They walked as they ate, taking in the displays while the band played an old Sixpence None the Richer song. Some people lingered, hovering around the voting station, and April had a quick peek at the boxes, interested to see who was coming out ahead so far. She paused when she glimpsed a familiar head behind the sign.
“Is that Noah?” No sooner had she said the words than the small crowd moved, jostling her to the side until she could see directly behind the sign to where her brother did in fact stand—with Izzy. “Oh my God.”
“What?” Luke followed her eyeline and chuckled as they watched Noah lean in and kiss Izzy full on the mouth. “Wait, April, I don’t think we should interrupt—”
“Are you kidding?” she hissed. “We owe him at least one interruption.”
Luke sighed, relenting, and she grinned. They snuck closer to where her brother was hidden and, when they were close enough, she cleared her throat and fought to control her laugh when Noah and Izzy sprung apart.
Izzy’s eyes flew wide as they met April’s. “April! I, uh, was just—”
“Kissing my brother?” April supplied. “I can see that. I thought I told you guys to keep it discreet.”
Noah maneuvered himself to stand in front of Izzy and April nearly lost it. Did they really think she was going to be mad?
“Look, Bug. I know this might be hard, but—”
April burst out laughing. “Damn, Iz. He really was about to launch into a whole speech. You have him wrapped around your little finger.” When they still looked unsure, April rolled her eyes. “Relax. I was just messing with you for that time you interrupted me and Luke.”
“Well, to be fair, at leastwehid behind a sign,” Noah defended and April raised a brow. “And we weren’t about five seconds away from screwing.”
Not bothering to argue over the semantics, April pointed a threatening finger at her brother. “If you hurt her, I’ll kill you.” She paused, looking between the two of them before smiling. “But otherwise, I’m happy for you both.”
“Are we having a little party back here? Why didn’t anyone invite me?” Emma said, peering around the sign and crossing her arms over her chest.
April laughed. “Definitely not, Em. You know it’s not a party unless you’re there.”
They’d ended up at The Garden Table after the voting closed at five. Penny had saved their group a table and then she and Ethan had opted to join them to celebratethe success of the festival, and the early success of April Blooms.
Izzy had heard from the mayor’s office that sales were up across the board for the local businesses. “And we had almost a hundred small business plans submitted for the winner to choose from!”
All in all, it had been an incredible turnout. “Did you ever hear back about the buildings being authenticated?”
Izzy nodded, chewing frantically past the large piece of chicken she’d just put in her mouth. “Yes, the team came out early this week and we got the preliminary findings back on Friday. It won’t be official until we get the paperwork through, which is why I was going to wait to tell you, but … the buildings are protected!”
They all cheered and Ethan nearly spat out his drink when Noah clapped him on the back.
Kathy stood, holding her glass. “I just want to say how proud I am of you, April, and you, Noah, for the work you’ve done on the store. It looks fabulous, and the way you’ve rallied our little community has really been something to see. Your dad would be so proud of you both, and I hope you’re proud of yourselves too.” She smiled, eyes a little watery as she raised the glass higher and took a sip. “To April and Noah.”
“To April and Noah,” the table echoed and April smiled, squeezing her mom’s hand when she sat back down next to her.
“Thank you all,” April added. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Chatter resumed as they finished their food, sipping their wine, until Izzy’s phone vibrated and she let out a whoop.
“Coffee Affair won best display! I was talking to the owners earlier, and they said that they were so excited they’d already reviewed the proposals and picked their favorite, just in case they won. It looks like you’re going to have new neighbors,” Izzy said, grinning at April and Penny. “The business proposal was sent in by a young couple who want to renovate the old bookstore!”
“That’s incredible.” Ethan smiled. “Tash will love that.”
“You see what you’ve started?” April’s mom said, leaning in and nudging her gently with a proud gleam in her eye.
“Well, technically Penny opened her place first,” April pointed out, but didn’t argue when Luke kissed her cheek and murmured a soft “Well done” in her ear.
“What a year,” Noah said, huffing out a big breath and making them all laugh. “Renovations, engagements, new relationships … What’s next?”
“An apartment,” April said and then shrugged. “But I’m not in a rush.”
“Milan,” Emma crooned and Izzy and April whooped along with her.