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Roni found herself reaching for his hand as her anger evaporated into the air. “I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you. It’s why my mom is working overtime down at the coffee shop. She wants it to still be running well when Dad is ready to return. It gives her something to do, something she can control.”
“Oh, that is… that is so hard,” Brianna said, looking at Roni.
“Oh, all right. I’m sorry I overreacted at Frankie’s this morning. A little,” she added begrudgingly.
“Just a little?” Brianna asked with a grin.
“How was I supposed to know. Someone didn’t tell me.” She looked at Jimmy pointedly, her lips twisting. “Besides, I’m not the only one whose business is hurt. Nicole said they haven’t had as many Santa visitors and Candy isn’t selling nearly as many cupcakes.”
“But,” Brianna interjected. “I think we can all now admit it’s not because of Frankie’s. It’s because of the entire Riverwalk shopping center.”
“Yes, I know,” Roni admitted. “The Riverwalk is really nice. We can totally understand why so many people are choosing to go there.”
“People like different and new,” Owen said as he picked up another slice. “Except me. I don’t care how many pizza parlors they open, I will always return to Angelo’s.”
They all laughed and agreed.
“How did it go with Hannah today?” Brianna asked. “Did she agree to do the light show?” Brianna turned to Owen and Jimmy. “We want to add a little something extra to our Caroling Kickoff to get people to come back downtown. We’re thinking about adding some arts and crafts or baking classes to Roni’s place at night.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Jimmy said.
“Hannah said no to the light show for this year, but we can definitely do one next year,” Roni said. “And on the night of the Caroling Kickoff, we’re going to throw a Christmas festival in the park. That should draw in some extra people.”
“Really? I like the sound of that,” Owen said. “Can we get a spot for our trees?”
“Absolutely,” Roni answered, pushing her plate a few inches away.
“Does your family still sell Christmas trees?” Jimmy asked him.
“Yep, we sure do. Eric runs it now.”
Jimmy leaned back. “Nice. I need a tree for the coffee shop. I promised my mom I’d pick one up.”
Owen stood. “We can head over there now, if you want.”
“Actually, Owen, we need to do some Christmas shopping,” Brianna said, reaching up and placing a hand on his arm. “But I’m sure Roni can go with him.”
Everyone turned and looked at her. Going with Jimmy to pick out a tree for his mom’s tree trimming event the night of their Caroling Kickoff did not sound like something she wanted to do. She was about to say so when Brianna kicked her under the table.
“Uh, yes.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Of course, we can do that.”
“Pick out a Christmas tree for Frankie’s?” Jimmy asked with a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I told you I forgive you,” she said, and she had for Frankie’s, but not for leading her on all year about moving back to Pineville. He made her believe there was a chance for them, and she’d wanted that, so badly. And the worst part was, she still did.
He smacked a hand against his chest. “Be still my heart. Roni has bestowed her forgiveness on me.”
They all burst out laughing, and Roni threw a piece of sausage from her plate at him.
Owen sat back down. “I, for one, am not surprised you two are in competition over your coffee shops.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Roni asked, looking at him sideways.
He grinned. “You two were always in competition about something in school.”
Roni shook her head, looking at Brianna for support. “No, we weren’t.”
