Page 78 of Call It Serendipity

And now that I stand here watching Garrison call for everyone’s attention, a very large part of me wants to hear that Carpenter Collection is being granted the property. That he’ll get to stay.

“We appreciate your patience as we worked through permits and codes and impact studies,” the trustee announces with gusto.

Slowly, the crowd’s chatter dies down to a dull hush. Pleased, he continues. “But we won’t be able to present you with a decision today.”

My heart leaps into my throat.

“Then what are we doing here?” someone near the front rows asks.

I look over at Jake, who quirks an eyebrow back at me.

“We are here to announce a development,” Garrison replies sternly. “The proposal by Carpenter Collection is no longer the only one being considered.”

I feel my jaw nearly unhinge as it falls open. And I’m not alone in my surprise. A wave of murmured gasps passes over the crowd.

“Okay, okay,” another board member cuts in. She casts a sharp look around the room like a parent scolding her children. “I am sure you all have many questions, but at this point we don’t have all the answers. But we will say that the other bid is highly intriguing. While the profit would be less, it seems like it could be a better option for our community.”

Another murmur passes through the meeting hall, and I turn to glance up at Jake with wide eyes. His expression is impassable—showing no signs of tension or distress, but maybe mild interest. I can’t imagine how I look gaping up at him.

“We will weigh this anonymous proposal against the Carpenter’s and then make a decision accordingly,” the trustee continues. “At that time, we will call another board meeting to share our decision with all of you.”

My grip on Jake tightens and he tips his head my way in response. “What does this mean for you?” I breathe.

He bites his cheek, considering. Then he says, “I think it means that Richard Carpenter is going to have to try to win over the townspeople of Ellicottville.”

And if I’m not mistaken, he sounds amused by this prospect.

44

The town files out with high spirits and guesses in the air about who the second bidder might be. But to my surprise, Lucy isn’t interested. In fact, she’s particularly quiet as we leave the hall and cross Washington Street.

It’s darker than when we entered, the sky now a brilliant dark slate blue with an explosion of stars. This is the kind of sky I want to see every night, not one that glows with the reflection of city lights instead.

I look from the stars to the woman beside me, feeling delighted by the turn of events this evening. But based on the pinch between her brows that peek out from her bangs, I might be the only one.

“Am I wrong, or are you not happy about this?” I ask, slipping my arm around her shoulders.

“It means you’ll leave,” Lucy murmurs. Her voice is quiet, muffled even by the way she tucks her chin into her coat. “A second bid means you might lose and then you’ll have no reason to be here.”

We turn down the alley behind the main strip of businesses, a short cut back to my apartment. But this route also affords us a hint of privacy from the dispersing crowd, and I stop walking, wrapping my arm inward and bringing her with it until she’s pressed against my chest.

“Luce,” I breathe, tipping my mouth down to skim hers. “I’d still have a reason to be here.”

Her bottom lip wobbles and I place a kiss there.

“I need you to know that.”

“I hoped,” she says with a shy smile. “But how would that work?”

With her hand settling in mine, we continue on our way. Glancing up ahead, I consider her question as I watch the halo of light above my apartment door blink in the distance. It comes in and out of view as nearly bare branches are jostled by the wind.

“Well,” I start, “I think this has been working already. Don’t you?”

“Being just Jake and Lucy, sure.”

My mouth hooks up in the corner. “I’m glad you agree.”

That earns a smile from her as well. And an eye roll. “But you know that’s not what I mean.”