Page 208 of Worth the Trip

“It was.”

“Then I’m proud of you.”

No claim.

No implication that I’d done it because of him.

Just pride.

Another notification appeared.

The sender made my stomach jump.

Black Excellence Community Festival Vendor Selection

“It’s them.”

“The festival?”

I nodded and opened the email.

My eyes moved through the first paragraph too quickly to understand it. I started over.

“Well?”

“Hold on.”

“Hershey, you reading like they changed English.”

“Be quiet.”

He laughed.

I read it again.

Crème & Chill had been selected as a featured dessert vendor. The committee had granted us a larger booth than we’d requested after reviewing Scoops & Stories and invited us to include a literacy component.

I looked toward the screen.

“We got in!” Landon’s celebration arrived immediately. “Aye!”

He clapped once and leaned toward the camera, looking absurdly proud for somebody who had contributed absolutely nothing to the application.

I laughed. “We got in?”

He stopped himself. “You got in. I’m emotionally affiliated.”

“Corporate boundaries?”

“Respecting them beautifully.”

“Good.”

“Congratulations, love.”

The laughter faded enough for the moment to reach me.

“They saw Scoops & Stories.”