Her brows jumped. “Obtuse?” She blinked and glanced momentarily at me. “Well, those projections aren’t simply guesstimates. They are based on the current numbers for this location and the exponential growth it has seen since I began managing it five years ago. Storybook in Maple Grove isn’t simply a place to buy Christmas decorations and gifts… it is an experience. For as small as we are here, people travel from all over to come to our Christmas Fest. I think you’ll see just how mighty our little town is tomorrow at the parade.”
Tristan snorted and rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Like I’m sticking around for that. Helena and I are getting out of here first thing in the morning, aren’t we, babe?” He reached over and draped his hand on top of hers.
But rather than immediately agree with him, her gaze lifted, steeled directly onto me. “Oh, I don’t know. I might stick around longer.”
Tristan glanced between her and me.
“Christmas Fest in Maple Grove is an incredible week of merriment and festivities,” Dad said, and my mom nodded in agreement.
“In fact,” Avery said, her voice edging into a dangerous zone, “if you haven’t been here to experience the massive amounts of people who travel in simply for Christmas Fest and to visit our store, then maybe you’re the one being a bit obtuse.”
Across from me, Mallery laughed and quickly covered it by clearing her throat.
My Aunt Nancy chimed in, pulling her reading glasses off of her nose. “This looks really wonderful, dear. But stores of this size if we move forward with the expansion have several managers… not just one. They have assistants who manage each department, and the main manager needs to delegate tasks. Are you prepared for that? That’s a lot of work.”
“I am fully prepared for that,” Avery said with confidence.
“And she won’t be alone,” I said and tapped my knee to Avery’s beneath the table. “I’ll be moving to Maple Grove to help launch the expansion and run the store.”
“What?” Helena screeched. It took everything I had not to roll my eyes at my ex. As if she had any chance of getting back together with me… not that she was concealing her motivation for being here all that well. I almost felt bad for Tristan… almost.
There were a few glances and whispers around the table. I knew that people never expected me, the self-proclaimed city boy, to ever leave Boston. But I wanted to be here. I actually liked it here in Maple Grove… and in just four short days, I saw the opportunity here. And I was excited about it.
Beside me, Avery straightened, her spine going stiff. I had hoped for a slightly happier reaction. I certainly didn’t expect her to throw herself into my arms at the news, but I’d hoped for a smile or acknowledgment.
Instead, she kept her white-knuckled hands clamped on top of the table. “Yes. Mr. Pohle and I are fully prepared to work together on getting this expansion completed on schedule and managing the new and improved StoryBook flagship store.”
“Any other questions?” I asked. No one else lifted a hand or offered any other arguments. “Great. Let’s take a vote on this expansion and the proposed budget. All those in favor?” Every hand around the table lifted in the air… even Tristan’s. Helena gasped, her nostrils flaring.
“Tristan,” she hissed.
“What? It’s a pretty good proposal.”
Pretty good? It was fucking flawless. I ignored them and continued with the vote, according to our bylaws. “All opposed?”
No one raised their hand. And for good measure, I also had to ask, “Anyone abstaining?”
Again, silence. “Great. The matter of the Storybook Christmas Flagship Store Expansion in Maple Grove is approved.”
“Moving on—” I started to stand again, but I was quickly cut off by Tristan standing first.
“I would like to propose a new member to our board,” he said.
What? I looked around the table, trying to read the expressions of my dad, mom, and sister… but they all seemed as perplexed by this as I was.
Only Avery seemed unsurprised. Eerily calm. She leaned into me and whispered, “I’m going to use the restroom.” She scooted her chair back and without thinking, I placed my hand on her knee, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“You okay?”
She nodded, but her complexion looked pale… her expression drawn and far too grim for the win we should be celebrating. “I’m fine. I’m just not a board member, so I don’t have a part in the next order of business.”
She stood up and walked out of the dining room as I leaned back and listened to the absolute biggest load of bullshit I’d ever heard from my cousin.
Helena? On the Storybook Christmas board?
Over my dead body.
Chapter 21
Avery
He was planning to move here? I thought he said he was only planning to be in Maple Grove a few weeks? A few months at the longest with maybe a few pop-ins from time to time to check on the expansion?
I needed time to breathe… to think. And I really didn’t want to have to watch as they voted Helena onto the board. Not that I thought he would go running back into her arms… but it was glaringly clear that I didn’t belong here. I definitely didn’t belong at this party. And I didn’t think I even belonged on Chris’s arm.
I eased the bathroom door shut, betraying my urge to slam it. My lungs burned with each heaving breath. I liked Chris. Him staying in Maple Grove longer should be good news. But were we just setting ourselves up for heartbreak?
I looked into the mirror at my red-rimmed eyes, willing the tears away. Not now. Avery Pinkerton does not cry. Especially not at work and not in front of her boss. Though I wasn’t sure if I was referring to Jack or Chris in that moment.
The porcelain faucet handle was cold against my fingers. With a quick push, it opened the valve and water flowed from the faucet. I splashed my wet palms against my heated cheeks. Chris wants to stay in Maple Grove… but did he want to stay only because of me? Because of the store? Or did he truly love it here?
I wasn’t sure which answer was better. If he was only staying because of me, he’d eventually grow bored and leave. Or worse, he’d stay, realize he hated it here and resent me for the rest of his life.
Don’t be crazy, Avery. Chris was a grown man who could make decisions that didn’t completely hinge on who he’d slept with the night before. Yes, he likes me. He likes me despite the difference in our upbringing; despite the fact that he used to date a supermodel. But the store was his life. Without the store, he wouldn’t make this decision to move to Maple Grove. The store is the catalyst, not me.
I felt strangely better. A crushing weight lifted from my chest.
I blinked, looking in the mirror and trying to see myself the way he might see me. Big blue eyes that were pretty despite the bit of mascara running, thanks to my stupid tears. Full lips. High cheekbones.
Maybe more importantly, what did I see when I looked at Chris? Though his striking green eyes and boyish grin came to mind first, it was his laugh that stuck in my thoughts. The way he loved Kringle and would take him for a walk for me. The sweet way he played with the kids at the store. His passion for numbers and business and travel.