Chapter 8 #2
He looked at it for a few seconds, then handed it back to her. "These are good renderings. You should frame them and put them on the walls when it's done."
"You think so?" Belle asked, excitement creeping into her voice.
"They're good," he said simply, as if it cost him to say that much.
There was something between these two. The tension was thick enough that it made me uncomfortable. I concentrated on placing the panties and bras just so on the table.
Maverick waited for Belle to put on her coat, and then they went outside, probably to discuss the design.
A few minutes later, they returned through the side door.
"I thought we could cover it to block the sun, and maybe we could have the ability to close it off during the winter.
The cold season is so long here; it would give us more time to enjoy the space. "
"It raises the cost considerably."
Belle's forehead creased. "Can you do the estimate with both options, and then I can talked to Eve about the options?”
Maverick edged toward the door. "You're the boss." Then his gaze snagged on my table. "You're selling"—he moved closer—"panties?"
Belle nodded. "Angela's shop was flooded recently so I offered her a table to sell her wares."
"Hmm."
"I'm really grateful to Belle for offering me space. It's tough being closed the week of Christmas." I wondered if he'd say something about Belle, but his lips pressed into a straight line.
"I'll be in touch with the estimate. Probably by email."
"Will you be the one doing the work? Or will you send subcontractors?"
He shook his head. "This project has my name written all over it. I wouldn't let anyone touch it."
"Oh, really? Why is that?" Belle frowned as she followed him to the front door.
He paused, angling his body slightly toward Belle. "It's not an easy project. I have a feeling you'll want to make changes and additions while the work is being done."
Her brow furrowed. " Are you saying that I'm a difficult client?"
He grunted again.
"I don't think you know me at all. You never did," Belle said, moving away from him.
I had a feeling she needed a few minutes to herself, so I kept folding panties and bras in careful stacks, organized by design, color, and size.
Maverick sighed heavily before opening the door and stepping outside.
Ayla piled the last of the lingerie on top of the table in a heap I'd have to refold. "Can I look at a book now?"
"If that's okay with Belle."
Ayla ran over to Belle, who stood behind the counter with her head slightly bowed. She looked up when Ayla asked, "Do you mind if I look at books?"
Belle shook her head slightly. "Of course not. Let me show you where the kids' section will be. I have a bunch of cool seating options."
They moved away from me, and I wondered what happened between Maverick and Belle. It almost seemed like they knew each other at some point, maybe even dated.
There was an undercurrent of something between them: tension, electricity, and maybe even bad feelings.
But I was just here to arrange my products, not to think about what was happening between Belle and her contractor. I had my own to worry about.
A few minutes later, Belle reappeared without Ayla. "She found a book to read."
"She always does. I have a feeling she'll want to spend a lot of time here once you're open."
"She's welcome anytime."
"It's amazing that you can do such a big renovation when you're just opening." I wondered if she came from money or had an investor.
"Eve is paying for the renovation since it's technically an improvement to the building and she's the landlord."
"It will improve the value of this place. I think book lovers will enjoy coming here and sitting outside on the patio, listening to the fountain."
"The fountain will be nice in the summer, but we have a long cold spell. That's why I was thinking I'd enclose the side patio in the winter. Get more use of the space."
"That's a good idea."
"Maverick is the best when it comes to patios. I did my research."
"But?" I asked, sensing one was coming.
"We have a history, and I'm not sure it's going to be good to work together."
"Didn't Natasha work with Ford on the renovations for the inn, even though they dated in high school? And now they're together."
Belle laughed. "We weren't high-school sweethearts. I'm not even sure you would describe what we did as dating."
That made me raise my brows. There was a story there.
"We danced around each other, had a few encounters, but we weren't anything really. At some point, he decided I was too good for him. Whatever that's supposed to mean."
"Are you saying you were a good girl to his bad boy?" I teased, gesturing at the romance section on the shelf nearby.
"He thought so, and I couldn't convince him otherwise. And it seems like he still has a few preconceived notions about me in that thick head of his."
"Maybe it will be good to clear the air between you two. Talk it out so you can work together."
"Maverick isn't the easiest guy to talk to. He's gruff and stubborn."
I laughed. "Yeah, I could see that."
"I really want the patio. It's going to be amazing. This was the bookstore I envisioned owning when I was a little girl. People would come here to read and escape to other worlds. I can't think of a better place to spend my days, ensconced in books with all this light coming into the space."
"It's going to be amazing," I agreed, folding the last pair of panties.
Since it was a holiday display, I'd brought the ones with strings of lights, candy canes, and gingerbread men. I even had red-and-green striped. The rest of the lot was solid colors that fit the season. "Is this too much?"
"This is perfect. Books and panties are the perfect combination," Belle said, and we burst out laughing. It wasn't exactly true, but I appreciated the sentiment. And I was fairly sure I'd made a new friend today.
For the first time, I felt like I might fit in at Christmas Town, and I had allies to stand by my side when Bill gave me a hard time.
I just hoped I'd be able to stay and build a successful business. I didn't want to start over again, and I was really starting to like the women who worked here.