Looking across the room I saw Evan. He was dressed well and standing next to his boss and another guy he must work with, but it was clear that none of them wanted to be near him. He shot me a smile and showed me that he was crossing his fingers for the outcome. I just wasn’t sure which outcome he was hopeful for.
It took a good ten minutes after arriving for the meeting to be called to order and each second caused my heart to race a little faster. I wasn’t even certain what I wanted at this point, I just wanted it to all be over and for us to resume life as it would be.
For about an hour, community members were allowed to voice their opinions, concerns and support for the development. I was surprised at how many actually wanted to see the resort built and help improve the city. Of course many of the same people I would have expected stood and swore they didn’t want to see this carried on any further and talked of the detriment to the community.
What I heard most of all was how they were upset with the way this had been handled and how it had created such a problem among people that loved and cared for each other. I was speechless and couldn’t even express to Kendall how much the words I heard meant to me.
After allowing community members to speak, the HRC then allowed both sides to have a turn. The Society was granted first permission and it was the first time Grant stood up as head of it. He spoke eloquently and with passion about how the history of Asheville was slowly being changed by those who had never lived among it. He talked of how we fought so hard to keep alive what was left and a company from another state couldn’t just step in and take away what belonged to us.
As I watched him speak and listened to his heartfelt words I realized that he was in his place. Head of the Society was something that Grant needed and something he did extremely well. He meant the words he spoke and he would fight for them to ring true from everyone. I was very proud of him and the speech he made.
Patty, however, I was still not fond of. She spoke quickly and shared of her own personal opinions and how she loved the city because of its devotion to family and God. I wanted to slap her. Someday she’d learn that she was hypocritical when looking at the actions that she carried out.
A few other members spoke before the HRC asked if anyone else would like to stand for the Society. All eyes turned towards me.
“I’ve opted to pass on this opportunity, “I offered. “Given the publicity surrounding me recently I feel that my input could harm the cause I so believe in.”
All nodded and the eyes turned to the men of GHM.
First Evan’s boss spoke. He talked of opportunities and the vast benefits of the resort. He shared his belief that it would increase revenue to the city and allow many people to experience all that we had to offer. He shared what would be included and how all he had went into this project and he’d like to see it go forward.
He then stepped aside and another man, a good looking one with a smirk on his face, stepped forward. He told of a small town he’d lived in and how Asheville reminded him of that place. He told of a resort that came to town and how the place had thrived and that was what made him want to work in the business he was in. I didn’t believe a damn thing that came out of his mouth, but I had to admit his words were pretty powerful.
Once he’d finished everyone turned towards Evan. I wasn’t even sure what he was going to say so I held my breath as I waited.
*****
Evan
“I won’t be speaking on this matter today,” I told the Commission. “I don’t feel I can accurately represent something that has caused me so much pain.”
A gasp filled the room as I watched my boss’s eyes harden and glare at me.
Finally the HRC said they were ready to make a decision.
“We do not often convene so quickly after a proposal has been made. It is rare that we grant early decision to anyone. However, when we were presented with information as to how a lengthy process could be harmful, we made that call,” I listened, knowing there would be a long speech first.
“What we didn’t expect was the stir that would be caused in such a short time span. And while the methods used on either side are not ours to judge or speculate on, we at the HRC would like to issue a formal statement on it. We are not in agreement with the actions that have taken place or the problems that they have caused valuable members of our community. We are equally upset over statements made to the media on our behalf that have not been authorized by any of us. This is not the way to get what you want…either side.”
A pause left us wondering if the HRC was going to issue a decision soon or leave us wondering another hour or so.
“Unfortunately we cannot make our decision based on those factors. Instead we have to look at the overall benefit to the community verses the potential downfall of destroying a historic area. It is hard to do so in such a short time span, but we have spent countless sleepless nights working on just that. What we have found is that yes a resort can often benefit an area greatly. It can increase revenue. It can increase tourism. It can help out small businesses that benefit from the new influx of people.”
I felt my heart drop.
“We also learned that resorts can bring other things to an area. Crime. Destruction. Traffic.
These are things we have to consider. Had this resort been proposed in specific sections of Asheville, we feel it would be a beneficial thing to the community. However, this small district has been kept residential and we feel that allowing a commercial resort to inhabit it would detract from the history and beauty of the community in a way that the benefit could not overcome. Because of that, we have made the decision that we will not agree to the building of Willow’s Resort on the property that is currently being proposed.”
I heard a muffled lot of swearing from the guys of GHM and some sighs of relief on Lexi’s side of the room.
“That is the official decision of the HRC,” she continued. “However, as a side note that is not officially on the record,” she added. “Mr Morgan,” I watched Evan’s boss raise his head to face her. “Had you handled this as you should have, we likely would have approved the residential condominiums as it would have added to the appeal of the district. You chose to circumvent some rules by altering your original proposal and that has changed the outcome. Not because we are lashing out, but because a commercial business does not belong in the area. Sometimes, it pays to handle things the proper way and see what happens. I wish you luck in future endeavors.”
With that the HRC stood and walked out of the room, leaving the rest of us to gossip silently about what had just happened.
I only wanted to find Lexi and hug her. It was over. We could go on with life. And in that moment, that was all that mattered to me.
*****
Chapter 17
Lexi
“Delicious,” I commented on the prime rib. It was the first time Evan had been to the Bistro and I was planning to show him only the best they had to offer.
“Yes, it is,” he grinned. “And looks almost as good as you do.”
I blushed at the compliment. It had been two months since the ordeal had ended over the condo resort. Evan and I had been together as often as we possibly could, though he spent a lot of time trying to find work.
Just recently he’d told me that his goals had changed. He couldn’t seem to find work in design and building so he was going to change his focus. Apparently what money he’d had put back was almost gone and he needed to get an income rolling again. I hated to see him giving up on his dreams but us being happy together was almost worth it.
The shop was almost back to normal and I was glad for that. Seeing regular customers who had tried to do everything in their power to make up for bailing on me had given me a renewed hope that life would somehow be okay.
Kendall had found a man that she was interested in and hadn’t been around much lately, which was okay given that Evan and I were spending so much time together. She had just recently asked me when we were going to make it official and get engaged. The idea had almost shocked me.
Sure we were in love and happy, but the thought of marriage terrified me. Were we really that serious? Was he even interested in a lifelong thing? I didn’t want to think about it so I’d just laughed and told her to calm down.
“Let’s move in together,” His words startled me out of my thoughts and yet resembled some of what I’d been thinking.
“What?” I pretended I hadn’t heard him partially because I was sure I’d heard wrong.
“Move in together Lexi,” he teased. “It’s what couples do when they are serious.”
“And you are serious? I mean that serious?”
“I asked didn’t I?” he laughed. “We’ve been to hell and back. We aren’t going anywhere. Why not? It’d cut expenses for both of us, and I’d get to see you every single day.”
“You already see me every single day,” I reminded him.
“But I wouldn’t have to drive,” he pointed out.
“true,” I thought for a second and decided to ignore the part of me that worried so much. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“My place or yours?” he asked with a grin.
“Mine,” I answered. “A furnished efficiency is not a home.”
“This is good,” he said, almost to no one. “Really good.”
And that’s what we did. Move in together. Actually we did it the next day. We were never good at waiting for what we wanted.
Over the next few weeks things went amazing. We hardly had any differences and being able to put on pj’s and watch our show together was amazing. He even teased about how now he would get to see me take a bath, and if I was lucky, he could join me.
I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect life.
Until that Friday about a month after we’d move in together. Having been working at a local construction company as a foreman, Evan was tired of his job. He wanted to go back to the world he was used to. So when he saw a letter from a well known design firm he was ecstatic.
“I hope like hell it’s a job offer,” he said.
“Where are they?” I asked.
“They have an office an hour from here,” He smiled at me. “It’s a really good company. Great pay. Great benefits. I’d be lucky to get it.”
He opened the envelope and I saw his eyes widen with surprise. He was excited. That meant it was good.
“Job?” I asked, eager to hear.
“Yes,” he barely spoke. “Not just a job, a design job. They liked my designs and they want to hire me to help design their buildings.”
“Oh my God! Evan that is amazing!”
“They are requesting a formal interview process, but as long as that goes well, the job is mine. We are talking six figures a year and my name as the designer. It’s….it’s everything I have ever wanted in a job.” I watched him lay the paper down. “I wish I could take it.”
“What?” I couldn’t believe him. “You can’t turn this down.”
“I have a job Lexi,” he reminded me. “They need me.”
“You would turn down your dream job for this shitty one?” I couldn’t believe what he was saying. “Are you fucking crazy?”
“It’s not a good fit,” he lied and I knew he was lying. “I need to leave it be and just go on with life.”
“You are lying,” I stated. “What the hell? Tell me.”
I didn’t wait on him to tell me. I grabbed the envelop and pulled out the letter to read.
He was right. It was an amazing offer. I couldn’t understand why he would even think of refusing. Until I got to the last part.
You would be working out of our Chicago office and would need to fly to Chicago and meet for the interview process. If this is acceptable, please contact us as soon as possible. We will arrange travel and accommodations for you and your spouse.
Chicago? The word stared out at me. Taunting me. Chicago. As in Illinois? As in not here. He would be working out of Chicago. Holy shit.
He was going to turn down his dream job because of the location. I couldn’t have that. I didn’t know what would happen. Hell they might not even hire him. But I couldn’t let him say no just because of me. He had to at least try.
“Hey,” I put my hand on his shoulder. “You have to at least go for the interview. We can hear the offer. See the area. You can’t turn down what you don’t know. Not for me. At least do that much.”
“I don’t want to lose you.”
“We are good,” I told him. “Let’s go to Chicago and see what this is all about.”