Quick Info~

The wait for this chapter was far longer than I intended, and for that I apologize! I just want to make sure I put my best work out there and I didn't have enough time to properly edit it with my schedule this past week. However, it's here! It's short and simple, but it's here! I love exploring the other characters that aren't directly influencing the plot. So much so that they sometimes become my favorite people to write dialogue for (Elise is definitely up there on that list!).

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Many continued thanks to all of you wonderful people!

Elise perfectly embodied confusion and irritation when she finally answered Annie's persistent knocks.

"I knew I should have hired graveyard shift help," Elise said, adjusting the dozens of tiny curlers in her hair and blinking away her sleepiness.

"I'm sorry," Annie said. "I didn't know who else to talk to."

Elise's irritation slowly melted away as Annie spoke. "Alright, I guess you can come inside."

She opened the door and Annie felt the knot of tension in her chest begin to dissipate as she stood among the variety of plush, extravagantly pink decorations. They walked up the main flight of stairs that was probably large enough to fit ten people walking side-by-side, and Elise ushered Annie into her room.

They sat on Elise's bed and Annie immediately sunk down into a few feet of feathery softness.

"So what's wrong?" Elise asked, yawning widely.

"I know you're going to think I'm crazy," Annie started, unsure of how to put what she was feeling into words.

"I already do." Elise was smiling, although her tone was rather matter-of-fact.

"Anyway, you know Raeger…."

Elise raised an eyebrow. Annie hesitated and refused to meet her gaze.

"Well, about a week ago, you told me about your plan to try and convince Raeger to use your crops for the Antique Showcase tomorrow," Annie said.

Elise nodded and eyed her slyly. "Of course. But I'm also aware of our rivalry as farmers and if Raeger accepted your crops I'm not going to completely cut you out of my life."

"No, it's just—"

"Although I might have to start taking your farm a little more seriously."

"Elise, I—"

"Raeger is quite the tricky one to please. I'm surprised you were able to convince him that—"

"Elise!" Annie said, a little too forcefully and a little too loud.

Elise blinked in surprise. "I'm sorry," she said, backing down. "You talk and I'll just listen, okay?"

"Thank you. Anyway, yes I did ask him to use my crops and, yes, he agreed to it. But that's not the problem. We've been spending an awful lot of time together recently, so that he could check out my crops and stuff."

Elise's eyes widened and she grabbed Annie by the shoulders. "I know exactly where this is going," she said, each syllable rising with excitement.

Annie felt herself smiling right along with Elise, although her brain was reeling with hundreds of different thoughts and feelings.

"Tonight I went to his restaurant to taste-test and we sort of, kind of ended up…kissing." Annie shut her eyes tight, afraid to see Elise's reaction.

Elise merely held up a single finger in thought and nodded once. "You know, I really should have taken you more seriously. You just successfully beat every other girl in town and probably the city, too."

Annie sighed and rolled her eyes. "If I viewed him as some sort of a prize then maybe, yeah."

"But you're in love with him, so he's not just a prize," Elise said.

"I don't know about that," Annie said, her cheeks heating for the umpteenth time that night. "But I do like him, and that's completely terrifying."

"So go for it," Elise said.

"What?"

She smiled and shook her head, taking Annie's hands in her own. "Do what I do and go for it head-first. Don't think about it; just do it. It's what you want, right?"

Annie dropped her gaze to the floor and pulled her hands away from Elise before setting them in her lap. "Yeah, but if we broke up…."

"You can't think about stuff like that." Elise grabbed Annie's cheeks in between her thumb and fingers, forcing her to look her straight in the eyes. "Who successfully left everything behind on a whim to start a new life on a crappy piece of property?"

"Me," Annie said, her words squished in between Elise's fingers.

"Who successfully earned the title of best friend from the most complicated, most wonderful girl in town?" Elise asked, cockily bringing her free hand to her chest in praise.

"Me," Annie said sourly.

Elise released Annie's cheeks from her grasp and stared at her seriously. "If you would have given up before you even started those things, you would be living in the city and never would have known of my existence. Sounds pretty awful, if I do say so myself."

She was giving Annie her signature, million-dollar smile. It was the one she used to win over judges in competitions or to get her hired hands to work overtime. Annie knew it was a strong tactic, and she knew it well.

Nevertheless, Elise was right. Annie never shied away from a challenge because it seemed too hard or the outcome could possibly be failure. Her innate strength was something she always prided herself on. But it seemed that whenever Raeger was around, that strength began to crumble as if it were merely sand sifting through her fingers.

"I just don't want to ruin the dynamic of the town," Annie said, deciding that would be the best—and also least selfish—way to respond.

Elise laughed. "It won't. You know, before you came here, Iris and Klaus dated each other on and off. It lasted for years and some of the townspeople put bets on whether or not they'd get married someday. We don't exactly live in a place with a lot of entertainment and the old people get a kick out of seeing us flounder in romance."

Annie knew that Iris and Klaus were quite close, but they always denied that they were lovers. She grimaced at the thought. She didn't want to pretend like she and Raeger never dated if whatever they had ended badly.

Elise could see the mental torment that Annie was going through and she gently forced Annie to look at her once again.

"We would all be really happy for you," she said. "And, as much as I hate to admit it, you pretty much saved this town. We're thriving because of you. Don't let us be the reason that you can't thrive, too."

Annie nodded, feeling as though a weight was starting to lift off of her shoulders. Not only could she do anything she set her mind to, but the entire town would have her back. And, deep down, she knew she would mentally kick herself forever if she didn't at least go on one date with Raeger.

"So when should I make my move?" she asked sheepishly.

Elise was beaming. "Tomorrow night. At the Antique Showcase. I'm coming to your house with some friends and we're going to help you get ready for it."

"I was just going to wear this," Annie said, gesturing to her everyday earthy-toned dress and apron.

"You might beat me at festivals, dating, and acquiring plots of land, but I will always be superior to you when it comes to fashion," Elise said haughtily. "Now, please, go get some much needed beauty sleep."

She pointed towards the door and Annie took it as her queue to leave. As she just about to exit the room, she heard Elise clear her throat.

"And just so you know, I'll be getting my revenge for you barging in on me so late at night," she added.

Annie rolled her eyes but still managed a giggle. She was going to have a long, sleepless night ahead of her.