Did Louise say anything about him?
Eliza
She said she enjoyed talking to him and that he’s “very handsome.”
Me
Oh, great. Wonderful. Perfect.
Jules
Just don’t look at him, and you’ll be fine!!!
“Easier said than done,”I muttered in response to Jules’s last text. I set my phone on the counter and took off my apron, hanging it on the cat-shaped wall hook by the register.
As my final customers of the day finished their drinks, I wiped the counters, cleaned the machines, and fed the cats while also giving them plenty of pettings. The five cats got lots of attention today with how busy it was, but I always ensured I spent some time with them as I closed.
The meeting with Gabriel and Hal had consumed my mind today, this week, and really from the moment Hal sent me that email. I wasn’t kidding when I told Eliza and Jules I’d been watching the clock all day—and my customers noticed. I confused orders, overfilled at least three cups of coffee, and nearly used salt instead of sugar in various drinks. Luckily, everyone was patient with me.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
I trusted Hal, and I knew he had my best interests, and the best interests of the town, in mind. But I couldn’t help but wonder why he couldn’t just sell me the building. Why did we need to have this meeting, and why was Gabriel in town? I tried not to take it personally and not be too hurt about it, but it wastough not to get in my head. Did Hal think I wasn’t ready or that I couldn’t handle it? Did he have a different vision? Did he want to keep ownership in the family?
It was the last thing that hurt the most, if true. Because Halwasfamily to me. Maybe not by blood, but he had been present in nearly every moment in my life—big and small. He was at my high school graduation and at Purrfect Blend’s opening. He gave me advice after my first heartbreak and taught me how to parallel park.
I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but that didn’t stop my heart from racing and my palms from getting sweaty from anticipation.
After completing my closing work, I made my way back to the main area as two of my regulars—and my final customers for the day—were heading out.
“Bye, Tom and Susan!” I called out. “I’ll see you next week.”
They smiled and waved in return.
I pulled on my gloves and wrapped my scarf around my neck before putting on my coat. I hiked my purse over my shoulder and locked the door behind me. Time to brave the cold.
The walk to Hal’s wasn’t far—a few blocks from the café—and I passed the various Christmas decorations on the walk over, which I helped put up a few days ago. Lights, ornaments, and garland could be spotted in nearly every corner of downtown. As beautiful as it looked during the day, it looked absolutely magical at night with the twinkling lights, couples walking hand in hand, and Christmas music playing faintly in the background.
As I approached Hal’s, I couldn’t remember if I’d grabbed my phone. I looked down to dig around in my purse, wanting to double-check. I swore this thing had an endless bottom whenever I couldn’t find something.
Keys, pens, ChapStick, random scraps of paper with half-written recipes, my winter wish?—
Wait. Where was my winter wish list? I’d put the pink piece of paper in my purse the night I made it with Eliza and Jules. Had I taken it out? I’d completely forgotten about it and the various things I’d set out to do until this moment.
I let out a frustrated huff. I’d deal with that and my misplaced phone later. They were likely somewhere in the café.
I pushed both purse straps onto my shoulder and sped up my walk, finally looking up.
But it was too late.
I crashed into a broad, jacket-clad back with anoomph. I stumbled back, nearly losing my footing on the sidewalk. I would’ve fallen on my butt had it not been for how quickly the man turned around. He tightly, but carefully, reached out to grab my wrist, tugging to keep me upright. Except he overcorrected. I had to brace my palms against his chest so I wouldn’t faceplant into his body.
Although, with how good he smelled—a mixture of citrus, warmth, and clean linen—maybe that wouldn’t have been a bad thing.
When my gaze flicked up, I expected it to be someone I knew. Golden Falls had visitors and tourists in the winter, but it was either closer to the holidays or after a big snowfall.
Instead, I was met with a sharp jaw that could cut ice paired with warm, honey-brown eyes that could melt it. His wavy brown hair was effortlessly tousled.
His eyes scanned my face, almost like he was taking me in, too.
