Page 99 of Meant to be Mine

“Ready?” she asked when she saw me.

“Yeah.”

We walked out together through the back entrance.

“Want to come over?” I asked.

“I wish, but I have to check in at home. My parents are going to get the wrong idea.”

“Wrong idea?”

“About us.”

I didn’t know how to feel about that.

“Right,” I said. “I’ll get you home.”

32

KENSEY

The following day, I looked around the store through the back entrance, my feet aching from being on them all day. The space looked incredible. All the displays were in place, the signage was perfect, and the inventory was organized. Tomorrow was going to be insane, but tonight it was just quiet anticipation.

Drew was still in his office dealing with last-minute phone calls. I made my way up the stairs, my hand trailing along the railing. When I pushed open his door, I found him at his desk, staring at his computer screen with a furrowed brow.

“Hey,” I said softly.

He looked up and his expression immediately softened. “Hey yourself. I ordered Chinese. Hope that’s okay.”

“That’s perfect.” I dropped into one of the chairs across from his desk. “I’m starving.”

“It should be here in about ten minutes.” He closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair.

“Everyone’s gone,” I said. “It’s just us.”

“Finally.”

I kicked off my shoes and wiggled my toes.

He stood and came around the desk, perching on the edge of it in front of me. “You did incredible work today. I mean it. I couldn’t have pulled this off without you.”

“You could have,” I said. “But I’m glad I could help.”

“Tomorrow’s going to be massive. We’re expecting a big crowd.”

“I know.” My stomach flipped with a mixture of excitement and nerves. “Are you ready?”

“I think so. The team knows what they’re doing. Security is locked in. The vendors are prepped. Micah’s changes elevated the look.” He paused. “My parents are coming.”

“Max and Tiana?”

“Yep. And they’re bringing the whole circus with them.” He grinned. “All their celebrity friends, the New York Blackwells, everyone. They’re flying in with the kids even though they’re all still tiny. It’s going to be a whole thing.”

I tried to imagine what that would look like. Max and Tiana Blackwell were Hollywood royalty. Everyone knew who they were. And their friends were the kind of people you saw on magazine covers and award shows. Drew was used to all of the A-list people. I wasn’t. I didn’t want to suddenly get starstruck and embarrass myself.

“That’s a lot of pressure,” I said.

“I guess.” He didn’t look worried though. “But it’s also a huge opportunity. If this goes well, it puts us on the map in a way that no amount of advertising could.”