A girl could really get used to this. “Thanks,” I said, smiling up at him and tucking a loose strand behind my ear as I looked up at him. I searched his hard-to-read expressions for any sign of thoughts of groping, friendly or otherwise.
He swallowed audibly, squeezing my hand once before releasing me. Move over, Mr. Darcy and the hand flex. We had a new contender in town.
“I shouldn’t be long helping Pace,” he said.
“Honestly, take your time. I’ve been dying to check out Cozy Creek Confectionery ever since I had a caramel apple from them the night of the pumpkin fest.”
“Just avoid the coffee,” he warned ominously. “Okay, I’ll comeget you from there. I shouldn’t be more than an hour,” he said before he bent and kissed my cheek.
Kissed. My. Cheek.
Like we were a couple saying goodbye. We stared at each other for what was easily a millennium. His mouth and eyes were wide. Mine were probably the same.
“Oh,” I said awkwardly and lifted a hand to my cheek. “That was nice.”
“Sorry. That was—I didn’t mean?—”
“It’s okay,” I said, even as my heart cartwheeled in my chest. I shook my head and began backing up, ready to turn away. “No biggie.”
“Right.” He cleared his throat. “See ya.”
“Yep,” I said in a voice a few octaves higher.
It was far more innocent than our last kiss, but I found myself pressing a hand to my chest as I walked away, sucking in my lips to keep from smiling. I couldn’t help how charmed I was by the whole exchange.
Forget groping; let’s get more slightly awkward but wholesome PDA.
“Well, isn’t that a sight to see,” a woman’s voice said as I crossed over to the opposite street’s sidewalk.
An older woman was sitting, one leg in a cast propped up on a chair outside Cozy Creek Confectionery.
“That was—I think he just—We aren’t really—I don’t know what we are, to be frank,” I said. “Hi. I’m Claire Wells. I’m staying up at Levi’s place.”
“I’m Gigi. This is my shop. I’m currently laid up, but my granddaughter is in town helping out.” She gestured a hand to where Levi had just kissed my cheek.
Remember that? Remember how he kissed my cheek like it was the most natural thing in the world?
“That’s none of my business, doll. I’m just happy to see Levi come down from that place and not all by himself. It is what Lily would have wanted.”
“Were you friends with Lily Carmichael?” I asked as curiosity mobilized my feet in her direction.
“I was. We all were,” she said with a smile.
“Levi showed me some of her photos. I’d love to know more about her.”
“Did he now? Well, well.” Her eyebrows lifted higher in surprise. “Why don’t you come in and tell us about it, and I’ll answer your questions about Lily.”
Inside, I was introduced to Gigi’s granddaughter Madi, a stunningly gorgeous woman my age with perfectly manicured nails, highlighted hair, and designer clothes. I tried not to be hyper-aware of my oversized sweater, undone face, and hair in a messy bun, but there was no need to feel self-conscious. Both women welcomed me warmly, and we sat and chatted like instant new-old friends. We talked over each other, bouncing jokes and rapidly changing topics in the best way. And neither of them seemed to mind my stream of consciousness oversharing. They gave me several more story ideas for my online journal and the people I could talk to in town, and I was excited at that prospect.Not in the same way I felt about a new story but like a little sugary treat for my brain and the few regular readers I now had.
It was nice to sit and chat with these women. It soothed a part of me that I didn’t know needed soothing. I loved my father, we were close as could be, but there must have been something on an evolutionary level that made sitting around chatting with these two feel so comforting, so natural.
We talked about Lily and all she meant to the town and how devastating the loss was.
“I still wish there was something we could do,” Gigi said. “But Levi won’t talk to anybody. He barely talks to Pace.”
As they spoke, more information came to the surface about the less charming aspects of Lily’s past. Of course, there had been a man who had swept through town and broke her heart.
At some point, I decided this was the sign I needed. I was eager to get back to Little Cabin and learn more. An idea was forming, and I needed focus and quiet.
