We put on our masks and get to work. Thankfully, the weather is absolutely perfect with no chance of rain.

After a few hours, the restoration company arrives with a huge dumpster and unloads it in the parking lot behind the shop.

“Wow,” one of the women says, looking in the back room. “There’s nothing left but ash. I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you. It’s been hard to deal with, but now that you’re here, maybe we’ll be able to get it lookin’ new again.”

“We’ll do our best.” She smiles.

I watch as they start shoveling rubble into garbage bags before tossing them out. It’s progress, at least, but it makes me sad as hell. I’ve put so much time, sweat, and money into my shop, and now it feels like I’m starting over again.

I was stupid to think everything would go back to normal after Natasha because whoever did this may be an even bigger monster than her. I’ve been wondering if Krystal is somehow behind them in an attempt to get back at Archer, but I don’t know how she’d manage to get in and out without being seen on my cameras.

When lunchtime rolls around, I order pizza for the girls and me. We take a quick break and eat.

“Do you know how long it’s going to take them to remodel?” Heidi asks.

“Not sure. They said it could be as quick as a month or as long as six.”

“Damn,” Lexie adds. “That’s way too long.”

“I know,” I say, sighing. “But I’ve requested to choose my own contractor, and my agent said they’d need quotes. So, I’m gonna beg Noah to submit a bid for the job even though he’s booked solid.”

“That’d be amazing,” Lexie says.

“And he’d bust ass for you,” Heidi adds.

Dana stays quiet, and we all notice.

“What’s up with you?” Lexie finally asks her when the pizza box is empty.

“Sorry, nothing. Just got a lot on my mind at the moment.” She forces a smile. “You know how it can be.”

“Oh yeah, I get that,” I reply, but the conversation ends there. If she wanted us to know what she was going through, she’d tell us.

Another hour passes, and the parking lot is full of clothing racks. Though they smell like smoke, the discount I’m offering makes up for how many times they’ll have to wash the fabric.

“Are y’all ready for the crowd?” I posted the announcement on Instagram and Facebook, then sent out a quick newsletter too.

“Yep, bring it on!” Lexie cheers.

Within five minutes, my loyal customers show up and begin grabbing things.

I have my cash register app on my phone, so we set up a small table at the front of the building so they can use their credit cards.