Page 32 of Falling for Mr. Grump, the Big City Billionaire

Deep breaths, Skye. You've got this.

My hands are shaking as I grip the edges of the podium.

I scan the crowd packed into the community center. Familiar faces stare back at me, a sea of worry and determination. Mr. Jenkins gives me a thumbs up from the front row, and I manage a wobbly smile.

Yes, I can be extroverted but when I’m on an actual stage. I get full-on nervous.

"Thank you all for coming," I begin, my voice only slightly quivering. "As you know, we're here to discuss the threat of corporate takeovers in Seaside Cove."

A murmur ripples through the audience. I catch sight of Zoey, who nods encouragingly.

Right.

"Look, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. We're in trouble, folks. These big companies? They don't care about our history, ourcommunity, or the sand between our toes. They see dollar signs, not people."

I'm pacing back and forth, gesticulating wildly. "They want to turn Seaside Cove into just another cookie-cutter resort town. But we're not gonna let that happen, are we?"

A chorus of "No!" echoes through the room.

That's more like it.

"We've got to fight back. With everything we've got. Because this isn't just about our businesses or our homes. It's about our way of life."

I take a deep breath and launch into our action plan.

"First, we need to make sure every single person in Seaside Cove knows what's at stake. I'm talking door-to-door campaigns, flyers, social media blitzes. We'll set up info booths at the farmers’ market and the boardwalk. No one in this town should be in the dark about what's happening."

I see people nod in the crowd, looking to one another.

Using that as encouragement, I continue, "Next, we're bringing in the big guns. I've been in touch with an environmental law firm that specializes in fighting corporate land grabs. Greenleaf & Associates has agreed to take our case pro bono.”

“Their legal team has already started reviewing the details of the potential buyouts, and they're confident we have a strong case to prevent these acquisitions on environmental and historical preservation grounds. We're going to challenge these buyouts on every legal basis possible with Greenleaf & Associates leading the charge.”

“Yes! That’s the right choice! That is what we must do!” Someone I can’t decipher from the crowd speaks out loud and a murmur picks up with people agreeing with the person.

"Here's the kicker –.” I walk out from behind the podium. “We're not just saying 'no' to their plans. We're creating ourown. A sustainable development initiative that preserves our character while still allowing for growth. We'll show them we don't need their 'vision' for our future."

The words flow out of me like a tidal wave, fueled by passion and maybe a little too much coffee.

I can see eyes widening in the audience, heads nodding along.

They're with me.

"And remember," I say, building to my big finish, "we are Seaside Cove. We've weathered storms before, and we'll weather this one too. Together."

The applause is deafening. For a moment, I just stand there, heart racing, riding the high of it all.

We can do this.

We have to.

As I step down from the podium, people crowd around, patting my back, shaking my hand. I'm grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.

Feeling eyes on me, I look up and then I see him.

Troy.

Standing at the back of the room, watching me with an unreadable expression.

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