Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64354 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
He dried his eyes on the cuff of his hoodie and said, “That was really nice of him.”
“It was.”
“So, what do we do first?”
“Well, I’ve already hired a lawyer, an architect, and a project coordinator. Just so you know, it’s going to be a long process. There’s a lot that needs to be done in terms of zoning, licensing, insurance, setting up a nonprofit, and so on, not to mention actually building out this space. But you don’t have to worry about that stuff.”
“What’s my role in all of this?”
“Your job is to dream big, Arie. I want you to write down all of your ideas, the entire wish list of everything you’d like to see in this place. You understand this community, and you know what it needs. Everything I mentioned and sketched out was just a suggestion, except for putting your name on the front of the building. That’s definitely happening.”
He grinned and said, “I was planning to talk you out of that.”
“Nope, sorry. That’s my one and only nonnegotiable. I know how humble you are, but I also know you’re an important part of this community, and your name belongs on the building. It’s your legacy.”
“Our legacy. I guess I can get used to having my name up there, but yours needs to be right beside it.”
“I’ll think about it.” He smirked at me, and I said, “Leave the sketchpad here, and let’s take a look at the rest of the place.”
As I led him on a tour, he asked, “What would you have done if I’d told you I hated this building?”
“That wasn’t going to happen. I knew you’d be able to look past what it was and see it for what it could be.” I draped my arm around his shoulders and grinned. “That’s basically what you did with me, now that I think about it.” That made him laugh.
We circled back around and stopped under the skylight in the main part of the building. “I’m so glad we’ll be doing this together,” Arie said. “I’d be afraid to dream this big on my own, but you make me believe anything’s possible.”
I traced the curve of his lower lip and said softly, “Do you know how much I love you?”
His eyes sparkled when he smiled. “I do, because you keep showing me.” He stretched up and kissed me, and then he wrapped his arms around me and rested his head on my shoulder. “I adore you, Tory, and I’m so grateful for this. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
As I held him and stroked his hair, he said, “I’m already picturing this place when it’s open and full of people, and laughter, and joy. Can you see it?”
I could see all of that and more.
Infinite possibilities.
And I could see our future unfurling ahead of us—all the years we’d get to spend together, all the memories we’d make, all the experiences we’d share. I tilted his chin up and kissed him again before whispering, “It’s going to be absolutely beautiful.”
The End