I swallow down my nerves and stand tall as I start speaking. “Thank you to everyone who’s made it here today to celebrate the reopening of The Dancing Daisy with us. For decades, The Dancing Daisy has been a fixture in this community, and being entrusted with her means so much to me. The legacy of whatLucille and her Lochan built here, with the guidance of his family before them, I promise to continue. My hope is that The Dancing Daisy will become a hub in this community, a safe space to connect with others, not only for the bibliophiles, but for anyone needing a friend or a new hobby to explore.” I look toward Arran and dip my head at him, echoing this community’s slogan that he made almost four hundred years ago. “Starry Hill—and The Dancing Daisy—welcome all.”
Arran approaches me and shakes my hand. “Congratulations, Eleanor.” Then, he hands me some very large antique-looking shears before melting back into the crowd.
I can’t help but think of how many shop reopenings these shears have been a part of and how much history they’ve witnessed in this community. Getting to hold them too is an honor I don’t take lightly.
Looking at everyone gathered in front of me, and Shinsu by my side, a smile stretches across my face as I angle the shears against the orange fabric. Cheers resound from the crowd as the ribbon separates and flutters to the ground, amplifying the exhilarated feeling rushing through my veins.
My heart swells as creatures slowly funnel into my shop, smiles and words of encouragement on their lips.
I lean against Shinsu as I watch them head to different sections, many of them pointing out changes I’ve made, and a large group lingering around the community board, discussing which events to sign up for.
I couldn’t have imagined a more perfect day.
Shinsu presses a kiss to my head. “You did it, Nori. You made your own dream come true. I know you don’t need to hear it from me, but I’m so proud of you.”
I wrap my arms around Shinsu’s waist and stare up at his beautiful face and the two pearlescent horns glinting in the sun. “Thank you. I don’t think I would’ve been brave enough to do this without you. Your support, all the planning sessions, the late nights we’ve worked together, the numerous trips into the city to get the right stock, it means so much to me.”
Shinsu cradles my face, his thumb brushing across my cheek. “You’re very welcome. I’ll always be here to help you with anything you need.”
“Well, since you’re offering…”
“Yes?”
I flutter my eyelashes at him, pretending this is a new idea and that I haven’t been practicing in secret over the past few weeks. “Can we go to The Singing Seahorse tonight? I have a little surprise for you. Just a small thank-you for everything.”
Shinsu’s eyes widen, anticipation building behind them. “Are you going to sing karaoke?”
I try my best to give him a nonchalant shrug, fighting off my blush that he’s already figured out my plan. “You’ll just have to wait and see. Now let’s head inside and celebrate this day with our community.”
Shinsu laces our fingers together. “You lead the way.”
Every night when I go to sleep, I think that day was the best day of my life. So far, each day has only gotten better, but it’s certainly going to be hard to top today as my current number one.
