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“I’msogladIwas able to tear you away fromAdamlong enough for this,” saidAutumn, her cheeks glowing as she hooked her arm throughHazel’s.She’dbeen inGossamerFallsfor almost ten days, and it was astounding how much had changed in the span of less than two weeks.She’dmet and started to fall forAdam, started working on a new book, and had begun questioning just about everything about the way she’d been living her life up to that point.Shewould’ve thought that by now, she’d be going crazy with missing the city, but she didn’t.Shewanted to stay here and drink hot chocolate and browseAllBookedUp, the cute little bookstore, and watch movies by the fire withAdam.Shewanted to have girls’ nights withAutumnandSiennaandLaurel—like she was doing tonight—and spend her weekends learning to cook and hiking and falling asleep withAdam’shuge, warm body pressed against hers.
Itwas as though her entire life had shifted.Andit had all started with that night at the falls.Somethinghad felt different since then.Beforebeing “kissed by the mist,” before having her tarot cards read with startling accuracy, she’d felt certain that she wasn’t ready for dating or love.Butnow, just a week into her relationship withAdam, she had to admit that being with him felt obvious, in the best possible way.
“Metoo,” she said, givingAutumn’sarm a squeeze as they walked downMainStreet.Autumnhad picked her up at the hotel and parked in her usual spot atHemlockSquare.Itwas after dark, but the street was cheerily lit with glowing streetlamps, illuminating the receding puddles from the rain they’d had that morning.Acool gust of wind blew, swirling the leaves around their feet as they walked, the rustling sound soothing.
PourDecisions, the town’s pub, was located at the corner ofMainandBalsam, in an old stone building.Thefront was all trimmed in thick beams of wood, just like a properEnglishpub, the hand-lettered sign crowned with a row of red and orange mums in overflowing pots.Thefront doors were solid wood with enormous polished brass handles, and warm light glowed from the front window that looked out onto the street.
“IthinkLaurelandSiennaare already here at our usual table,”Autumnsaid, yanking open the door and holding it forHazel.
Hazelgasped when she stepped inside.Itwasn’t anything like she’d been expecting.Theexterior was allBritishpub, but the interior was pureGossamerFalls.Brightlycolored tapestries hung on the wood paneled walls, and the dark parquet floor beneath their feet was polished and waxed to a high shine.Inthe center of the room, a large, modern fireplace rose up to the ceiling, open so that it was visible on both sides.Abuilt in nook rose up beside it, filled with neatly stacked firewood.Themantel was decorated with a mix of plants and historical photographs of the area.
Aneccentric mix of wood tables and chairs were dotted throughout the space, with large booths in the corners.Nearthe fireplace was a long couch in a striking burnt orange color, with a few colorful ottomans scattered around it.Tothe right, a long bar took up the back corner, bottles lining the backlit shelves, with old-timey alcohol advertisements framed and hanging above the highest shelf.
Thefire crackled warmly and soft jazz floated through the speakers, mingling with the low hum of conversation and the clinking of glasses.Hazelcould smell the woodsmoke, the ale, and something delicious that smelled like butter and garlic.
Autumnled her to a booth in the far left corner, whereSiennaandLaurelwere both already sipping glasses of wine and deep in conversation.Theysat, andAutumnlifted her hand in a wave to an attractive blond man working the bar.Hewaved back, winking.
“Itake it that’sBeckett,” she said, tipping her head in the bartender’s direction.Severalyoung women flanked the bar, openly vying for his attention.
“Yep,” saidAutumn. “Inall his glory.I’llgo order us a round.Whatwould you like?”
Hazelgestured atSiennaandLaurel’sglasses. “Whitewine sounds good.”
“Perfect.Beright back.”Sherose and made her way to the bar.
“How’severything going?” askedSiennawarmly, turning her attention toHazel. “Withthe book andeverything.”Hazeldidn’t miss the emphasis she put on the last word.Clearly, the fact that she was datingAdamwas now common knowledge among the residents ofGossamerFalls.
“Honestly, things are great,” she said with a little shrug. “Thebook is great,Adamis great.”SheandAdamhadn’t yet told anyone that they were writing a book together, deciding to keep that quiet until they knew for sure if the book was something that could actually come to fruition.Hazeldidn’t mind sharing, butAdamhad dealt with publishing failure in the past, and he didn’t want to publicly broadcast what might be another failed venture, which she understood.Theother factor wasSeth.Hazelknew thatAlexhad had lunch with him today, andAlexhad sent her a quick email saying thatSethwas going to call sometime within the next few days.Itfelt like everything was hanging in the balance.
“Okay, quick, beforeAutumngets back,” saidLaurel, glancing around conspiratorially. “Ona scale of one to ten, how doesAdamrate in the bedroom department?Becausebetween you and me, that looks like a man who can get it.”
Siennasmacked her twin’s arm. “Gross.Idated his brother for like, forever.Idon’t want to think aboutAdamthat way.”
“Thenplug your ears, becauseIwant details.”
Hazelhesitated.Memoriesof everything she’d shared withLeahpushed up to the surface, making her want to close in on herself and not let anyone in.She’dshared everything with her, and when the shit had hit the fan,Hazelhad been left feeling humiliated.Butthen she looked around, looked atLaurelandSienna, who’d been nothing but welcoming and open with her, and realized that this wasn’t the same situation.Andif she treated it as such, then she’d never move past the hurt thatLeahcaused.
Andshe wanted to move past it.Fora long time, she’d clung to it, to the point where being the “woman wronged” had become how she’d seen herself.Howshe’d identified and defined herself.When, in truth, she was so much more than that, if she’d step out of the cocoon she’d forced herself into for survival.
Butshe’d survived.Nowshe needed to thrive, and that meant stepping out of that little cocoon and spreading her wings.
“He’sa solid twelve and a half,” she said toLaurel, grinning. “Atleast.”
Laurelpumped her fist. “Iknew it!Ialways had such a crush on him, but he was never interested.Ithink he just saw me as his kid sister’s friend.”
“Donot let her make you feel bad,” saidSienna, shaking her head. “Laurelwas boy crazy as a teen and she’s had a crush on just about every man between the ages of twenty-five and fifty in this town.”
“Hey!” saidLaurel, frowning indignantly. “Howdare you describe me accurately?”Herfrown morphed into a smile, and they all laughed.Justthen,Autumnreturned with two glasses of wine, setting them down on the table.
“Howmuch doIowe you?” askedHazel, reaching for her wallet, butAutumnwaved her away.
“Firstround’s on me.”Shetook a sip of her wine and then leaned on her elbows, practically batting her eyelashes atHazel. “So…” she said, the single syllable heavy with expectation.
Hazelrolled her eyes good naturedly and then laughed. “Okay, okay.Youwere right about me andAdambeing a good match.”
“DamnrightIwas.”Shesipped her wine. “Sothings are going well?”
Hazelnodded. “Reallywell.He’s…”Shelet out a dreamy sigh and everyone laughed.Thething was, she hadn’t done it for comedic effect.Hereally made her feel that way. “It’sthe real deal,” she said with a little shrug. “We’retalking butterflies and that giddy feeling when he walks into the room and thinking about him constantly.”
