Page 213 of Worth the Trip

“You’re irritating.”

“Yet effective.”

“I’m gonna unplug you.”

That made her look over her shoulder. “From what?”

“Life.”

The woman in front of her laughed, and Nyla pointed toward her like she’d just submitted evidence.

“See? Community likes me.”

“Community’s known you six minutes.”

“And already recognizes excellence.”

I picked up a stack of tasting spoons instead of inserting myself into a problem Jasmine had already solved. Nyla’s eyes followed me.

“Growth.”

“Nyla.”

“What? One word.”

“You put entirely too much satisfaction in it.”

“That’s because I’m proud of you, Noli.”

I carried the spoons toward the sample table before she could turn that into a speech.

My nerves had been sharper before sunrise. I’d sat behind the wheel watching vendors build temporary little worlds across grass still damp from the night, wondering whether twelve inquiries and one successful application had any business becoming this real. A month ago, I would’ve dragged every possibility into a future before the present finished introducing itself. Leases. Staffing. Utility costs. Supply routes. Demographics.

Today, we had brought ice cream, books, our staff, and curiosity.

Curiosity could survive one Saturday without becoming a five-year plan.

A little boy wearing a red superhero cape approached with his mother and planted both palms against the counter.

“I want the pink one.”

“Strawberry shortcake?”

His head bobbed.

“One scoop or two?”

“Three.”

His mother laughed. “One.”

Betrayal rearranged his entire face.

I leaned closer. “Unfortunately, I’m legally obligated to follow the person with the wallet.”

He considered the injustice before nodding. “Okay.”

I scooped strawberry shortcake into his cup, then added a small spoonful of midnight chocolate truffle beside it.