Page 81 of You'll Love it Here

“What? Only met him twice but he was a piece of shit. The family is rich. I think there will be lobster.”

I can’t suppress the way my shoulders shake at his antics. “Lobster at a funeral? Get me on the list too.”

Abu’s eyes brighten. “Mona understands finances. She’s not dumb.”

I can’t help but giggle, but it fades as the sadness creeps back in. I’m going to miss this diner so much.

How could I have done any of it?

“Well, thankfully your taxi is here.” Sami nods out the front window as his parents make their way out with a series of jovial goodbyes.

I nod at the CALM THE CONSTRUCTION sign Sami posted on the door. “Hey, your petition... The submission date is Monday, right?”

His jaw clenches. “Yep. That’s when the construction permit meeting for this area is.” He lets out a disgruntled huff and slings his washcloth over his shoulder. “Unfortunately, we’re short an astronomical amount of signatures. But maybe next time, I can advertise more, and—”

“I’m afraid we don’t have that kind of time.”

He stills. It’s now. I need to confess. Not for myself, but for him. So he can make the best decision for this place, and for himself.

“What do you mean?”

I look at the faux-granite grain on the laminate countertop. “Northern Property Management made an offer on Irene’s property.”

“Bastards!” he shouts, then pauses. “But Irene would never sell to them.”

Except it must be painted on my face. Because as soon as Sami looks at me, he drops his face into his hands.

“Fuck, she did?”

I nod once, even though he can’t see it. “Sami... I, um. She didn’t have much of a choice.”

He lifts his head, looking at me carefully. “That’s why you’ve been so stressed?” His voice hardens. “Wait, you knew this was happening?”

It’s the hurt in his eyes. The hurt I’ve caused.

My heartbeat pounds in my ears. “Sami, I’m so sorry, I—”

“Sorry?Please don’t blame yourself, Mona.” He comes around the counter and pries my fingers from the edge of the counter, which I didn’t even register I’d begun to clench so tightly, the knuckles were turning white. He holds my hands between his, warm and steady. “You’ve been doing everything to help with the building. I can’t imagine how you must’ve felt when you found out it was selling.”

It’s now, I have to come clean now.

I swallow, my throat a dry desert. “Sami, I...”

His hands hold mine tighter. The warmth pools and fills me up.

I can’t do it. I can’t risk it. No matter how sorry I am. No matter how much I want to take back everything I did. Because no matter how much I try to earn it, forgiveness is never guaranteed.

I can’t lose him.

I adjust our grip so our fingers intertwine. “I have a plan that could help Irene keep the property, but in order to do that Northern Property Management would have to pull out.”

His brow furrows. “They won’t do that. All they care about is the land.”

I point to Sami’s sign on the door. “The city hearings. We should all go to the meeting and make some noise. Gather as many of the people as possible to voice our concerns. If they can’t get a permit to build, the land is useless.”

“It’s a nice idea.” He looks down at our hands, frowning. “But Northern Property Management is theGoliath. I’m sure they’re practically writing their own permits by now.” He lets out a huff. “Maybe we should just have that steak and enjoy this place before it all falls apart?”

I’ve never seen him look this defeated. “Excuse me? What have you done with Sami?”