as she turns those daggers on me.
“She’s involved with her own stepbrother.
And don’t get me started on the reports of her last business.
Do you really want somebody like that to be in our space? ”
Rae rolls her eyes. “And Jeremy is your second cousin. Oh, don’t look at me like that. The whole town knows you chased that boy your whole life until he caved. At least these two aren’t blood related.”
I do my best not to gape at either woman, although I make a mental note to tell Belle this new information. She may not stoop to Karen’s level, but that doesn’t mean she won’t get enjoyment out of the gossip.
Karen gasps but doesn’t say anything. Maybe she can’t. It looks like she’s having some sort of episode and I’m not sure if I should be concerned and call 911 or let her figure it out herself.
Rae doesn’t seem worried, so I remain silent beside her.
“What I’m telling you,” Rae says slowly, “is that I will not have you acting like your opinion represents the heart of this community. It doesn’t.
You own one store, and you’re lucky to still be open.
If I were anybody else, I’d have you out of here and two more people like Belle taking over the space. ”
Karen’s face turns red. “I cannot believe you’d say that to me after all these years.”
“I’ve put up with your drama for far too long, and I’m sick of it. A lot of us are, Karen. So stop complaining. The bookstore is going in and it won’t have any negative impact on you or any other store here. Quit spreading rumors and put that energy into making more money. You need it.”
Rae pats my arm and gestures for me to say what I need to say. It’s hard to follow that up. When I called Rae, I had no idea she was going unleash anything on Karen. I’d just hoped she’d have my back if I needed her. I respect her ten times more now for doing it.
“Look,” I begin, clearing my throat. “We don’t want any bad feelings with anybody here.
In fact, we’re hoping to help everybody.
It’s not new news that my team brings in a lot more tourism to the town, especially during the season.
I already mentioned that the fans who come to see games provide more customers to boost the local economy.
And when we open the store, we want to work with everybody to provide more opportunities to support one another.
If you’re interested, we have an idea that would bring our customers to you and the others.
But we won’t beg you to participate. It’s up to you. ”
It seems pretty obvious that she isn’t interested, but based on the way Rae stares at her she isn’t going to fight me. “What exactly are you thinking?”
The words are mumbled, like she has to force them out and it kills her to do so. But I give her my best smile, ignoring the unimpressed stare, and tell her what Belle came up with.
She doesn’t agree right away, but she does say she’ll think about it. And I know that’s as good as it’ll get for now.
On my way out the door, I side eye the ring section and one particular ring that screams Belle. Rae catches me staring, grins, and shoots me a wink that I pretend not to see as I hold the door open for her to exit.
As we walk down the street, I ask, “Did she really marry her cousin?”
Rae laughs. “Oh, yes. It was quite the scandal way back when they first announced their engagement. Dated for only a few short months before he got her a ring. Woman acts like he was the only one for her since they were eighteen. But we love who we love, right?”
I know that feeling all too well. “Right.”
Rae nudges me with her elbow. “Anytime you or Belle need me to ruff up the locals, let me know. I own more than one building, so I have more authority than they do. They just like to forget that.”
I can’t help but chuckle. “Will do, Rae.”
We stop in front the storefront still covered in newspapers so people can’t peak inside. “What did you decide for the name? Belle said she was going between options but hadn’t chosen yet.”
I crack a smile, can’t help feeling amused by the choice that I’m not sure Rae will understand because it seems like an inside joke. “It’s called the Romance Cottage. The sign should be arriving any day.”
Rae’s brows go up. “She named it after that sexy hockey show, didn’t she?”
My brows pinch. “How did you—”
“I’m old, son. Not dead.” She grins again before walking down the street.
Belle looks up from the blueprints, now alone in the store, when I walk in. “Hi. How did it go?”
Instead of answering her, I say, “Rae knows about Heated Rivalry.”
She snorts. “Who doesn’t?”
I shake my head and walk over to her. “Are you going to convince me to get the guys here for opening day and take inappropriate pictures?”
“I didn’t think of that, but now that you mention it…”
I lean down and brush a kiss against her mouth. “I’m pretty sure you could ask them anything and they’d agree as long as you bake them their favorite food in payment.”
She laughs because she knows I’m right.
“Hey, Jesse?”
I hum against her lips.
“I love you.”
I’ve been screamed that from random people at games or when I’m out to eat, or with friends at bars. I’ve heard them spoken from my father, and once upon a time my mother. It isn’t like I’m foreign to the concept of love.
But hearing it from Belle?
Nothing will ever compare to it.
“Oh, and…” She bites her lip. “I found a stray dog. Before you say no, she’s so cute!”
I sigh. “Belle…”
“If you’re retiring, we’ll have more time for pets. And they say it’s good to start with animals before you have kids.” She grabs ahold of my hand and gives me those damn eyes.
Dammit. “What kind of dog?”
“She’s a lab mix, and I think it would be so cute to call her Hazel because she’s brown!”
I already know before I have a chance to think about it that we now have a dog to go with our one-and-a-half-eared cat.
“You’re lucky I love you,” I grumble.
She kisses my cheek. “I know.”