Just One Kiss (Fool's Gold #10)(61)

“Maybe a little. But it also sounds exciting.”

“I’m ready for exciting,” Noelle told her. “Adventure. Grabbing at life with both hands. I’m looking at renting that store over there.” She pointed through the window to the space next to the sporting-goods store.

“For what it’s worth, I’m jumping in the deep end, too,” Patience said. “Last week I was doing hair at a salon. Now I’m opening this.”

“Good for you,” Noelle said. “You’re brave.”

“Right now I feel stressed rather than brave, but I appreciate the compliment.”

Before Patience could ask what kind of business Noelle was going to open, the front door opened and at least ten more people pressed into the space. She and Noelle were separated by the growing throng. She felt like that scene from Titanic where the sinking ship had created a vortex and the swirling waters had pushed Jack and Rose apart.

She supposed an alternative explanation for that visual was that she hadn’t gotten much sleep in the past couple of days and she was a little punchy.

“Okay, okay, that’s enough.” Charlie pushed her way into the store. “Everybody out on the sidewalk. I have a whistle, people. It’s not a sound you’re going to enjoy. Don’t make me use it.”

Charlie, in uniform and looking more crabby than usual, turned to Patience. “You’ve officially violated fire codes with your success.”

Patience beamed. “Really?”

“Don’t look so happy about it. They’re going to have to stand outside and take turns coming in.”

Because there were too many people buying coffee, she thought. Too many people coming to her store. She impulsively hugged her friend.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“I wish everyone took bad news as well as you did.” But her eyes were bright with humor as she spoke.

Patience helped usher everyone outside. Cones had already been set up, blocking off part of the street. Ava said she would take care of letting people in and out to place their orders while the party spilled over the sidewalk.

Patience paused to smile at her mother. “We’re a hazard.”

“I know. Isn’t it wonderful?”

The official ribbon cutting was in a half hour or so. Patience knew the mayor would be there, along with most of the city council. All her friends, her teachers from her twelve years of public education and pretty much everyone she’d ever met in town. But even as she accepted congratulations, she couldn’t help scanning the crowd and wishing for the one person who wasn’t there.

Justice had probably gotten held up, she told herself. A delayed flight. He’d been working and maybe the job had gone on longer than he’d expected. All reasonable explanations, but she didn’t want any of them to be true. He’d told her he would be here and she’d believed him. So where was he?

She told herself that if there was a problem he would have called. Or at the very least, gotten in touch with Felicia, who could have passed on the message. But although the beautiful redhead had been by earlier that morning to buy a latte, she hadn’t said a word about Justice.

Lillie arrived with a couple of her friends.

“Mom, this is great! Look at everyone who came.”

“I know.”

“Are we rich now?”

“I wish we were, but not really.”

“Maybe next week?”

Patience laughed and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll put it on my to-do list.”

Lillie returned to be with her friends. It was closer to noon and the ribbon cutting. She should probably—

“Patience.”

She stood in place for a single heartbeat, then turned toward the low, familiar voice and saw Justice standing beside her. Relief eased the last of the tension in her stomach, and she flung herself at him. His tailored suit was smooth and cool to the touch.

“You’re back.”

He wrapped one arm around her and held on tight. “I am.”

“I was afraid you wouldn’t make it.”

“Here I am.”

She drew back and looked at him. He was pale, she thought. His eyes less focused than usual.

“Are you okay?”

“Fine. It was a long trip.”

She could understand a normal person being tired, but not Justice. It didn’t seem the sort of thing he would allow to happen.

He gave her a weary smile. “I wanted to be here for you, Patience.” He looked up. “The mayor is on her way. The ceremony is starting.”

“Okay.” She hesitated, studying him. “I feel like something’s wrong.”

“You’re imagining things.”

Before she could argue, her mother hurried over. “It’s time. Oh, hi, Justice.”

“Ava.”

“Did you try the cookies? You should get one before they’re gone. Everything is going so well.”

Patience watched her mother lead Justice inside the store. She wanted to follow, but there wasn’t time. Not with the official opening about to begin.

She glanced back at him, then turned toward the small podium that had been set up by the curb. But before she could get there, Pia touched her arm.

“Hey, hi. I wanted to apologize for my meltdown the other day.”