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I sadly nod as I feel tears falling down my face. She reaches over the counter, grabs a few napkins, and hands them to me.
“Thanks,” I whisper.
“What’s with the box?” she asks.
I shrug. “First-edition books for the library. We’re going to have a special exhibit soon, if I get this grant,” I say but suddenly I’m not as excited. All the anticipation I had when I had left a month ago and gone to the Wellington Estate, all the excitement is gone.
“Hey, that’s great news! This is the grant you needed a match for, yes?” Ella asks.
“This girl is gonna make the library so much better,” Elisha encourages from behind the counter as she sets down Ella’s tea and then comes around to set one in front of me.
“Now you’re just being kind,” I manage in between my dying hiccups.
“That’s not true. Look at everything you’ve already accomplished. If Adam can’t see how amazing you are, then he’s the only person in this town who’s blind to it,” she says, her voice filled with grit. I want to argue that that’s not the issue, but I’m too tired to argue with Elisha.
“What can we do to help?” Ella asks. I give her a sad smile. She’s always so sweet and helpful. And I know she has it far worse than me.
“I’ll survive. I’ll just focus on the winter festival,” I mutter as I reach for the tea.
“Oh crap, it’s like in this weekend, right?” Ella questions.
“Damn straight. It’s gonna be lit!” Elisha says enthusiastically.
I laugh and Ella tries to hide a giggle.
Two young girls at the corner table with their computers try to hide giggles.
“Oh, for the love of…can I seriously not say that? I give up!” Elisha states with hands on her hips. “I’m either too old to say things or I’m talking too old. Is there some not old but not young appropriate lingo for me?” she asks.
Ella smiles at her. “I say talk however you want.” She gives me another brilliant Ella smile. “I’m serious about helping at the festival when I finish my morning cleaning. I hope…well, I hope you feel better,” she adds.
“Thanks, Ella,” I say quietly as she nods and heads out the door.
“Come on, I’ll get you a cookie and then we are going to come up with a plan to get this grant,” Elisha states as she motions to the box of priceless books. I know I should feel better with my best friend helping me, but deep down, I just want Adam to be here, and that hurts more than not having my grant. But if I learned one thing from him, it’s to persevere no matter what happens. And that lesson now feels bittersweet since I’m doing it despite him.
CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE
Adam
I stare at the screen. They can’t be serious. I had the dwelling on the property inspected and it needs so much work, it’s pointless trying to save it. And I had wanted to save it for so many reasons. That assessment had ruined my plans for it. Except now the owners won’t sell unless I agree to a condition to preserve it, which will cost me substantial time and money. I pick up my phone and call Cruz.
“Before you start, I’m just the bearer of bad news. I tried twelve different ways to get them to agree to something else, but they won’t budge,” he states.
“Did you call the attorneys?”
“Yep.”
I feel my jaw clenching. “Did you check with our—”
“Adam, I’ve tried it all. This isn’t my first dog and pony show. We either commit to restore it and use it for…well, something, or we walk…and if we walk…” He trails off because I know he’s afraid to say it.
“Titan wins. He gets the property and we lose our last hope to ward off his takeover,” I state. I know Titan’s figured out my move because he’s been trying to get this property for the last week.
“Fuck it. Tell them…” I stop as I look down and see something sticking out from a pile of papers on my desk.
I pull it out. It’s a book Isa was reading. A sad smile ghosts my lips. I look around my office. Ames and Isaac are curled up in the corner asleep. They’ve seemed as glum as me the past few days.
“Adam?” Cruz interrupts my thoughts.
