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“He wanted me to date him again,” I said. “That was it. Just date him and he’d go back to the rental agreement we’d had in our original contract.”
“Men like him…” Dad shook his head. “They think they can buy anything and anyone. I’m glad you told him no.”
“But I could have stopped this.” I gestured to the empty shelves and packed boxes. “Maybe I still can.”
Dad grabbed my hands, his gaze locking onto mine. “Don’t even think about it. That man has caused you enough pain. I will not allow my daughter to sacrifice her happiness, even for a second, for my sake.”
“Dad…” I sniffled, unable to stop myself.
“No,” he said firmly. “I won’t have it. Your mom and I will be fine. We’ve lived through worse than this.”
I wanted to argue with him, but I could see on his face that he wouldn’t budge. I threw my arms around him and let myself cry. Not just for the store and its loss but for everything I’d thought I could have. For the man I loved who didn’t love me back.
Maybe this was all for the best. A clean break from everything old and a fresh start for a new year.
* * *
“Be careful with that,”I instructed the skinny teen as he moved to pick up a rather large box. “It’s the glass panels for our display case.”
“I can read,” he muttered as he picked it up. “Not like the word FRAGILE isn’t written in huge letters.”
I probably could’ve said something to him about being rude, but I just watched him carry the box out to the truck. He was right. We’d clearly marked everything and the company we’d hired came highly recommended. They’d actually taken care of one of the other tenants earlier this week. None of this was their fault. In fact, I’d heard one of the movers talking to my father and saying how sorry he was to hear what had happened because his grandkids loved this store.
Dad had needed to excuse himself for a few minutes after that. I knew that was what hurt him the most. Not the fact that he was losing something he’d worked so hard to build. Not that he might end up having to work some shitty job for the next decade. He’d always genuinely enjoyed helping people find books, introducing kids to the joys of reading, sharing his love of stories with everyone who walked through our doors.
Fuck.
Now I needed a moment.
I hurried to the restroom, making the excuse that I wanted to double-check we’d gotten everything, and then I stayed there until I’d regained control of myself. I needed to do better. I couldn’t support my parents if I couldn’t handle my own emotions.
With new resolve, I washed my face, then headed back out, shoulders squared and chin up, prepared to face the worst with a stiff upper lip.
And then I saw Mom wiping away tears and knew I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t let this happen if there was anything at all I could do to fix it, no matter what Dad said. I would beg Derrick if I had to, though, as I reached the front door, I was more in the mood to threaten than plead.
I charged out of the bookstore, determined to set things right, whether my parents liked it or not…and skidded to a stop as soon as I stepped foot outside. My hands automatically went up and a set of strong fingers closed around my wrists, keeping me from falling. I took a step back and the hands released me just as I realized I knew the person I’d almost run into.
“Drew, what are you doing here?” I hoped the question didn’t come out as rude as it sounded in my head.
“Jessica, it’s good to see you.” He gave me a warm smile that faltered when he saw the moving van behind him. “Looks like I got here just in time.”
“In time for what?” I crossed my arms, bracing myself for whatever new shit Derrick was going to throw my way.
“To tell you to take everything back into the store.” He held out a manila envelope.
I stared at it but didn’t take it. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s a new rental agreement,” Drew said. “Better than the original, actually. Everyone’s getting one, but I decided to hand-deliver yours.”
“Are you serious?” I asked, hardly daring to believe it.
“Very.” His grin widened.
The relief and pure happiness that flooded through me was like a rush of adrenaline and I didn’t know what to do with all that excess energy. Surprising myself as much as Drew, I threw my arms around him in a hug.
“Thank you!”
He hugged me back, then let me go with a laugh. “You’re very welcome, but I can’t take the credit.”