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“Big day. I’m so excited for you!”

My stomach rolls. “Hopefully it’ll be a good one.”

Ivy steps forward next and holds out a to-go cup from the café. “Your favorite.”

“You’re a lifesaver.” I take the cup from her and savor the first sip of my spicy, warm gingerbread latte.

Jack pulls Ivy to his side, and I stare at the two of them. My brother and my best friend. They’ve got it figured out, and they’re going to spend the rest of their lives together, making each other happy. Let’s be real, they probably won’t make each other happy every day. Ivy’s constant good humor isn’t always constant. And Jack is a boy, and he’s sometimes annoying and stinky. But the point of it is, Jack’s going to ask her to marry him, and then they’re both going to make a choice—a brave one—to stick together, through thick and thin, good times and bad, sunshine and rainstorms.

I can’t help but think about Gabe. I’ve been doing that a lot lately.

You have a choice, Beth. No one can make it for you.

For five years, I’ve been picking Dasher Valley—and my business and the security I find here—as opposed to a life of uncertainty with Gabe and his career. That’s the long and short of it. And I’ve been content with that decision. Mostly. I should be hearing from the Chamber any minute now with news of a coveted spot in the Dasher Valley 8. That’ll be all the validation I need that I’ve done something I can be proud of. Grown roots. Established myself in a community for the first time in my life. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.

Isn’t it?

I steal another glance at Jack and Ivy, who have their fingers intertwined, and there’s a longing in my chest, like the place in my heart where Gabe should be is just . . . empty.

I shove the thought from my mind. No use dwelling on it—not right now.

My phone bings, and Jack’s and Ivy’s attention snaps to me.

“It’s from the Chamber!” I greedily tap open the email, scanning the message.

My eyes catch on a couple phrases: lots of competition; every business is valued and important in Dasher Valley; unfortunately Dash Away Books was not chosen.

My stomach is a lead balloon.

Ivy takes a step forward. “Well?”

“We didn’t get in.” I massage my temple with my fingers.

“Oh, Beth. I’m sorry.” Ivy wraps me in a hug, and Jack piles on.

“Want me to beat up Xander?” Jack says when he eases away.

I snort out a laugh, even though the emotion in the back of my throat burns hot with the threat of tears.

I shake my head. “Violence isn’t the answer.”

“How could they not pick us?” Ivy starts pacing. “We—you—did literally everything right.”

I slump into a chair and close my eyes. The past six months flash before my eyes. I did do everything I could . . . to the detriment of my own physical and mental health. I took part in more committees and events than I can even remember. Some of them I really enjoyed. Some of them I gritted my teeth and faked a smile through. What did it get me? Nothing. No recognition from the Chamber. No spot in the Dasher Valley 8.

“If you didn’t make it, then who did?” Jack asks, sitting down in the chair next to mine.

“I don’t know.”

My phone bings again. This time it’s an alert from the Dasher Daily Download. Wallace is at work early.

Dasher Daily Download

Greetings, Dasher Vallians. Coming to you live this morning from the Dasher Valley Chamber of Commerce Office, where the list of the new Dasher Valley 8 has just been posted. Since everyone has been waiting with bated breath to hear who earned top business spots for the upcoming year, this here reporter wanted to get you the news ASAP. Without further ado, here are the local businesses who earned the title of Dasher Valley 8:

Clatter Café

Bows and Boughs