Page 66 of Meet Me on Love Street
“Hi, Ms. Tran!” I say.
“Please, Sana, call me Su Lin.” She smiles warmly. “These are some associates, Robert, Kirsten, and Ashwin. I brought them by so you could tell them a bit about the Love on Love Street Festival.”
Talking about the festival always gets me excited, so I tell them all about our plans and pass out our festival brochure, which lists all the events. I don’t know who these people are… maybe other city councillors? They’re probably the kind of people Miles needs to impress to get the connections he wants, so I make sure to mention his involvement with the festival.
I wasn’t sure about her when we first met her at her office that day, but without Su Lin Tran, the Love on Love Street Festival wouldn’t be happening at all. She’s been great any time we needed to get through red tape or get permits quickly for the festival, and she even helped me get the super-secret surprise for Miles. She really cares about the festival and Love Street.
I try to size up the other people while I’m talking to them. Robert looks old, like my grandparents’ age, but the other two are younger, closer to Su Lin’s and my parents’ age. They ask me a few questions about how we advertised the event and how many people we’re expecting.
“It’s so remarkable that their planning committee is chaired by two teenagers,” Su Lin says. “It’s a great feel-goodstory. We’ve reached out to the press about it—several big outlets will be at the festival. Miles and Sana are the city’s future!” Su Lin always sounds like she’s trying to sell something, but I’ve learned that’s just how she talks. Politicians.
“An event like this could bring a lot of attention to this area,” Kirsten says.
“That’s exactly why we’re doing it,” I say. “The businesses on the street noticed that people weren’t coming out here as much. I’ve lived here since I was nine, and it used to be so much busier.”
Robert seems curious about that. “You live on the street too?”
I nod. “Yes, above my mother’s flower shop.” I point to Morgan Ashton Flowers across the street.
“Oh!” Ashwin says, his eyes brightening. “Of course! You’re SanaMerali, aren’t you! You probably don’t remember me, but we met years ago. I’m a friend of your father’s. You’ve grown so much!”
The other men and Su Lin smile and say things like “small world,” but my mind races. How does this man know my father? Ashwin is South Asian and looks about my dad’s age, but he doesn’t look familiar at all.
“You must be excited about your mother’s new venture,” Ashwin says. “How wonderful that you’re involved with the festival that’s making this street even better. It won’t be recognizable in a few years!”
My breath hitches. What is he talking about? Mom doesn’t have a new venture. And why will the street be unrecognizable? Because it will be busier?
“Do you think the festival will make it easier to find tenants for new storefronts?” Su Lin asks.
“Absolutely,” the oldest man says. “I have no doubt this neighborhood will be an East End hot spot. Everyone will want to be on Love Street—selling units and leasing storefronts will be a piece of cake.”
The four of them keep talking, but I honestly don’t hear them. My heart is racing, and the room spins.What new storefronts?
It suddenly comes to me.Did Mom sell her building?
“Um.” Jenn clears her throat behind me. I didn’t notice that she’d come out of the back room. “I need to speak to Sana urgently. I hate to be rude, but I’m going to have to ask you to excuse us.”
Su Lin waves her hand. “Oh no, don’t be concerned. We were done anyway. So wonderful to see you, Sana! And don’t worry. I haven’t breathed a word to Miles about your little surprise.” She looks at the others. “Sana arranged for a historical placard about Lionel Osmond Love for the park! She wants to surprise Miles with it since he admires Love for all he did for the city.”
“How amazing,” Ashwin says. “This all makes perfect sense. When your father referred Miles for an internship, he said he was a friend of his daughter’s and she spoke highly of him. You’re absolutely correct. Milesisa remarkable young man. I’m so happy we had an opportunity for him!”
Wait.… My heart starts pounding in my chest. Miles isinterningwith these people? Andmy fatherreferred him for the position? I clutch the counter with white knuckles.Why didn’t Miles tell me? Does Miles know that my mothersoldher building?
Has anyone been honest with me in the last few weeks at all? Or am I just as naive and dazzled by my shiny new relationship as Mom said I was to see what’s going on in my own life?
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWOTHE BACKROOM BETRAYAL
Jenn puts an arm on my shoulder. “I’m sorry you heard that, Sana.”
I turn sharply and look at Jenn. “Momsoldthe building, didn’t she?”
Jenn nods, but she doesn’t say anything.
I can’t believe it. Mom sold her building and didn’t tell me. Which I suppose isn’t a surprise—I did overhear Mom and Jenn talking about it months ago. But that day Momalsosaid she wouldn’t do anything without talking to me first.
“She’s closing the store? Where are we going to live?”
Jenn picks up her phone. “This is something your mother should talk to you about. I’ll call her.”
