" I guess that's a fair way to do it," Reina remarked.
Hudson walked to the front of the room and stood next to Eve.
Bill waved his schedule in the air. "If the pipes were installed around the same time, shouldn't you go by the date of original installation?"
Eve cleared her throat. "Hudson, you want to take questions about the repair schedule?"
Eve stepped back as Hudson moved to the podium. "We don't know the exact dates of installation, and this was the only other metric that seemed fair. Everyone wants their pipes done first, but that's just not possible."
"What happens if another shop floods?" Bill persisted.
"Then we'll mitigate the damage and repair that building next. I have two crews set up and ready to go. One will work on any damaged buildings; the other will do preventative maintenance. If there aren't any more breaks, then we'll have two crews on repairs."
Eve stepped forward. "We realize not everyone will be happy with this plan. But we had to come up with something that would work, and this is what we decided."
"I think mine should be done first. I'm one of the original owners," Bill said.
"You're certainly the loudest," Clara mumbled next to me, and the other women covered their laughs with their hands. I couldn't find amusement in any of this.
"I understand that you'd like to be first, but this is the solution that we came up with—" Hudson began, but Eve stepped forward.
"We welcome your feedback, but at the end of the day, this is my town, and I'm responsible for the buildings. This is the plan I created with Hudson, and this schedule is our best option."
Bill slapped the paper down on his thigh. "If you've already made your mind up, then why have a meeting at all?"
"We're here to answer your questions and alleviate any concerns. We know that everyone is worried about another pipe bursting, and we wanted to assure everyone that we're doing our best to mitigate that risk."
At the end of the day, she owned the town and the buildings. The decision was ultimately hers. I hoped Bill accepted that and didn't do something crazy like threaten a lawsuit.
Bill stood. "What about my other concern?"
And the wind rushed out of my diaphragm in one whoosh. This was it. The moment when he attempted to blow up my livelihood and everything I'd built.
The women next to me straightened their spines. I had to remember I wasn't alone in this. I had these women and, hopefully, Hudson at my back.
I couldn't shake the feeling that he had his own position in all of this and that was maintaining his contract with Eve.
"And what was that?" Eve asked, her brows raised.
Bill turned and pointed at me, and everyone turned to look. "Her lingerie store's lease is up in a couple of weeks. No one wants her shop here. Her shop is already closed, so it's a no-brainer to keep it that way. Then you can use two crews for repairs and leave her building the way it is for now."
I felt like he'd punched me in the stomach, and I couldn't seem to breathe as everyone began talking at once.
"The lease on another store isn't any of your concern," Eve said.
"You promised you'd sign a temporary lease with Angela and reevaluate the value of the shop once it was done. Well, time's up, and the store is closed. It's the perfect time to address it. I don’t think you should renew the lease. Tempting Dreams should remain closed."
My vision blurred, and my heart pounded as I leaned over, trying to suck in a breath.
Clara elbowed me. "You have to say something."
I shook my head, unable to think.
"We're here for you," Clara said softly.
Then Reina said, "All of us are here for you."
I nodded, slowly getting to my feet, and braced my hands on the metal chair in front of me. "I don't think this is the appropriate time and place to discuss the extension of my lease. I entered into a contract with Natasha and Eve Palmer, not Bill Paxton."
