Page 31 of Timeless Pages

I wiped the sweat from my brow as I pushed the final chair into place and looked around.

Honestly, all of the minor adjustments I was doing weren't necessary.

Everything had been perfect last night when I did a final walk-through, but I was so damn nervous today that I couldn't stop fiddling with everything.

It had been a long fourteen months since my guys had given me the deeds to every property on the block.

I knew this project would have taken even longer without their connections. And now, we were here—opening day.

And I was terrified.

Ironic considering all of the horrific things I've endured, but there it was.

Taking this final step and opening up the center terrified me.

It felt like I was plucking out a piece of my heart and chucking it into the world to be stomped on by whoever felt like it.

When I was designing the place and watching my dreams slowly take shape on paper, I hadn't thought about this part.

I wanted a place where those down on their luck could come for a warm meal, a place to lay their heads, and tools to turn their lives around.

And I had to fight for it tooth and nail.

While the city council admired the idea on paper, they weren't so sure that they wanted a facility like mine to be in their precious, sweet Sunflower Falls.

They weren't sure it was the look they wanted for the town.

I had to educate them on how many homeless men, women, and children Sunflower Falls had already, and that the number was only going up.

Just because they didn't venture down every block to see the dark side of Sunflower Falls didn't mean it didn't exist. People were living on our streets who needed our help, and the Jasmine Wilcox Haven could provide it.

Eventually, the permits I needed were approved, likely due to the efforts of mine and Nova's guys.

They had the money to shake things up when needed, something the town wasn't willing to push against.

I was now the immensely proud owner of what could be likened to a micro-town.

The bookstore was still there, but it had expanded and now featured even more indie authors.

I partnered with the owner of Caffeinated Charm and Nova to create a little cafe serving coffee and baked goods.

I had plans for a couple more retail options, like a sandwich shop, but they were part of phase two.

The true beauty of Haven lay in everything that was happening behind the businesses.

I had twenty private rooms available with space to add cots if needed.

There was a full kitchen serving three meals a day for anyone who needed it, whether they were staying with us or not.

Among the many services we offered were GED classes, a clinic, an office to help with government assistance applications, and so much more.

And the best part was, every possible position at Haven that a resident could fill would be.

We were doing everything we could to give as many people as possible a fresh start.

Dave was a great help in identifying the needs and how we could address them.

He was also appointed the official manager of Timeless Pages.

It was his home and baby as much as it was mine, the original haven, even, and he deserved to run it.

"Everything is already perfect, Beauty," Dom said as he wrapped his arms around me.

"I know," I sighed as I leaned into him. "I'm just so damn nervous. I need something to do with my hands."

"I have an idea of what you could do with your hands," he growled playfully. "If you want to explore it further, we could go find one of those snazzy new rooms you built."

I chuckled at his offer. While he may have been mostly kidding, I knew if I said yes, he'd have me in a room in ten seconds flat.

"As tempting as that is, I don't think we have the time.

" People would start arriving for the dedication and ribbon-cutting soon.

I would have to deliver a speech in front of numerous press, friends, and city officials.

I knew what I wanted to say, and as the owner and CEO, I knew I had to make a speech, but I really didn't want to.

"You absolutely don't have the time," Brandy said as she appeared beside me. "You have to get ready." Nova was behind her, holding a garment bag.

"Right. It's about that time, huh?" I looked around for Nate and Evan, wanting to see them before I was whisked away. "Where are Nate and Evan?"

"They had to take care of something real quick," Dom replied, "but don't worry. They'll be here in time. They wouldn't miss this for the world."

I nodded and swallowed my disappointment.

I knew they'd be here on time. They've never let me down before, and I didn't expect them to now, but it would go a long way toward calming my nerves to know they were close.

"Ok, let's get me put together for the cameras," I sighed.

I followed Nova and Brandy to my new office to get ready.

I had gone back and forth on what to wear.

An oversized hoodie and leggings didn't scream CEO; however, I wasn't a dress girl either.

I finally told Brandy and Nova what I didn't want and trusted them to find the perfect outfit for the day.

"Ok," Brandy said as the door closed, "first things first, baby wipe shower.

You weren't supposed to work up a sweat before you got ready.

" She tossed a pack of wipes at me and pointed toward my private bathroom.

I stepped inside to clean myself up, and when I returned, there was a giant makeup case open on the desk.

"Take a seat," Brandy ordered when I came back out. They huddled over the makeup case as I sat. "I still think a bold lip would be best."

"Isa prefers a more muted look, though," Nova argued. I nodded but didn't bother speaking. Over the last fourteen months, the three of us have grown quite close, and I knew better than to interrupt when Brandy and Nova talked fashion.

"Which is why I think a bold lip is appropriate. Isa is the star. She needs to stand out. You won the outfit argument, so this is a hill I'm willing to die on." Brandy planted her hands on her hips and stared Nova down.

Nova looked at me apologetically, and I groaned.

"Fine," I conceded, not that I had much of a choice.

I closed my eyes and sat patiently as they did my hair and makeup.

When they were done, I changed into the outfit they'd chosen for me and was relieved to find it was a pantsuit.

I went back into the bathroom to check my reflection and had to admit that the red lipstick didn't look out of place.

I looked like a CEO. Like I knew what the hell I was doing.

"Thank you," I said when I went back into my office. "I couldn't have pulled this together without you guys."

"How do you feel?" Nova asked.

"Powerful. Strong. Like I belong."

"That's because you do," Brandy replied, hugging me. "You're amazing, Isa."

There was a light knock on the door before it opened, and Evan poked his head through. "Five-minute warning. Wow! You look amazing!"

Seeing him relaxed a ball of anxiety inside me that I hadn't realized I was holding. They didn't miss it.

"Let me see," Nate said, pushing his way into the office. "Damn, Little Bell."

Nova and Brandy giggled as they continued to stare at me. "We'll leave you guys alone to appreciate our work. Isa, you've got this. We'll see you out there."

"You may have made it happen, but all the credit goes to Isa," Dom said from behind Evan and Nate.

"How are you feeling?" Evan asked as the door closed behind Brandy and Nova.

"Better now that you're here. Nervous. What we're doing here is big. It's important. And I'm terrified that I won't express that correctly. That we're in the home stretch and I'm going to mess it all up somehow."

Nate stepped in front of me and tipped my chin up with his finger to look into my eyes.

"No one has fought harder for Haven than you have, Isa Wilcox.

No one knows how special this place will be more than you.

You are the heartbeat of Haven, and that will shine through you.

No one will be able to miss it. Believe in yourself, because we sure as hell do. "

It was just the pep talk I needed. I straightened my shoulders and raised my chin. I could do this; moreover, I was the only one who could. Haven was my baby, and it was time to share her with the world.

"Good girl," Nate smirked.

I rewarded him with a glare. He knew what that did to me.

"Later," he promised.

I kissed them all in turn, and then we left my office. The press conference was set up outside the front door. Since I had an entire block to work with, moving the building off the street to create parking and a beautiful garden area was easy. The mayor was already speaking when we went outside.

"Sunflower Falls prides itself on community and lifting each other.

Being a good neighbor isn't just a matter of good manners; it's a way of life for us.

However, there was a community of people who weren't receiving the help they deserved.

Isa Wilcox recognized that need, and when she found herself in a position to do something about it, she threw herself wholeheartedly into the project.

The Jasmine Wilcox Haven isn't a simple homeless shelter.

For those who need it, this is a life-correcting opportunity that the community might not have otherwise found.

It's a promise and everything Sunflower Falls stands for.

" He glanced back to ensure I was there, and with a smile, he turned back to the crowd.

"Please join me in welcoming Isa Wilcox to the stage! "