Page 31

MERIT

Words.

I should be saying words, but I’m not.

I can’t even believe what I’m seeing. It very well could be a mirage.

It’s my store.

But it’s so much more than my store.

The setting sun is already behind the building, and the Run and Jump and Twirl sign is lit up, bright and brilliant, the bulbs recently replaced. Dangling in the front window is a sign that says, “Grand Re-Opening Coming Soon!”

And it’s not only my store; it’s the whole shopping complex. The whole front of the strip mall has gotten a face lift—fresh paint, new awnings, and huge flower planters with the most gorgeous flower arrangements known to mankind. Even the empty storefront next door to me shows signs of life, like a new store is coming or something.

Slowly, I glance around. Everyone is here.

And I mean everyone.

My parents. Granny. All of Holt’s family. The Conways. The Marcums.

Anna, Laura, and Ty are jumping up and down, screaming and holding handmade posters covered in so much glitter that I can’t even read what they say. Not only that, but strangers have stopped to see what all the fuss is about. People gaze out of the coffee shop, curiosity getting the best of them. Cars driving in the parking lot pull to the side and lower their windows.

Movement from the new storefront catches my eye. A sign like the one hanging from my window falls open. “ The Letterhead . Coming Soon!”

The Letterhead .

Why does that sound so familiar?

The front door opens, and a little body bounces outside like a rabbit hopping down the lane. A body I love.

“We can always change the name if you want,” Kyra says. “We were drinking that night we were playing around with names, and that’s the only one I could remember.”

“Kyra?” My voice gets strangled in my throat, and it sounds more like a frog ribbit than an actual human voice. In shock, I turn to Holt. “Kyra?” I ask him.

“I know it’s been a few months, but surely you didn’t forget what she looks like,” he says with a devilish wink.

I blink, feeling faint and dizzy. “Wha…what’s happening?” I’m completely dumbfounded. On top of that, I feel like a dumbass because I can’t even talk straight.

I think my tongue is numb.

He gathers me in his arms. “It’s your store. Your dream. You worked so hard for it, and you had to let it go because of me. That should have never happened. But it did. And I will never be able to tell you how sorry I am for that.”

“My store?”

“ Run and Jump and Twirl is ready for you whenever you’re ready for it.” He looks over at Kyra and nods to the other sign. “Not only that, but the stationery store too, or whatever you wanna call it. It’s yours. Well, yours and Kyra’s. I tried to split it 50/50, just like you wanted, but Kyra wouldn’t hear of it. She said you’re the one who came up with the idea. You’re the one who always pushed her and boosted her confidence in her creations, when she wasn’t even sure she could make it in graphic design. Kyra insisted you be majority owner. So, you are. In the stationery store, you own 51%, and Kyra owns 49%.”

“Are you serious?”

He licks his lips. “Very.”

“Kyra’s back?”

He nods. “Toby already has a job lined up in town too. This trip isn’t just a visit for them; it’s a move.” His deep blue eyes dance. “And she didn’t make me grovel too much. She actually jumped at the idea.” He cocks his head, “Well, after she cussed me out for about ten minutes.”

Kyra scoffs and folds her arms across her chest. “You deserved way more than ten minutes of foul language.”

He laughs, flashing his brilliant white teeth. “Point taken.”

I can’t find any words in my vocabulary, so I just repeat what I already said, “My store?”

“ Run and Jump and Twirl is all yours. No loans. No liens. No attachments. There’s more than enough money in the business bank accounts for you to get everything set up for both stores. And,” his eyes scan the crowd, landing on my parents, “I paid your parents back for every cent they gave you when you handed over the envelope full of cash.”

“I can’t believe you did this.”

“I love you, Merit. I told you I will always support your dreams.”

Kyra finally invades our space. “Listen, I don’t mean to ruin this beautiful moment,” she narrows me with a stare, “but you do realize that I haven’t seen you since March, right?” She thins her lips. “By the way, what’s all over the front of your shirt?”

Somehow, I snap out of my daze and crush her against me, holding my best friend—and business partner—so tightly I worry I’ll suffocate Daire.

That’s all it takes. Everyone goes berserk and rushes us. Hug after hug. Excited chatter bursts my eardrums. Laughter vibrates against my ribs. Pushing his way through the throngs of people, Holt hauls me into his arms. My legs wrap around his waist, and my fingers tangle in his blond curls. His lips find mine, and he claims me, marking me as his.

Eventually he pulls his face away, needing a breath and a break to collect himself. Because our make-out session was quickly morphing into something not safe for public viewing. “Are you happy?”

“Oh, Holt, I’m so happy.” I lower my forehead to his. “But really, you didn’t have to do this. I would’ve been okay. I could’ve just gotten a regular job somewhere.”

He smiles softly. “I know. And that’s just another reason I love you.”

I take another look at my store. Well, my two stores . The walls are coated with my blood, sweat, and tears. Years and years of hard work.

And I’m so excited to do it all over again.

“It’s so beautiful. The whole complex looks great. I can’t believe Stan did all of this,” I say, talking about the owner and landlord. “And he did it quick too. I just drove past here two days ago.” I lock my ankles around his waist, holding him tighter. “He didn’t try to swindle you on the leases, did he? I know he let me out of my lease early in March; but normally, he’s pretty shrewd.”

“How could he? He’s not the landlord anymore.”

My brow furrows. “He’s not? Who is?”

Holt shrugs. “I don’t know. I heard it was some good-looking guy.”

Holy crap.

“Holt?”

He waggles his eyebrows. “Ever make love to a real estate magnate?”

I toss my head back and laugh. “No, but I think I may tonight.”