You Chose Mine

Chapter 28

*Luke’s P.O.V*

“Are you sure you can talk to them?” I asked. She nodded I could feel her uncertainty of how the conversation will go just by the way she was squeezing my hand. I was 98% sure my hand was going purple but I didn’t mind too much.

“They’re like family. My family” she gave me a comforting small smile as I squeezed her hand. “I can talk to them” Shannon patted my hand before bringing it up to her lips and placed a soft kiss on my knuckles. The store door chimed as we walked in together, instantly releasing our grip on each other once Kennedy turned around and saw us.

“Hey” she whispered with a small smile before hugging Shannon. The store was closed but filled with employees. I stood back as Shannon greeted every single one of them, letting a painful tear fall every now and again. Kennedy stood with me watching Shannon.

“How’s she doing?” she asked, I looked to her and then back to Shannon.

“She’s broken” I stated.

Kennedy took a deep breath before letting it out slowly “I don’t know how I’m going to make it through this…” she spoke quietly.  I looked down as I scratched my eyebrow.

I know she’s Shannon’s best friend and you’re meant to sympathise with your best friend, but if I didn’t know any better from the way Kennedy has been acting since Isabella died I would think Isabella was her aunty. I mean, Shannon took two days off and went straight back to work even though Derek and their other manager Ricki told her not to even bother coming back until at least a week after the funeral. Kennedy hasn’t even been to work since the day before Isabella died. I could feel myself getting worked up about this, I needed to calm down.

Suddenly I felt a hand slip into mine.

I looked to see Kennedy with a small smile on her face. I looked down to our hands when I felt eyes on me. I looked up to see Derek looking at me with a confused expression on his face, “What?” he mouthed to me. I saw Shannon grip his arm and pull his ear close to her mouth. Once they finished talking he crossed his arms and looked to me in a very disappointing way.

Suddenly a pair of lips pressed to my cheek. It was Kennedy again.

“Umm… Guys could I get your attention?” I heard Shannon say.

I released our hands as I took a few steps close edge of the group surrounding Shannon. She turned to the counter of the store and struggled to get up. I rushed over and took hold of her waist and lifted her up onto the top.

“Thanks” she whispered.

I nodded before taking my place once again.

“I know this week has been a struggle. Not just for me but for those who have been here from the beginning.” I watched as her eyes squeezed shut causing my heart to pinch. “To see how much this store has grown since that point is… magical” her voice was beginning to give out. “Isabella would have l-loved to see the progress. Not only what I have provided in the process but what kind of things you all have provided to make this store what it is now” A tear fell before she hid her face behind her hands and silent muffles of her cries.

“I’m sorry” she whispered to the quiet store.

“The funeral is in two days. We would love all of you guys to be there, but if it interferes with any plans you’ve made we understand if you can’t come” Derek spoke as he stood beside Shannon.

“Thank you” I heard her whisper to him before she wrapped her arms around him.

“The store will remain closed for a couple days. Thanks guys” Derek finished as everyone dispersed.