Page 22 of Secondhand Secrets

“Nothing bad, Mr. Overton.” Jay chuckled as though he sensed Chip’s concern. “Only that our goal is to make great tech ideas happen, which means providing whatever capital needed to thrive.”

But the budget on offer was already generous and well within the tens of millions. Still, Chip saw no use in overthinking Jay’s bit of extra information. Not until Chip knew for a fact the grant was his.

One thing that made Encode’s grant so hugely coveted was that the winner would essentially become a stakeholder in Encode itself. As in, Encode would create a salable product from the winner’s project, the winner given a choice of sharing profits and continuing to manage the project into the future or outright selling the idea to Encode at a negotiated and life-changing price.

A sharp prickle formed over the base of Chip’s neck and travelled down the rest of his body, stealing his words as he stared at the long chain of code glowing from his computer screen. All those symbols and commands held the keys to a world of financial and creative freedom he couldn’t even begin to imagine being his. “I… ahh… thank you for the call, Jay. I guess I’ll be seeing you in three weeks?”

“Sure thing. The board is looking forward to hearing what you have to offer. Until then, I’ll have my assistant email the details. See you then.”

Jay hung up, and Chip lowered his phone ever-so-slowly to his desk, his hand resting atop the device for the longest time.

After five years at MIT. His internships. The late nights at his desk. The risk of an unsightly blank spot on his resume while he worked on his own project. The risk in defying his dad’s wishes—Stonewall being what his dad dubbed “a baseless dream.” Chip now had a one-in-three chance at being the developer behind his very own multi-million-dollar product. A chance to live his life so far from anyone’s criticisms and control.

His legs worked of their own volition and lifted him from his chair until he paced the room. He kept his fingers interlaced behind his head and blew out a flustered breath, needing to get back to work but too hyped to do so.

Now, his mind raced to Ally, to her admission that she didn’t want anyone who would leave her behind. That she also had no plans of living anywhere but Harlow, while he still had little idea where his life was headed beyond pinning his mind to launching his career. Did he need to call her? Tell her what had happened? Was their relationship at the point of making phone calls? Or even sharing random good news? Probably not.

After all, she had a point. Even if he did want her more than what was healthy, it wouldn’t be fair for him to drag her down a path of no return. There’d be two broken hearts. Rather than just the one he’d had that first time he’d left town. Besides, his connection with her was way too fresh and non-committal to ask her to consider following him anywhere.

No. For all his smarts, even he couldn’t change his numbered days in Harlow. He’d have to focus on the next weeks. Ensure his future with Encode. Enjoy his short time with Ally before life pulled them apart a second time.

Eleven

The next day, the brass bell tinged above Oak Tree Furniture’s door and shifted Ally’s attention away from the receipts she tallied at the white glass counter.

“Is Blaine in?” Emilia power walked over, a standard-sized envelope clasped in one hand, her beautiful dark curls flowing in her wake.

“He’s repairing a window fitting at a house across town.” Ally waited for Emilia to reach her, glad that only one customer remained amongst the store’s sea of dining settings and beds.

If not talking to Sarah didn’t suck enough, Chip’s home visit meant Ally now had things to say and no one to say them to. But with Emilia here, well, her presence changed everything. Besides, she wasn’t Chip’s sister so even better.

“Say, how ‘bout you stick around for a cool drink?” Ally tried to offer a smile that didn’t look calculated. “I don’t think Blaine’ll be much longer, anyway.”

Emilia’s warm Mediterranean complexion sported a rosy blush, and she fanned her face with the envelope. “You know, I could do with a break from running about town. Sheesh. Summer in Harlow is hotter than I figured.”

“That’s right, this is your first summer in town, isn’t it?” She rounded the counter and hooked an arm through Emilia’s, leading her to the back, past the living room displays of oak, maple, and ash furnishings. All Blaine’s creations. The man was closer to a loveably annoying older sibling than a boss, the sale of his work enabling him to provide Ally some financial help. First with this job and then with the shelf he allowed her to keep filled with her own vases and handmade homewares. Even though it wasn’t a huge source of sales in his store. “Give it a few weeks, it’ll only get hotter.”

The small table of complimentary iced lemon water stood along the back wall, Blaine’s workshop hidden on the other side, even though Ally liked to leave the door open when he wasn’t around, so customers had a glimpse of furniture pieces mid-creation.

If she had her way, the back wall would sport a giant sound-proof window, so everyone could watch Blaine work, but being on display wasn’t his thing.

Now, she poured water from a bulbous, blue glass jug into two matching glasses. “So, how is everything?”

“I have a wedding to plan while building a new business.” Emilia chuckled and lifted the envelope back into view. “So, a little hectic, to be honest, but I came today with good news.”

“Ooo. What is it?”

Ally reached for the envelope, only for Emilia to snatch it back.

“This is my first cheque.”

Ally laughed and handed Emilia some water, the glass’s chill lingering on her palm, the sharp scent of lemon hanging between them. “Well then, can’t say I blame you for being possessive.”

“Exactly, but”—Emilia took a sip of water, her ensuing small sigh a hint that she’d really needed refreshing—“remember how I had you sweet-talk my friend a bit more than a month ago while Blaine was in the hospital?”

“Rochelle? Oh yah, sure.” Ally paused, her insides churning at the memory of having to fill in because Emilia’s ex returned to town seeking revenge, and Blaine had been shot trying to protect her. “She was nice enough to follow me from our display at the town fair and to the shop for a better look at our range.”

“Well, she liked you too. You did such a great job talking up Oak Tree that Blaine landed his first wholesale order… and this first cheque.” Emilia gave an excited laugh and tapped Ally’s arm with the envelope. “Since I have another idea, today’s good news isn’t just for Blaine, it’s for you too.”

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