Page 68 of Do It With Me

I’d worked too hard on it, poured too much of myself into getting the neighborhood involved, to give up now. After all the pain of the last couple weeks, I needed a win. Just one day where something good happened again.

With that thought in mind, I decided to get to work. If we were going down anyway, there really was no reason not to just do this right the hell now.

I pulled out my phone and started calling all the people who’d said they wanted to sell their stuff. Those who didn’t answer my calls, I sent texts or emails to, begging and even bribing some with coffee and muffins to take part even though they’d already accepted offers for their own stores, homes, or buildings.

In the end, almost everyone was in.

Before I’d even finished speaking to them all, the buzz started coming back to our community chats. Like this had given everyone something positive and hopeful to focus on.

By the time I was done, I felt lighter than I had in weeks. This market wouldn’t fix everything. It wouldn’t suddenly convince the developer to back off or those who had already agreed to their offers to reconsider, but it was something.

One last hurrah.

And there was only one person I wanted to share the news with. Well, there were two people, but only one was still available on a phone.

The other? I was hoping she already knew, that my mom was looking down on me, proud that I wasn’t just giving up and giving in straight away.

Holden answered after only two rings, even though it was the middle of the day and I knew he was swamped at work after taking so much time away from the office. “Ellora? Is everything okay?”

“I, uh, yeah. I’m fine. I’m better than fine, actually.”

A short pause came from his end of the line. “You are? That’s amazing news, but are you sure? You sound kind of weird.”

“This is what I sound like when I’m excited,” I said, and maybe it was just all the grief, mourning, and darkness finally lifting under this one, single ray of life, but I felt kind of giddy. “We’re doing Second Story Sunday. This weekend.”

“Wow.” He let out a low whistle under his breath. “Just give me a minute. I want to hear all about this, but I need to step outside. I’m in a meeting.”

My cheeks instantly heated and I planted my face in my open palm. “I can call back. I’m sorry. I should’ve asked⁠—”

“One minute.” I heard the rustle of him sliding his palm over the receiver, but less than thirty seconds later, he was back. “Second Story Sunday, huh? That’s a big deal. It’s really happening?”

“Yep. I finally reopened the store today and decided it was time to get this show on the road. Everyone I contacted agreed to participate and it’s going to be awesome. Will you be able to come?”

“For sure. It’s fucking fantastic that you’re going ahead with this. It was a great idea, but to be honest, I was a little worried you might’ve let it go.”

“Never,” I said, then added a little more quietly, “My mom loved the idea too. I couldn’t just let it go.”

Even if this might be the one and only time we do it.

“I can’t wait,” he said, sounding completely sincere. “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help you get ready for it. I’d be happy to help.”

For the first time in days, a soft laugh slipped out of me. “Thanks, but I think you’ve earned the right to just show up. We’ll be happy to have you. I’ll be happy to have you.”

“You will have me, Ellora. I have to get back to that meeting, but I’ll see you soon. You’re sure you’re okay?”

“I’m as good as I can be,” I said honestly, surprising even myself when I realized that it was true.

Despite everything life had thrown at me recently, I was still standing and I would keep doing it. Even if eventually, I might have to remain standing someplace else.