Page 123 of Everything Has Changed
The chuckle that bubbles up from my chest feels foreign after the stress of the last week, but I can’t deny that it doesn’t feel good. It loosens something tight within me and I slump into the arm of the couch at my back.
“I fucked up.” I probably shouldn’t drop an f bomb in front of her, but it’s the truth and that’s what she asked for.
Her head nods slowly. “Yes, you did.” She smirks at the shock on my face. “If you wanted someone to coddle you, you came to the wrong house.”
Choosing honesty, I continue on. “I don’t want that. What I want is your help to get a movement started.”
Her eyebrows shoot up, this time surprise overtaking her. “And how do you expect me to do that?”
“By making sure everyone knows just how much of a force your granddaughter is.”
Ophelia’s smile unfurls in slow motion. First one side, then the other. Her eyes shining with a mischievous glint that I recognize from the woman that has consumed my being lately.
“That sounds like a pretty good idea, so far.” Pushing off the couch, she claps her hands together. “How about we get some tea on and start brainstorming.”
42
Gwendolyn
The whole town seemingly dulls in the couple of days following the announcement at the gala. From what I understand, no one really stuck around after we left, except for a few of the business owners who demanded to know all of the details right then and there. Of course, Mr. Spencer declined any further discussion, stating that the night was about celebration and if people didn’t want to celebrate, then they could leave. So they did.
Since the event was held on a Sunday evening, the town had come together and agreed that Monday would be slow to start. I was thankful for that as I didn’t feel the need to rush into the cafe and start the new week. It allowed me time to sit on the couch with Piper and wallow in self-pity. And nurse the wicked hangover thanks to the bottles of wine we consumed afterward.
We both were on high alert, listening for Logan’s door to open and close. For any bit of movement down the hall or below the balcony that signaled he was in the vicinity. But no noise came. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that considering the only other place I could think of that he would stay was with his parents or Camila.
Even though we never heard him come in, we both snuck out like two teenagers not wanting to be caught by our parents when we leftaround noon to grab some food at the diner before going into the cafe to take over for the afternoon. By the time we strolled in a couple hours later, Ophelia was already there baking away a fresh batch of treats. The look on her face told me she knew.
“Your brother told me all about it when he picked up Rowan this morning.” She gathers me in her arms, rubbing my back in soothing circles. "Not to mention all the busybodies whispering around town.
“How do you feel about this, Ophelia?” Piper slides behind the counter and begins crafting us some drinks without having to ask if I needed one.
“I think the Spencers are greedy motherfuckers.”
“Grandma!”
“Hell yeah, Ophelia!”
My grandmother laughs at my shocked face. “What? I think if any time warranted a well-placed curse word, it’s now.”
“Too true, girl.” Piper chuckles from the espresso machine.
“But…” she drags out.
I quirk a brow at her. “But what?”
She sighs, taking a seat on the high stool we moved behind the counter just for her. She had not had any dizzy spells since the last time, but I wasn’t taking any chances with her.
“I think we should all be willing to hear what the whole story is before we whip out our pitchforks and fire.”
I threw my arm up in outrage. “What more could we need to hear? They want to turn our sweet small town into a city.”
“Do we know that for sure?”
“Nope,” Piper hands me my coffee, which I gulp down quickly. “They refused to answer any questions.”
Ophelia nods. “Okay, then we demand they do so. We demand a Town Hall meeting. Which is what they should have done before any of this was put into motion, I would like to add.”
“Then what do we do?”
