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Chapter 7
Leah kicked off her heels as she entered her house. Tossing her keys in the basket, she picked up her shoes and strolled to her bedroom. After changing into her pajamas, she searched her refrigerator for leftovers and searched her leftover stir-fry on the middle shelf. After fixing herself a plate and heating it up, Leah took a seat on her couch.
Anxiety swirled through her. Modeling her own clothes for her own site? It never even crossed her mind before. Not bothering to turn the television on, she pondered the idea, eating faster than she probably should. She finished her dinner in record time, though tasting almost none of it, and walked over to her sink to wash her plate. More so than the modeling question, Leah found herself mostly preoccupied with thoughts of Cole. Glowing at even the thought of his name, Leah pressed her lips together. She headed to her bedroom.
It wouldn’t be fair to get involved with him or anyone so soon after her breakup. Though her wish to be happily coupled whispered in the back of her mind, Leah didn’t see it happening soon. Even if something brewed between her and Cole, she didn’t want him to be the rebound guy. Besides, they were friends. Leah didn’t want to tamper with that. Her emotions had already been through a rollercoaster, so dating soon wasn’t in the cards.
It would take time to get used to being single, especially since it was so contrary to what she’d always wanted. She wanted to be a wife and a mother. A half a smile tugged at her lips as she envisioned her wedding day. Her mother’s ivory floor-length wedding dress waited for her even now, tucked in the back of her closet. I wanted to wear it for Brian.
Leah rose from her seat on her bed and moved to her bookshelf in the corner. While most of the shelves contained old yearbooks and pictures from childhood, one shelf had a few books. Leah’s eyes darted to Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera. She clutched the classic in her hands and grinned. It was one of her favorites. While she usually waited until the fall, Leah pivoted and walked back to her bed.
The pages brushed together as she opened to the first chapter. She leaned her back against her headboard and crossed her ankles in front of her. Ten minutes into the book and Leah’s’ eyes drooped. Setting the alarm for the next day, she placed the book on her nightstand and turned off her lamp. She rubbed her eyes and yawned before dozing off to sleep.
****
Cole dabbed his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand. His chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. He raised his chin to admire the sunrise streaming through the clouds. During his jog, he had passed a field of sunflowers with a weathered barn in its center. Cole even spotted a flock of birds rising and flying away all at once, their chirps filling the background.
He walked back to his brother’s house to shower and change. Inwardly, he smiled. Cole then assessed his brother’s refrigerator for breakfast. The corners of hi
s mouth turned up at the sight of his mother’s dishpan, comprising her mouthwatering breakfast tacos. Cole loved them as a kid, so he wasted no time heating two in the microwave.
He played with his phone as he chewed. Scrambled eggs and bacon bits danced across his taste buds. His eyes widened when he noticed he had quite a few emails, mostly job opportunities from potential clients. Some offered jobs were out of the country, but Cole wanted to slow down from traveling. He wanted to plant roots in Piedmont Valley. Not everyone understood his decision, usually those who had never left town. For him, it took leaving to understand what he had, to value the simple things in life.
Cleaning his mess and locking the door behind him, Cole walked down the sidewalk of his brother’s neighborhood, feeling drawn almost instinctively to Adele’s Baked Goods. He smelled the cinnamon in the air long before he saw the store’s sign, making his anticipation grow. The bell chimed as he walked in and Adele greeted him behind the counter, with the corners of her eyes crinkling. Cole smiled back at his longtime friend, who treated him like a grandson. The last time he visited, he was happy to know she and her husband still portrayed Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the children at the community center every year.
“I see you’re back,” her cheery voice stated.
“I was hoping to take two your croissants for the road.”
Adele reached her gloved hands inside the display case for his order. She tilted her head. “No chocolate muffins?”
“Not today. I had to jog to get over the last one.”
Adele lifted an eyebrow. “Sweets never hurt anyone; just don’t go overboard. Besides, you look like you could use some meat on those bones.”
“I promise I’m eating. I still like the meat and potatoes. Like you said, I don’t go overboard.”
“That’s my kind of man.” She handed him his brown paper bag as she tallied up his order.
Cole waited for his change as his eyes darted to the framed photos on the walls.
“Memories?” Adele said.
He sighed. “It’s good to be home.”
“And we’re glad you’re back, Cole. You and Seth. You both were quite a force to be reckoned with back in the day.”
Cole rubbed his forehead. “I don’t think we’ll ever live down the fireworks.”
She winked. “Best New Year’s Eve party this town has ever seen.” She handed him his change.
“I agree. Have a good day, Miss. Adele. Tell Mr. Victor I said hello.”
A corner of her mouth lifted. “You know what, Cole. Our fortieth anniversary is coming up soon. I think I’d like some photos. Do you think you could help us out with that?”
Cole beamed. “Of course. Let me know when you’re ready and we can set up an appointment at my studio.”
Adele clapped her hands in obvious excitement, her crystal blue eyes sparkling at him. “You’re such a good man, Cole. I better get an invitation to your wedding.”
