Page 27 of Best Friends for Never

“But you’ve not been back to town since ... How long has it been now? Nine, ten years? I think we’ve gotten by just fine without one, don’t you?”

I muster up all my acting training so as not to react to his jab about my extended absence. “I might be the wrong person to ask about this, Leonard. I’m an actor, remember? I’ll always advocate for the arts.”

He’s still holding his smile, but it’s losing its warmth by the second. “Right. Sure. But we can all agree that bringing more revenue into this town would be a good thing, right? Like maybe a McDonald’s or a gas station? A new grocery store? Or a strip mall, for example? We’ve got to get more options here. Put our money and resources toward something more immediately lucrative. Maybe someplace to compete with Jill’s? Encourage Peggy to spruce the place up some?”

I might not live here anymore, but I know one thing—this town doesn’t need sprucing up. Sure, it has its quirks, but that’s what makes it such a unique stop for so many tourists. They don’t want strip malls, fancy gas stations, or fast-food joints. They want the small-town cozy feel they’re already getting. It doesn’t need to be “fixed.”

I guess I’m not surprised by his desire to bring in more commercial ventures to the town. I’m sure adding more businesses would cook up more drama, which would mean more buzz for Emerald Grove, and that’s what he and theGazettelive for—the attention.

“I’m firmly pro theater.”

His smile vanishes in a flash, and he turns his nose up at me. “I figured you’d feel that way, given who is involved in the rebuild and everything.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about, and I already hate myself for wanting to give in and ask him what he means, but I can’t help it. I guess a little Emerald Grove gossip lover is living inside all of us.

“Given who is involved? What do you mean?”

“Oh, you didn’t know?” he asks with faux innocence. “Why, the town’s restoration committee is headed by our very own Parker Pruitt.”

No. I would have known.Someonewould have mentioned it to me at some point. When the mayor called me about the ceremony, he didn’t say a word about Parker being part of this project. Granted, he didn’t mention much other than telling me six times that he got my number from Gran and that he wasn’t a stalker. He was strictly business, telling me where to be and when. That was it.

After seeing what she’s done to Rossi Café, I should have known Parker was behind the restoration. She loved that theater as much as I did when we were younger, maybe even more. It was as much her escape from the real world as it was mine. We spent many hours working there before and after school and in the summers. It makes sense she’d want to restore it.

“Right. No, I knew that,” I lie, praying he can’t tell. “It’s just early. I haven’t had my coffee yet. I was going to stop at the café, but—”

“It’s closed for renovations. Parker’s heading that, too, you know. She’s got her hands all over everything in town. If it’s been recently remodeled, Parker probably did it. Axel, too, of course. Those two can’t seem to go anywhere without the other.” His eyes narrow.

There’s definitely a story there, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to ask him about it, but I don’t have the energy to get into it now. I barely slept last night as it is, and I really could use a coffee.

“Well, I won’t keep you, Noel. I’m sure you’ve got lots to do to prep for the ceremony.”

Considering I’m just there for the celebrity element and to say thank you, no, not really, but if it gets me away from Leonard and his questions ...

“Yes, I still have so much to prepare, so I’d better get going. Great to see you again, Fi— Sorry. Leonard. Maybe we’ll catch up again before I leave.”

“Yes, yes. That’s wonderful.” Though his voice indicates he’d rather stick a fork in his eye than hang out with me.

I sidestep him, hustling down the sidewalk and far, far away from Leonard Figgins and his hatred for me.

By now, every shop on the main strip is open for business. I can feel every stare as I walk by Fran’s pie shop, their curious eyes burning into my head. I think about stopping in because she’s got the third-best cup of joe around, but it’s too busy, and I don’t feel like answering a million questions about being back.

My eyes catch theGazetteas I walk past the newsstand, and I groan at the headline on the front page.

Actor Noel Carter Returns to His Roots—Will the Hollywood Heartthrob Stay This Time?

I’m not sure how they managed to write a ten-paragraph article about my coming back. Even Gran was surprised they got an article out so fast since she never told anyone I was coming in early.

Looking back, there is a slight chanceI’mthe one to blame for the article about my early arrival getting published so fast. Maybe I should have opted for something a little more low key than the Porsche 911 that Vince picked out for me, but man, was it fun on those curves on my three-hour trek here.

I keep walking, passing by Jill’s Bait & Tackle and the bookstore, avoiding the few people who try to stop me. I cut down between Ruff ‘n’ Tough Dog Groomers and the local bar, Bigfoot’s Hideaway, and pop out the other side in front of the one place I never could seem to stay away from—the theater.

I look out at the abandoned space, surprised at how tight my throat gets seeing it in this state, and I can almost understand why Leonard thinks it’s best to tear it down and start fresh.

By the time I left, the doors were shuttered andDo Not Entersigns hung. The place was in rough shape due to the tree that fell through it, but nothing near what it is like now. Time has not been kind to it. The windows have been knocked out, the roof is caved in on one side, and there’s obvious deterioration everywhere you look. It was already old when I was a kid, but now it seems ancient.

The only sign of life the building shows is the sparkling new sign that readsFuture Home of the Noel Carter Theater.

Obviously, I knew it was being named that, but seeing it in person? It’s a whole different level of mortification.

---