Page 13 of Secrets That Bind Us
“Zo-“ I groan, trying to taper down the excitement. But Zoey sniffles. “This is more than six months’ worth of work.”
“So then stay for twelve.” She’s trying to keep her smile on, but it’s slowly falling. I love her. But I never loved this town.
“Zoey-“ I really wish she would stop discussing things in front of Emory.
“You’re a multimillion-dollar, award-winning author, Ver. Every single person in this town has read at leastoneof your books. You’re a darling here. You could have Eli schedule book signings here instead of Dallas, Fort Worth, or Waco. You could help the tourist economy-“ her voice breaks, and she sheds one tear that wrecks me. “Ijustgot my best friend back, stop trying to leave me so soon again. This can work. Itwillwork.”
I look up at the rustic open ceiling, imagining a loft for kids to read while parents shop. I exhale, blowing out a frustrated groan. “Dammit, Zoey. If this fails-“
“Itwon’t.” She says sternly, her belief in me always so unwavering it shatters my resolve.
I look at Emory, who’s grinning at us like a cat that ate the canary. “The second lot is open as well?”
She nods, not a hair moving out of place.
“Can you draw up the paperwork?”
Zoey squeals, jumping up and down like a teenage girl.
“Certainly. Now, you’d have to go to City Hall for construction permits, but I’m sure Mayor Beaufort is going to just love this idea. The lease can be anywhere from a year to five.”
I shake my head. “No. If I’m going to build, then I want to purchase these two lots.”
“That may not be feasible.” She says.
I scrunch my nose, crossing an arm under my chest, my other hand going up to the gold sunflower pendant on my chest. The designs on the front withered with how much I’ve fiddled with it over the years. My eyes bounce over the town square, coming alive as business owners begin opening their doors to welcome in patrons. I let my hands roll down my sides, smoothing over my pencil skirt, and turn to eye Emory. “I’ll have to purchase the building, then.”
Emory gasps, Zoey almost faints, and this time, it’s my turn to grin. “Didn’t you want to open a second location?”
Her entire face goes bright pink. “I don’t know if I can handle-“
“If we go down,” I start.
“Then we go down together.” She finishes matter-of-factly. And then, “I need a fucking drink, holy shit. It’s not even nine in the morning.”
“You’re telling me, Zo. An author opening up a bookstore?”
“We’ll have an entire section dedicated to your books.”
“Absolutely not. That’s so… pretentious and vain.”
She cackles. “You just offered to buy a whole ass building, Verity. I thinkpretentiousnessis out the window.”
I cringe.
“Actually,” Emory chuckles sheepishly and reaches into her briefcase, pulling out a very worn copy ofTethered, and then an equally weathered copy ofBroken, its sequel. One of the first duets I ever wrote– right before marrying Micah. “I was really hoping you’d sign these for me.”
Smiling, I reach into my book for my preferred .5mm black ballpoint pen. “Of course.”
She squeals and thenZoeysqueals, and my chest blooms with so many emotions– but mainly… warmth. Like when I’ve just written ‘The End’ and I send a manuscript over to Eli, only for him to call me hours later, praising me.
“If it helps, Verity, I think you’re doing a great thing. These spaces have been empty almost as long as you’ve been gone… I think they were waiting for you.” She looks at Zoey as I finish signing my name onBroken. “And… I’d like to be your first customer in your new shop, Zoey. I’ve been dying to get-“ She blushes, looking down at the ravens and sunflowers on the cover of the autographed books that are now in her hands. “A blue-eyed Raven holding a sunflower.”
Zoey nods, in this weird way we both know Emory is extending more than an olive branch. “I designed those covers.”
Emory’s breath hitches. “That’s… kind of really incredible. The both of you, I mean. Your friendship really did surpass the test of time.” She says sadly.
I’m sure there’s a story there.
