"Hi, I'm calling about the Morrison building. Is it still available?"
"It is. Are you interested in leasing?"
"Maybe. Can I schedule a viewing?"
Twenty minutes later, Lucy was inside the Morrison building with a realtor named Patricia who seemed delighted to finally have interest in the space.
"It's been empty for three years," Patricia explained. "The owner's been hoping for the right tenant. Someone who'll bring life back to this part of Main Street."
The space was perfect. High ceilings, exposed brick, huge windows overlooking the street. The kitchen in back needed work, but the bones were good.
"I'm thinking a restaurant," Lucy said. "French-American fusion. Honoring classic French technique but using local ingredients and New England flavors."
"That sounds wonderful. What would you call it?"
Lucy hadn't thought about it. But standing in this space, imagining what it could become, the answer was obvious.
"Margaret's. After my grandmother."
Patricia smiled. "I think she'd love that."
Lucy took photos, measurements, notes. By the time she left, her head was spinning with possibilities.
This could work. This could really work.
She was pulling out her phone to text Uncle Walter when she saw Jake's message.
Jake:Can we talk? Not at Mac's. Somewhere more private?
Lucy's heart started pounding. This was it. Either he'd decided to give her a second chance, or he was going to tell her he couldn't.
Lucy:When?
Jake:Tonight? 7 PM? We could go to the overlook.
The overlook—the spot where Jake had taken Lucy when she'd sold the bakery. The place where they'd talked about hard things and held each other through decisions.
Lucy:Okay. I'll meet you there.
Jake:See you then.
Lucy checked the time. 4 PM. Three hours to figure out what to say. Three hours to prepare for whatever came next.
She walked to Rei's physical therapy office. Rei was between patients, and when she saw Lucy, she immediately pulled her into the back room.
"What's wrong? You look panicked."
"Jake wants to talk. Tonight. At the overlook."
"Okay. That's good, right?"
"Is it? What if he's going to tell me he can't do this? That he can't trust me again?"
"Then you'll survive. Lucy, you came back for you. Remember? Your restaurant, your life, your dreams. Jake is part of that, but not all of it."
"I know. But I want him to be part of it. I love him, Rei."
"I know you do. So tell him that. Be honest. Be vulnerable. Let him see how much you've changed."
