Page 61 of Talk About… Dramay
There was a small dance studio on one side of me, and the other was a florist. This part of town was quiet and a little less busy than the rest, but that was just because of the vacant buildings around us.
My eyes caught on a new building across the street.
“What’s that?” Brandon’s eyes followed where I pointed and he grinned.
“That was some delicious small town drama. Sidney’s guys had a bit of a fuss over it since Maverick obviously owns the bar. Leo’s place is really nice. It’s got a jazz club vibe mixed with art deco style.”
“Okay, again, why are we here?” Lane asked, looking at the empty building.
“We’re trying to convince Ori to make a new life for herself here,” Brandon said, the answer not really giving them anything.
He was right, though. It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought the same since coming back, and made even more apparent by Cameron’s gift.
I’d spent so many weekends growing up hitting all the flea markets, estate sales, and garage sales I could to find the little treasures.
I loved the history they held, the meanings. Steve even had a friend who would assess them for me from time to time, help me identify the ones that had value, money, or were historically significant.
Each one told a story and I loved that no matter how many years passed, that they remained.
“Is someone coming to show us the rest?” I asked Brandon. The face he made was one of pure guilt.
“Okay, look, you know I have issues, right?”
My hands went to my hips and I glared. “What did you do, dad?”
He held up his hands. “Look, I figured if it didn’t work out, it was no big deal and we could just sell it again or make use of it. But sue me, I wanted to look out for my little girl.”
“Dad!” I exclaimed. “You can’t just buy a fucking building as a welcome home present!”
“I can and I did, literally the moment you said you were coming. I knew you’d be jobless and when your mom mentioned this place I had to do it. It’s not just me, but from all of us.”
“Mom?” I questioned. Again, shocked by her involvement.
“Yes, Little Bird. Your mom started this and I finished. We knew you’d need something to distract you from the boogeyman you called a mate. This was perfect. We’ve already got some of the inside fixed up. It’s yours if you want it.”
Tears burned at my eyes as he dangled a set of keys between us, tempting me.
I crushed him in a hug, ignoring the keys for a moment. They had always taken care of me, made sure I knew my worth.
Maybe that was why I had the strength to leave instead of staying here in Rockwood Valley after Cameron broke up with me.
He put the keys in my hand, curling my fingers around them. Roman pressed himself to my back as Brandon stepped away, likely sensing I could use the support.
“So, an antique shop?” he mused as I turned the key in the lock. I pushed it open and was hit with the strong scent of paint and fresh wood.
They really had fixed it up. The walls were a blank canvas, already primed and ready. The floors were a dark wood. There was a back hallway that I followed, leading to a basement that was finished and with enough shelves to house stock, as well as a long workbench in the middle for cleanup.
There was a bathroom and a break room as well.
It was honestly perfect. As I wandered around in stunned silence, I could picture the beautiful displays and shelves.
If I had it running before Christmas, I could even find adorable vintage Christmas ornaments and trinkets.
“So, what’s the verdict?” Brandon asked as he walked in, eyes shining with excitement. If there’s anything Brandon loves, it’s new adventures and decorating.
“Will you help set it up?” I asked. “Oh god, I’ll have so much to do. Find sales, acquiring antiques, and figuring out how to pay for them.”
“You have inheritance, remember?” Dad reminded me. “It’s been yours since you turned twenty-five. That and I still get your bank statements for it, your mate has been depositing in it every month for a little over twelve years. ”