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“I know.” I nod, though it feels so far in the distance I don’t know if it will ever happen. I’m sad that maybe the family I want so badly won’t happen. “I’ve kinda put that on the back burner, just taking things as they come.”
“Best thing to do.” He slings an arm around my shoulder. “I don’t suppose a tasting is out of the question, brother?” He gives me a sly wink.
I grin. “I guess it’s five o’clock somewhere.”
I don’t spend long in the cellar we nickname ‘the vault’. We only have a couple of tastings, which is just as well because I know I’m going to be meeting with Hartley later, so I need to stay sober. I’m pleased when she texts me just as I get home to shower.
We plan for coffee in an hour, and as much as I don’t want to talk about my divorce, it’s an unavoidable subject now she’s on the case. It’s too hard to wrap my head around what happened today. Seeing her is one thing, but having to trawl through my ex’s array of shit in front of her is quite another.
Seeing her today, I realize that there is still good in the world, despite my belief that the universe had it in for me.
Hartley Chambers is a very welcome surprise. The fact she’s here in Stoney Creek has me all wound up. I’m thrilled, but if I’m being honest, I’ve no idea how to do this damn dating thing, or even if that’s what she wants from me.
I roll up to the Stones Throw Cafe. It’s a quaint little place on the corner of town that’s been here long before I was born. It’s been owned by the same family forever and had a revamp or two over the years. It’s a similar theme around Stoney Creek with family businesses; they get passed onto generation after generation.
I guess even Hartley isn’t too different in that sense, since she’s now working for her father. Maybe she’ll take over his practice one day, if she stays.
The cafe expanded recently, joining with the vacant shop next door when it came up for sale. Despite being remodeled, the cafe still maintains a very southern look with its overhead copper lights, checkered floors, booth seats, as well as homemade oak tables and chairs down the middle, and recycled wood countertops. There’s also memorabilia lacing the walls from a bygone era. The cafe’s focal point is a huge mural on the wall from the 1800s showcasing the main street in the days of horse and cart.
The cake cabinet displays all of their homemade wonders from apple crisp, peach cobbler and pecan pie.
“Well, if it isn’t the one and only Grayson Bassett!” I hear Aunt May, the owner’s voice—she owns the place and isn’t really my aunt at all, everyone just calls her that. She’s sitting up at the counter with my real aunt, Patti; Callan and Trudy’s mom, having coffee.
“Hi sweetie,” Aunt Patti mouths, smiling at me.
“Ladies.” I sidle over, thinking maybe this wasn’t such a good idea, now I’m thinking about it. By sundown, the whole town will know about my coffee date with the beautiful new attorney, Hartley Chambers. Though they’ll probably just assume we’re discussing business.
I hope to god we’re not.
I give them both a hug as Patti tells me how glad she is I’m back in town for good.
I pretend to listen as I see Hartley in my periphery. I’m pleased she’s already here, and as I shift my gaze, I see she’s studying the menu.
“Gotta go. My lawyer is waiting,” I say, behind my hand. They’re going to know sooner than later, anyway.
“I’ll get Mike to come over with coffee,” Aunt May hollers as I stride towards Hartley, a smile on my face.
I’m usually known as being pretty grumpy, but Hartley seems to bring out this different side in me. Maybe I should run with it.
“Thanks, Aunt May,” I call over my shoulder as I walk over to the booth.
Hartley looks up. “Hello, Mr. Bassett.”
My heart leaps. “Hello yourself, Miss. Chambers.”
Her hair is out of that sexy bun, hanging loose in tendrils down her back. She looks so fucking angelic, and so delectable I want to touch her, even though I know we can’t. All eyes and ears are on us.
Yep. That’s all it takes for my dick to sit up to attention.
Fucking great. I sit down before I make a complete spectacle out of myself.
20
Hartley
The second he walks in, my heart hammers in my chest. It’s a feeling I’m slowly getting used to whenever Gray is in the vicinity.
It feels like I’ve lived a thousand lifetimes today, and the day is still going.
