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He gave me a kiss on the cheek and gazed deep into my eyes. His blue eyes were sad and empathetic. “Noelle, I’m here if you need me, lass. Just a phone call away,” he sighed and looked over to where my mother was watching us, “or merely next door if you need to get away. Don’t let anything make you doubt your own feelings, sweetheart. Not anyone.”

I knew what he was trying to say.

Mama is going on a long diatribe about how fresh flowers can completely change the atmosphere of any place. I interrupt her with a sudden question.

“Why are you so angry, Mama? Are you angry at men because of me? Because Daddy left you after I came along? Or is it something more? Do you believe there aren’t any good men out there at all?” I rarely asked Mama about her past. She was a firm believer in moving on from the past and only looking towards the future.

Her mouth opens and then closes in surprise. Her eyes narrow. “This Irishman has you asking these questions, doesn’t he?” She sighs, long and hard. Then her shoulders fall. She reaches out a hand to hold my chin. “I will never regret you, Noelle. No man on Earth could ever make me do that. You’re the best thing in my life. As for men, in my experience, they run when things get hard.” She shrugs. “It’s just in their nature. We’re left holding the bag while they run for the hills.” Her eyes have a distant look in them as she looks out my front window into the night. “I once tried to convince myself that they could be different. I got disappointed time and time again. You know what they say. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me once, twice on me…” She turns and her mouth twists into a sad smile. “Wonder what they would say if you get fooled a lot more than that.”

I grab her hands. “I’m sorry, Mama. For all you went through.” But maybe there is someone out there for me? Maybe Luca is different? A battle rages within me.

“Anyway, enough of being sad about that. You’ve got a shop opening in two days and I’m here to help. Let’s focus on that.” She lets out a small yawn. “And maybe get some sleep for a moment. Now, where can I get some shut eye around here?”

I show her the guest room and then sit in the living room for a long time looking out into the night. I can see the lights on at Luca’s place.

I physically ache to be with him. Maybe I’m crazy. Maybe he would disappoint me just the way Mama was always disappointed.

I should let him go. I should let him find someone who won’t always be plagued by these doubts. I should…but can I?

Chapter thirteen

Luca

I want her to realize that we have a chance at something truly wonderful. -Luca

I tug at my collar again. This stupid tie is going to strangle me. I was not cut out for dressing up. Reg is the one that convinced me that this monstrosity is the best thing to wear to Noelle’s grand opening.

I can see as I approach that it’s a big event. Noelle decided to throw a party the night before she has her traditional opening tomorrow. I glance around, noticing how people spill out onto Maple Lane. Noelle has done well in getting the public excited about the new store.

I stop and say hello to Ms. Shelly from the Book Nook Bookstore and to Hank. The cool, crisp air of autumn gives the night a chilly feeling. The same chilly feeling I’m beginning to get from Noelle.

She hasn’t reached out to me again since her mother arrived. I’ve seen them come and go, heads together talking, as they pass my studio. I know what her mother is telling her. That I don’t care about her. That I only want her for one reason.

And I won’t deny that my body aches for her. At night I reach for her. I miss the feeling of her body underneath mine. I miss the way she feels in my arms. But I also just miss her.

I miss her feistiness. The way we would bicker over the smallest thing. The way she would make me laugh. The way her eyes twinkled when she looked up at me and the way that she made me feel like I was capable of anything when I was in her presence. I miss it all.

I hear her laugh as soon as I walk into the shop. There must be forty to fifty people crammed in here, but over all the noise I hear her laugh.

And across the room, our eyes automatically meet. Her brown eyes, dancing with merriment at first, dim. She sends me a half smile. I lift my hand in greeting.

Just give me a sign, lass. Give me a sign that you care, that you feel the way I do.

All she does is turn back to the person she was talking to before.

Chapter fourteen

Noelle

How will our story end? -Noelle

Tonight’s turnout is better than I could have ever hoped for. Practically everyone that got an invitation came. Everyone.

I glance over at Luca again. He’s pretending to make conversation with Esther. I say pretending because his gaze keeps sliding over to me. I know he’s wondering what’s going on, why I haven’t spoken to him in the last couple of days. Why didn’t I respond to his good night messages last night or the night before?

I fold my arms over my stomach and pretend to listen to the mayor drone on and on about his plans for Maple Lane Falls. I would be interested any other night, just not tonight. My gaze skitters over to Luca again. He looks damn good in a suit.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and almost jump.