Marley beamed a bright smile at her. “Gia! You’re just in time.”
“In time for what, exactly?” There was now a parade of people carrying more animal crates into the community center.
“The fundraiser you helped organize.” Marley winked.
She frowned, confused. “I did what now?”
“Come on, I’ll fill you in. Let’s bring some of these other guys in.” Marley led the way to the back, where Clay was unloading crates from a truck bed. Gia glanced at Jake, who shrugged as if he were only along for the ride.
“I can’t tell you everything yet, but just trust me, okay?” Marley said to her before handing Gia a small crate with a white cat in it.
“Um… okay. Sure.” She cradled the crate to her chest.
“Perfect. We’re almost done setting up inside. I can’t wait to see how it turned out.” Marley practically skipped to the community center with a carrier holding an orange cat.
Once inside, Marley set her carrier down on a nearby table. Gia took it as a sign to put hers next to it, while Jake placed thetwo he had carried in. Someone shouted for Jake’s attention. He kissed Gia’s cheek before walking off.
She followed Marley to a nearby table. The young girl turned to her with a roll of tape and a small stack of papers. “I couldn’t bring Tuna or her kittens since they’re too young, so I took pictures of them. Can you post them up on the table?”
“Um… sure thing,” she said, taking the items from Marley.
Marley looked around the bustling community center like a proud director. “The booth for The Lotus looks like it’s almost ready.”
“Right. Minh mentioned my parents will bring food in the afternoon,” she said.
“Oh, good! I’m so glad they wanted to donate food to the event. People are going to love it!” Marley squealed and took off as Diem gestured her over to where she and Silas were clearly arguing about something.
Gia stood in the middle of the room. Everyone moved around her with purpose, and she still only had a vague sense of what was going on. In the corner, Zoey set up a table full of baked items from Sweet Tooth Cakes. She was talking animatedly to Josie, whose table was set up next to hers, holding freshly brewed coffee from Sip Happens.
Across the way, Diem and Silas looked like they were still in the middle of a heated argument while Alina looked on with amusement. Even Lana was here with some new books from her bookstore. At the back entrance, she spotted Quynh dragging a grumpy-looking Griffin behind her as she made a beeline for the Sip Happens booth.
Smart.
Gia could use a cup of coffee right now.
Apparently, most, if not all, of the business owners in town were here.
Jake was talking to Luke. Clearly, they had put aside their differences for the time being. Her feet led her to where he stood, like a magnet. Jake sensed her approach and glanced up to give hera wide smile. Her heart jumped in her chest. When she was only a few feet away, Jake excused himself and wrapped his arms around her. She melted into his embrace, breathing in his familiar sandalwood scent, instantly calming her anxiety.
She wanted to ask him what was going on, why there were cats and dogs everywhere, and why half the town was here, but she held on to Jake with both hands. Her heart melted when he kissed her on the top of the head.
“Hey. You okay?”
She nodded. There was so much she wanted to tell him. She didn’t think it was the right time to talk about the fact she was done with LA.
“Come here, let’s find a quiet corner.” Jake pulled away, grabbed her hand firmly in his, and led her to a side office, shutting the door behind him.
“Jake, what’s going on?”
“We were going to keep it a surprise so your reaction would be genuine, but I think you should know the plan.”
“The plan? What plan?”
“It was really Marley’s idea.” He stalled.
“What was her idea?”
Jake’s sigh was heavy. Gia steeled herself, her scalp prickling with dread.
