Page 4 of To Fall or Not to Fall

“Well, yes. I know it’s similar, but I suppose inspiration hit my mother when it was needed.

” I feel like it’s best for me to acknowledge the similarities and hope that they buy them.

“It’s really Oscar Theodore Wilder, but I go by Theo,” I compromise, because I also don’t want to happen upon either one of them at some other location and have them call me by the name Oscar, and I have no idea who they’re talking to.

The fact of the matter is that I do go by Theo, so it’s not like they are calling me a completely made-up name.

“Theo’s cute,” Ava says, grinning. “Are you looking for any book in particular?” She scrutinizes me in a way that makes me feel a little uncomfortable. I shake my head. She’s really becoming quite annoying. Or maybe she’s making me feel the first sense of guilt I’ve felt in a while.

“Sorry, I’ll back off,” she says, as if she can read my mind. “I’m making some gingerbread cookies if you?—”

“I’m okay, thank you,” I say gruffly, and turn around.

There’s something about her kindness that kindles something inside of me, and I’m not sure what it is.

It’s not because she’s pretty or friendly or overly bubbly—because that’s not the sort of woman I’m into.

I normally date sleek, petite blondes who are interested first and foremost in their career, and then secondly, going on dinner dates with me that may or may not end in consensual sex that is fast, fun, friendly, and not at all intimate.

I certainly don’t date women who can’t stop talking and asking me inane questions.

I head towards the back of the store and pull out my phone.

I’m waiting for a text message from my assistant, who I’m meant to be meeting up with later to discuss plans to infiltrate the town and figure out how we can get the store owners—most importantly Ava—to sell.

Ava is the key to the entire deal going through.

“So, do you really think that the matchmaking service is going to help us make enough money?” Aria says to Ava, worry in her voice.

She’s whispering, but I can still hear her.

I don’t look up, though. I don’t want them to know that I’m listening, but I am most definitely interested in what she has to say.

“I hope so,” Ava says to her friend, letting out a huge sigh, a telltale sign that she’s stressed out.

“I mean, I’ve got enough savings to get us through the next couple of months, but after that, I’m not going to be able to afford the mortgage.

And my grandma co-signed for me, so I can’t let it go into default. I can’t risk her credit and mine.”

“You’re not going to sell it to the corporation, though, are you?”

“Never,” Ava says. “I’ll never sell it to a greedy corporation that just wants to destroy our little town.

We have people coming here because they love the uniqueness.

They love how quaint and vintage we are.

No one wants to go to a bunch of condos with no charisma or coziness.

” She sounds annoyed. “I’m not going to let that happen.

If I hear from that corporation again, I’m going to tell them to go to hell. ”

Aria starts laughing. “And I’ll tell them that they can burn there.”

I stare down at my phone again and press my lips together.

There’s definitely no way that I’m going to tell them who I’m affiliated with.

They want me to go to hell, and I have a feeling they would kick me there as fast as they could if they knew who I was.

They don’t know that I’ve been there and back several times when doing business.

I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or not, but I don’t want to analyze my life choices.

I head back towards the front of the store and smile at the two ladies. “Everything okay? I couldn’t help overhearing…. You seemed upset about something.”

“Oh, we’re fine. Thank you very much for asking,” Ava says, looking guilty, which surprises me. Why would she look guilty?

“You’re welcome,” I say. “Are you thinking about selling this place?” I look around the bookstore and pause.

I don’t want to lie and be disingenuous as to why I’m asking.

“It’s a unique store,” I say, because that is true, and I don’t want to ignore the fact that she obviously loves the place.

But I know from her numbers she’s not doing well.

In fact, if she continues as she is, she will be bankrupt in about three years.

“Thank you. I really try to put my all into it, and this is the season we go crazy with the decorations.” Ava smiles at me. “If you can’t tell, I’m the fall queen.”

“She really is,” Aria says, nodding enthusiastically as she laughs.

They are obviously extremely close. “I mean, she’s never officially been the fall queen at the fall festival, but that’s not because she doesn’t love fall.

It’s just because Maribel Laribel is always pushing her granddaughter, Eloise to?—”

Ava gives Aria a look, and Aria presses her lips together. “Well, anyway, nothing much to say about that. Would you like to buy any books?” Ava asks hopefully. “Or postcards? I mean, if you’re on vacation, don’t you want to send a postcard to your friends and family? Or girlfriend?” She giggles.

I wonder then if she’s asking me if I have a girlfriend because she’s interested, or if that’s just her way of trying to make a sale. Or maybe both.

“I’m not really one for sending postcards,” I say, shaking my head.

She looks disappointed, and for some reason, I feel bad that she looks so downcast. Like my postcard will save their store from closing. Which I already know it won’t. Maybe I should buy a card to make them feel positively about me, but I don’t want to be too disingenuous.

“Umm, I guess I was looking for The Picture of Dorian Gray , for obvious reasons,” I say, shrugging as I look around the store, pretending I don’t know exactly what shelf it’s on.

Her eyes light up. “Oh, we definitely have that book.” She grins at me. “Anything else?”

I shake my head. “Maybe later. I don’t read that quickly.”

“Oh, it’s okay. I think you’ll really like The Picture of Dorian Gray . I read it a couple of years ago, and I—” She pauses. “Actually, I don’t want to ruin your enjoyment of reading the book, so I won’t say anything else.”

“Okay, then.” I nod. “Well, thank you. How much will that be?”

“That will be $16.99, please.” She grins as she heads to the bookshelf. I watch as she grabs the book and heads back to the register. “Plus tax, of course. Are you sure you don’t want a gingerbread man or?—”

“I’m good,” I say. I’m about to take out my credit card but pause as I remember it’s got my real name on it. “Do you take cash?”

“We do, but I don’t know that I have much cash for change. So it depends on the denominations that you have. Aria, do we have more change?”

“Let me check.” The blonde wrinkles her nose like she thinks there is a possibility while I know that she knows that there is no other money in the store other than in the register. “No, Ava, we have none.”

“I’m sorry. Normally, everyone pays with credit cards, so I haven’t actually been to the bank in a while,” Ava says finally and offers me a sweet little smile. She is far too nice. And too beautiful. And too curvy.

“Let me go and see something.” Aria walks away, and I hear her humming as she fiddles with a stack of books.

“It’s okay,” I say, pulling out a fifty and handing it to Ava. “Keep the change. Hopefully it helps.”

“No, I can’t keep all that change. It’s far too much,” she says, shaking her head. “Far, far too much.”

“Maybe it’s my way of paying it forward. People have been good to me this week, so I’m being good to you. Maybe you can pay it forward to someone else.”

She beams at me. “I love that. And I will—free pumpkin spice lattes for everyone that comes in today!”

I raise an eyebrow. “For everyone?” I say softly. “I don’t think that the remainder of my change would cover?—”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s the thought that counts, right?” She beams. “You gifted me with a large amount of money, and I’m going to gift everyone with a pumpkin spiced latte—because it’s fall, and it’s wonderful.”

I keep my mouth closed because if she’s trying to save her business, this is the worst way to do it.

But I’m not really here to help her save her business.

I’m here to ensure that she sells it to me.

And at this rate, I don’t have to do much work.

She’s the worst businesswoman I’ve ever come in contact with.

“Well, you have a nice day, Miss Ava. Thank you for the coffee.”

“You, too, Theo.” She grins. “Hope to see you again.”

“Yes, me too,” I say. I look over at Aria, who’s grinning, and I give her a small nod.

“Bye, maybe next time you’ll meet our other best friend, Arabella,” she says, waving and playing with the orange chunk of her hair. She’s pretty, as well, but seems even more out there than Ava does. Just in a different way. The two women are very different from the women I meet in New York.

I step outside the store and look down at the book in my hand.

I have no interest in reading it. All I read are contracts about my mergers and acquisitions, though I will have to take the book to my hotel room instead of throwing it directly in the trash.

The last thing I would want is for Ava or Aria to see that I didn’t really want the book.

I walk casually down the street and pause as I hear a familiar sound.

A sound that reminds me of childhood summers with my grandparents.

That’s when I notice that I’m almost at the beach.

From my vantage point at the intersection of two streets, I can see the ocean waves crashing into the rocks and a lighthouse in the distance.

I remember the map of the city from my research.

Main Street is right next to the beach. Perfect location.

I’m not dressed for sand and water, but I feel myself heading toward the sound of the waves anyway. I loved the water when I was younger. The water was the one place where I felt at peace from the shouting that occurred between my parents every other hour when I was at home.

Calmness fills me as my eyes gaze upon the turquoise blue water. It’s beautiful here. The sand is a light, grainy white. I slip off my expensive shoes, take off my socks, roll up my pants legs, and head towards the water.

I stare at the sky and take a deep breath, letting the salty air fill my lungs. I look down at the book in my hand.

The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Maybe I’ll read it in my spare time.

I look at the cover for a few moments and then back at the water before turning back around and looking down Main Street. It would be a pity for the town to change. It’s almost perfect as it is. I can see why people love it. My hotel will change the vibe of the town, but progress means change.

I have a plan and a vision, and I don’t want to back down. I have to see this project through. I know I’m stubborn, but once I have my mind on something, I will not stop until I get what I want.

And what I want is for my next hotel to be on Main Street.

I can see it now. Even though Ava’s bookstore, Beachy Balls, Biscuits, & Books, is cute, it’s not a moneymaker, so in reality, I’m actually doing her a favor, as well.

Better to end her dream now while she still has some money than for her world to come crashing around her due to her own lack of business savviness.