She slid a sideways, tearful glance at Daphne. “Like you?”
Her gaze dropped to her lap. “Well, I don’t exactly need extra help this time of year, but…”
“Don’t worry, I’m not asking yet.” She swiped a loose tendril off her forehead. “I’m just so damn awful at waiting for things to fall into place. I need todosomething.”
“Typical Leo, thinking you can fix any situations.”
“But I know I’m right about this,” she protested. “There’s no way a glorified mini mall hawking basic bougie crap can compete with a legendary…” she flapped her hands, “legend like Souvenir Planet.”
Daphne leveled her with a look of gentle disappointment. “It’s not like you to be such a snob.”
“Me? A snob?” The accusation stung—because her friend was correct.
Daphne sipped her tea, one of Zora’s special blends. “There’s nothing wrong with—what does he plan to sell?”
“I don’t know. Probably those ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ signs.”
Daphne winced.
“See? Totally not Trappers Cove’s vibe.”
“And yet, we mustn’t impose our taste on others. Very bad juju.”
“Gah. You’re right. And I hate it.”
“But you don’t hate him.”
“No.” She sighed down to her toes. “Quite the opposite, actually.”
Daphne cracked a smile. “How very Austen-esque. Well then, Miss Bennet, what are you going to do about it? What outcome do you want?”
“I want him to stay. And I want him to succeed, even if he has to tear down the—” She clapped a hand over her mouth.
“Tear down Souvenir Planet?” Daphne whispered, eyes wide.
Hannah lowered her voice too. “It’s been condemned. Don’t tell anyone. Though I suppose everyone will know about it as soon as the bulldozers roll down Main Street.” And why was she picturing them like WWII tanks?
“Poor Xander,” Daphne cooed. “He must be crushed.”
And yet, he’d seemed all too thrilled about the prospect of knocking down an iconic landmark.
After swearing Daphne to secrecy, she quickly filled her in on Xander’s plans.
“Okay, don’t be mad.” Daph waited for Hannah’s nod. “That actually sounds brilliant.”
“It could be, if he maintains the TC vibe.”
“And the aliens?”
Hannah gave her head a sharp shake. “He hates those. Like, down to the marrow of his bones.”
“Hmm. Pity.” Daphne tapped her chin. “How can we convince him?”
“We?”
“You’re right, of course. Souvenir Planet was iconic, and a big tourist draw, which means the whole town has an interest in Xander’s success. He’ll need our gentle guidance.”
“Gentle is right.” Hannah sipped her lukewarm tea. “If I push any harder, he’ll shut me down completely.”
