Page 138 of Chasing Infinity

When I tell you that last night was the best night of my life, I hope you believe me. There is nothing that I want more than for you to have everything you want, but unfortunately, that can’t be me. Not yet. Please, do what I ask and go chase your dreams. Do everything you ever wanted, and don’t let me hold you back.

I left you some cash to get you home, and the hotel checkout is at eleven. It guts me to leave you like this, but this is the way things have to be. For the time being.

We’ll meet again someday, and until then, know that I’ll be thinking about you. I love everything about you, from the freckles that line your nose to the amber flares in your pretty hazel eyes. You areeverythingto me. Never forget that. I’ll never forget you. That’s all I can promise for now.

Until infinity, Addison Parks.

X, Noah

Chapter 34

Addison

Addison - Age 24

I’m not sure if it’s the frigid air biting at my cheeks and seeping deep into my chest or the way the house looks empty as I stand in front of it. But as soon as I step out of my car in Willow Heights after visiting New York, I decide that it is time for me to do something with my life. Noah was right; I can’t waste my days wondering when he will return. It is time for me to move on.

Once I settle on that, everything starts falling into place.

It’s a crisp spring morning when the idea finally comes to me. I’m out for a run, jogging around the main square as I usually try to do in the early mornings. My muscles scream out in protest as I push through my last mile. As soon as my watch vibrates on my wrist, I am hungry for breath, so I stop in front of the empty storefront that used to be my parents’ cafe. I gaze at theFOR LEASEsign still boldly displayed in the window. The building has remained empty all these years after the fire, empty and hollow. It would seem no one wanted to move into a building with which something so horrible had happened. Can’t say I blame them.

I can still picture it the way it was—before. The light emanating from the business every morning when my mother would flip the sign on the door fromClosedtoCome on In!The town square has never quite been the same since the scent of freshly baked pastries disappeared along with the cafe. I know I’ve missed it when I go on my run in the early mornings. A part of my soul burned away that night the cafe disappeared, and I’m not sure I’ll ever get that part of me back.

As I stand there, lost in my memories, the idea strikes me like a flash of lightning. The clouds above my head clear, giving me a brief glimpse of potential.

Peering into the empty store, I can picture it all then, every piece coming together in a perfect display. A sense of peace washes over me as I imagine the atmosphere of a cozy diner that is welcoming and comfortable. I can see it all, clear as day—from the layout to the color scheme. I start playing around with names as I stand there, still lost in my daydreams.

When I finally come back to my senses, I run back to Grace’s house, rejuvenated from the idea, and sprint into the kitchen, finding her making a cup of coffee. She glances at me mid-pour, taking in my sweaty and flushed appearance she has grown accustomed to over the years. But the wild look in my eyes causes her alarm as she knows something big has happened.

“What’s up with you?” she asks suspiciously.

“You might want to sit down,” I tell her, taking a step towards her.

Wariness crosses her face, but she does as I ask, sliding into one of the chairs at our small kitchen table. After sitting across from her, I dive into my brilliant plan.

Once I’m finished, Grace purses her lips, thoughtfully. “Are yousurethis is what you want? I mean it’s yourparents’ store.”

I frown. “And?”

“And all I’m saying is that it might be hard for you to go in and revamp everything in there, given the history.”

A stab in my chest tells me that my best friend might be onto something. I damper down my excitement for a moment, considering her words. Will it be too hard to start a new business where my parents were killed? Maybe. But I can’t help but feel like this is what I’m meant to do, as if my parents are right beside me, nudging me forward. There is something deep within me telling me to go full steam ahead with this plan.

“I think I’m supposed to do this,” I whisper. Grace raises her eyebrows at me. “I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s like there’s some outer force screaming inside my head thatI’mthe one who is supposed to restore what that storefront used to be. I know that sounds dumb,” I say, looking down at the table.

Grace reaches over and takes my hands, her dark skin contrasting with mine. When I look up, I see her eyes shining with warmth. “Addison, if this is what you want, then I’m here to support you all the way. I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting into.”

“I do. I want this.”

Grace's soft smile now morphs into a wide grin. “Well, okay then. I’m in.”

And that’s how Grace and I become business partners.

She is gracious enough to go in on the business loan with me, signing me over as the primary business owner but taking a seat as a partner. Then we devise a business plan on how best to succeed in a small town such as Willow Heights, and from there, everything starts coming together. I get to work on the process of renovating the cookie-cutter storefront exactly how I want it to be.

I find a fantastic architect on social media who I reach out to. She’s from out of state, but after reading her reviews and perusing her portfolio, I know I have to reach out and set up a consultation. Surprisingly, though she mostly does corporate architecture, she loves my pitch so much that she agrees to take me on as a client immediately, with little effort on my end.

“I like doing pet projects like this,” she says on one particular call. “It rejuvenates my passion for creating things when I get to do smaller projects from the heart. I like building things that last, and I feel this project will be one of those.”

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