“When he was in the store that time he seemed pretty obnoxious.” I think back to the five minutes I spent with him and how he insulted me and talked to me like I was beneath him. “Do you really think we should...”
“Not we,” he says, swallowing hard. “I’m not sure the both of us approaching him is a good idea. There was definitely friction when you met. That was obvious. I was thinking I could talk to him.” He takes a pause, as if to make sure he wants to say what he is going to say. And then the word comes out. “Alone.” He looks down.
“Just the two of you?” I can’t hide my discomfort about the idea. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save the buildings, and if I thought the two of them having a meeting would work then I would support it, but we already have a plan in place, a good one. I think we should stick to it and not go rogue. Of course there’s also the fact that the very thought of Prescott and that jerk being alone together makes me more than a little uncomfortable. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. I know you have your heart in the right place but it smells too much like a backroom deal,” I say keeping my reasons purely professional although I’m aware they are tinged with personal jealousy.
I know Prescott said Worth was in his past but still they shared something. I get a flash of walking in on my ex and how painful that was. But Prescott isn’t like that. I never fully trusted Paul and everything with Prescott feels different.
“The whole point is to bring the community together, not shut people out. I really think we should stick with the plan we have. You heard Serilda. If Worth doesn’t see reason we’ll be ready to meet those bulldozers on the street, all of us, together,” I say praying he’ll agree with me. We’ve been on the same wavelength recently but maybe my signals have been crossed. Is he going to fly solo or is he going to be on the same team with me?
“It was a bad idea,” Prescott says quickly. “You’re right. We have a plan in place. Let’s stick to that.” He puts the last stack of poster boards in the pantry and comes back out with both our coats. “Let’s go over to the Honeysuckle, meet up with everyone and fight over who gets the bigger marshmallow.”
I smile and kiss him on the cheek. He grabs my hand and we walk out the door together. I’m hoping it’s Team Us all the way but I’m wondering if the home court advantage is enough to guarantee a win.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Danny
The night of the city council meeting with Worth is one of the coldest I can remember. The air is clear but so frigid it feels almost hard. Prescott and I have started holding hands while walking more often than not, but tonight is so ridiculously bleak that we just walk side by side with our hands in our pockets. I was planning to chatter away in case there were any last-minute nerves but both our faces are covered in scarves so we walk in silence.
We get to the room in the municipal building where the meeting is scheduled and there are a few members from the planning commission, a good group of people from the shop with their handmade signs, and the very man himself. Jefferson “Worth” Worthington is already seated, looking like a filtered Instagram post come to life.
“Press, it’s so good to see you again. I wish it were under better circumstances,” Worth says, extending his arm. They shake hands which is more physical contact than I want them to have but certainly a safe-enough interaction. I suppose Prescott has to be friendly to the opposition; it’s good sportsmanship.
The meeting begins, everyone takes their seats and Serilda explains our position. Then I make a short but passionate speech about the bank. I emphasize the almost-intergalactic design and explain how many of the small shops in town got their first loans at that branch. My talk is a mix of ethnography, tribute and stand-up comedy. When it’s Prescott’s turn to talk about the historic significance of the Yardley House he is clearly in his element. He’s able to make details that a few weeks ago would have seemed duller than an NPR membership drive Raiders of the Lost Ark–exciting. I’m absolutely swelling with pride when he speaks and it makes me even more determined to rip his clothes off when we get out of here.
We end our presentation and the room is silent. Surely after hearing how important these buildings are Worth will at the very least reconsider or commit to finding a compromise. I look at Worth, who is looking at Prescott...who is looking at me. It’s a tense moment. Worth breaks his focus on Prescott and says, “A most interesting presentation. Thank you very much. I came here to listen and listen I did. Well done.” He’s praising us but I can tell it’s a sucker punch. “But from a financial point of view, it makes more sense to tear them down. I’m looking out for the best interests of the investment. The parking facility will be very tasteful and as for all that nostalgia about the bank...well, you’ll make new memories. Parking in this town is a nightmare. More places to park means more shoppers to shop. I’m doing you all a favor.”
“A favor!” Serilda’s voice has bite. Their tone is sharp and dangerous.
“Look, I’m not some heartless villain,” Worth continues. “I love architecturally significant buildings as much as anyone, but let’s face it, despite Dan’s passionate speech about the bank that place is a dump and since the buildings share a support my hands are tied. But I have to be honest. I love the energy in this room tonight. I really, really do.” He is so condescending you could play a clip of his statement on YouTube for those seeking a definition of the word. “Unfortunately the bulldozers will be on site as planned.” Worth gets up and everyone starts talking at once, yelling at him to reconsider. Everyone except Prescott, who sits quietly without so much as a single peep of protest.
Serilda is almost shouting at Worth when he turns and says, “I’m sorry, but there is nothing more you can do.” His words send a chill over the room and he’s almost out the door but then zooms in on Prescott and says, “It was nice seeing you, Press. I do hope we can do it again. Soon.” The words come out of his mouth like slime through a soft-serve machine. He walks out and I immediately to turn to Prescott, who still hasn’t said a word.
“Why didn’t you say something?” I ask.
“What could I say? There’s nothing we can do.”
I’m so disappointed right now. I expected Prescott to be as incensed as I am. His silence feels painfully loud.
“He thinks there’s nothing we can do,” Serilda says. “But he doesn’t know our community. Those bulldozers are scheduled to be here next week and we’ll be waiting for them. It’s time for an old-fashioned protest. We’ll need as many people as we can get. Can one of you contact the supporters who weren’t here tonight and let them know the protest is on? Ask them to spread the word. We are taking over the street.”
“Yes,” Prescott says. “I can do that.” He looks so utterly defeated that I can’t help shutting down whatever frustration or disappointment I’m feeling in order to make him feel better.
“That’s great,” I say grabbing his hand, hoping to pump a bit more enthusiasm into him. I bring him in for a hug and although he squeezes me as tightly as ever, something feels off. We release the embrace and he won’t meet my eyes. Instead he looks down and he bites his lower lip. His mind is somewhere else and I can’t help wondering where that might be.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Prescott
I’ve been quieter than usual around the store the past few days. The city council meeting threw me for a loop. Danny was brilliant, of course. He had everyone eating out of the palm of his hand. I even saw Worth crack a smile at one point. That’s Danny. He can charm anyone, even a bore like Worth.
My talk was stodgy and uninspiring. Maybe it was unlikely that Worth was ever going to come away from that meeting changing his mind, but my presentation didn’t do us any favors. I feel like I disappointed everyone and most importantly, I feel I disappointed Danny.
I’ve never felt a part of something like this and I don’t want to see it fail. So when Worth texted me saying he wa
nted to meet with me privately because he had “big news” and that I was the only one who had a chance at helping “the cause” I agreed. I’ve been nauseated about it ever since.
Danny keeps trying to pull me out of my shell, but knowing I have this secret between us makes it impossible for me to relax. I’m just hoping Worth has something real to discuss. My stomach roils once again. To calm myself down I have to imagine the look in Danny’s eyes when he finds out I was able to save these historic landmarks. I realize for the first time I’m actually more concerned about the First Bank of Bucks than I am about the Yardley House. I respect the Yardley House and appreciate it for its unique contribution to architectural design, but lately I’ve been walking by the bank and appreciating it just as much. The bank really is a memory of a better future, as Danny is always reminding everyone. I’m not sure if I’m expanding my aesthetic taste or if my feelings about it are simply entwined with my feelings for Danny and my own hopes for the future.
Danny always leaves early on Wednesdays to help at St. Stanislaw so I’ve arranged for Worth to meet me at the store. I’d rather be meeting him in another town or a different state altogether but with Danny taking the van to the church my only option is the store since at least I can lock the door. I stare at the hands on my Cartier clock and I’m almost shaking with nerves as they tick closer to three o’clock. For a brief moment I think about telling Danny everything. I want to be open with him about it but I’m finding the thought of having the conversation just too impossible. I need to find out what Worth has to say. If he’s leading me on, I’ll kick him out. If he has information that’s useful we’ll be able to reach our goal. Still, I wonder if that victory would be sweeter if we did it together. The clock creeps ahead and my stomach gets tighter. There’s no turning back now.
“Look at the time,” I say as naturally as a robot that hasn’t been oiled. “You don’t want to be late. Isn’t Kasia expecting you soon?” Danny is rearranging some of his merchandise on a shelf.
“I didn’t realize how late it is. I better get going. Are we still on for pizza tonight? I’ve been in the mood for a slice of Gaspo’s pie since I went to bed last night.”
“Absolutely. Now hurry up. You don’t want to keep Kasia waiting. Didn’t they need you to move a piano or something?” I say hoping to get him out the door so there is no chance of him running into Worth.
“Meet you at the pizzeria after you close up the shop?”
“Great,” I say, my stomach in a potent twist of knots and butterflies. Danny grabs his coat and hat from the hooks in the pantry and heads to the door. He puts his hand on the doorknob but stops and turns back to me.
“What?” I ask trying to hide nervous frustration.
“I forgot this.” He walks over and kisses me on the lips softly and heads out.
I collapse at my desk and hang my head in my hands. My plan has got to work. I take a second to gather my thoughts and then look out the windows to make sure Danny is gone.
With Danny out of the shop and Worth not yet here I’m able to complete another task I’ve been needing to do in private. I walk over to Danny’s desk and get a closer look at the tin where he keeps his receipts.
Luckily he has left it out of the drawer so I don’t feel like I’m invading his privacy too much. The tin displays the words Amore Chocolate in swirly brown and red script. On the front of the beat-up tin there is a drawing that I have not looked at closely before. A man in a fedora drinks from a cup with a big hearty smile. I take a closer look before I snap a picture so I can go online later and see if I can find a hoodie with the image. He loves his hoodies, and I’ve been wanting to get him something special.
As I swipe my phone screen closed, I realize the man in the hat bears a striking resemblance to Danny—same big smile. I wonder if that is why this box is so precious to him. Maybe someone recognized the resemblance and gave it to him as a gift.
My heart drops when I hear someone at the door. I know exactly who it is. I quickly put my phone in my pocket and get ready to invite the vampire in.
Worth glides into the shop. His smugness surrounds him like a cloud of gray smoke. The sudden realization that Worth is alone with me in the shop hits hard. This is exactly the scenario Danny did not want and I’ve allowed it to happen. I should shove Worth right out the door but before I can make that decision he walks toward me.
“Press, I have to say that country life agrees with you. You look more dashing than ever.”
“Worth, this isn’t a social call. You said you had information that will help. So what is it?”
Worth ignores me. He starts casually walking around the shop browsing the merchandise. He picks up a Samuel Alcock porcelain vase with burgundy trim and an exquisitely painted pastoral scene on it. He admires it closely. Then he puts it down and sneers at Danny’s side of the shop.
“For the life of me I’ll never understand how something as impeccable as this vase can be in the same room with all this trash. The two just do not belong together.”
I will not have Worth come in here and insult Danny or his collectibles. “Worth, if you just came here to start trouble...”
“Not at all,” he says taking off his coat and sitting next to my desk. “In fact, I came here to ask you something. Please sit down,” he says with a petulant sigh. Reluctantly I take a seat at my desk but I move the chair as far away from him as possible.
“So what did you come here to ask?” My voice is colder than the icicles that cling to the shop’s awning. He stares right at me, his eyes slowly taking in the features of my face in a way that makes me deeply uncomfortable.
“What facial moisturizer are you currently using? Your skin is flawless and all the dry heat this winter has simply made my skin rougher than the roads out here.”
“Worth, if that is what you came here to ask you can just leave.”
“Well, excuse me for being distracted but it’s hard to focus when your skin is so...” He reaches his hand toward my cheek and then moves his face even closer to mine. His hand is perhaps about to brush my cheek when I grab it and hold it a few inches from my face. I don’t want him to touch me.
“Worth, this is your last chance to...”
“Fine,” he says with a pout. “I was thinking about your talk the other night...”
“Yes?” I prod. Is it possible that Worth has finally accepted how important these two buildings are?
“Well, mother is hosting a huge event in Philadelphia at the club. Very Main Line. Super posh. And suddenly I had this brilliant idea. Why don’t I ask my old friend Press to give one of his little lectures? I remember how stunning you look in a tux. I’d consider it a personal favor.”
I laugh right in his face. “You would, would you? Worth, why in the world would I do a favor for you?”
His eyes widen in mock surprise. “Oh, did I forget to mention my news? See I was so distracted by your flawless appearance that I forgot myself completely. You know how these things work, one hand washes the other as they say. I thought you would do me this favor if I saved the building.”
“Are you serious?” I ask.
“Sure.” He shrugs as if he couldn’t care less either way.
“Really?” I ask my eyes wide. “Thank you, Worth,” I say wondering if I should be waiting for the other shoe to drop. But my enthusiasm gets the better of me and I go to shake his hand. He takes the opportunity to lean in and go for a kiss on my cheek. I don’t want him anywhere near me in that way. My hand reaches for my cheek instinctively and wipes the spot where his lips touched. I get up and stand behind my chair like a shield.
“I can’t wait to let everyone know. They’ll be thrilled.” Of course I’m most excited to let Danny know the bank will be saved. “I’m glad there won’t be bulldozers in the street,” I say in a business-like tone.
He laughs and stands up. “Oh, I didn’t say that. Mayb
e you didn’t hear me. I said we can save the build-ING. As in singular. One.”
“I thought that they were dependent on each other structurally. They said that if one goes down then the other goes down too.”
“I guess some things just don’t belong together,” he says wrinkling his nose and glancing around the shop. “The engineers may or may not have found a way around that. We don’t really need all that space with both lots so we can save your Yardley House. It’s the whole reason you got involved with this hippie-dippie group. Isn’t that what you want?”
“No,” I say immediately. I could never sacrifice the bank. When I first saw those buildings together I never thought I’d see them as equals. They seemed incompatible. But Danny has showed me that the bank is just as beautiful as the Yardley House. He’s taught me that staying open to new experiences can have greater reward than risk.
I look over at Danny’s side of the shop and his hot chocolate tin catches my gaze. The man in the graphic reminds me so much of Danny and I think of him greeting people as they walk in the store like they’ve come to tell him he won the lottery and offering them a cinnamon snap from his Snoopy cookie jar. Or how he gets me to open up about myself and let down my walls. I don’t want to be alone in a beautifully gilded cage. Danny treats every day like the circus has come to town and for the first time in my life I want to be inside that tent. With him.
I could never agree to let Worth destroy something Danny has worked so hard to fight for. It would destroy our relationship. It’s all or nothing. “Get out!” I say trying not to let the anger I’m feeling take over my whole body.
I should never have done this. I should never have met with Worth alone. For somebody as educated as I am this was a pretty dumb thing to do. If I can get him to leave immediately I can just pretend this never happened.
The Beautiful Things Shoppe Page 17
