Page 4 of Lost in the Moonlight

The pride in his words shed a warm glow over me, but before I could respond, he was called over to the register by our latest new hire. Ted was a college freshman who was there simply for the paycheck. When I’d first gotten a job at the café, five years ago, it had been for my love of baking as much as for the money. The Tea Spot had given me an outlet for my creativity, but more importantly, Hector and his daughter, Shay, had brought friendship back to my life.

I grabbed a dirty dish tub from the back counter and rounded the room, collecting empty cups and trash. I hummed along to the pop song drifting through the speakers. The lyrics were about today being a fairy tale, which fit the café perfectly.

From its eighteenth-century sideboards, white-washed tables, and gold marble counters to the hand-painted artwork, The Tea Spot practically shouted magical stories. The heart of the café was the mural taking up an entire wall. It was of a woman dancing amongst woodland creatures as a younger version of Hector, dressed like a prince, rode a white stallion across the flower-filled meadow toward her. It had been added to the café by Hector’s late wife before cancer had taken her.

With the tub full, I twirled around, chatting with a customer here and there on my way back to the counter. I was still chuckling at the yoga instructor and his wife when a voice interrupted me, slithering through my good mood.

“Hey, Willow. Can I get a refill?”

I kept my smile fixed in place as I turned toward Poco. Perhaps it was the narrow slit of his eyes spaced too far apart or the slant of his nose with its tiny nostrils, but I often imagined a forked tongue flicking in and out of his too-wide mouth. Of all the regulars who came into The Tea Spot, he was the only one who made my skin crawl.

Not even his boss, Tall Paul, who everyone in Cherry Bay knew was involved in all sorts of criminal activities, made my fight-or-flight instincts spike to a fever pitch the way Poco did. It was ridiculous, considering the man had never been anything but nice to me. Plus, he tipped well whenever I helped him, and that was good for everyone.

“Absolutely, Poco!” I responded cheerfully, placing the tub on the counter before reaching for his reusable tumbler. “Traditional medium roast, like always?”

He nodded. I felt his eyes on me the entire time I topped off his drink from the large carafe. When I returned, I set the cup on the counter so I wouldn’t risk touching him. Whenever I did, all my alarm bells jangled even stronger.

Poco’s gaze slid down me, and I was grateful the apron I wore covered most of me. When his eyes returned to my face, they glinted with an interest I’d never take him up on—and not just because my skin prickled around him or because he was at least fifteen years older than me. I’d simply never take anyone up on that look unless they could accept the possible limitations of my life. While I saw nothing wrong with other people losing themselves in pleasure for one night, I wanted more than that for myself, and Poco certainly wasn’t offering forever after. No matter how short of a time I had on this earth, I was determined to have what my parents once had—the kind of love that included dancing in the kitchen, tender touches, and doe-eyed looks.

“You’ve been back in town, what, a year now?” Poco asked. His tone seemed friendly, as if he was simply making chitchat, so why did it make me want to run?

“Ten months,” I told him.

“Ten months and I haven’t heard a whisper of you going out on a date with anyone. I think we should change that. You deserve a good time,” he said with a smirk.

I bit my lip, trying not to snort at the knee-deep innuendos.

“I’m not really in a dating space, Poco, but thanks for thinking of me.”

He shook his head, lips sliding wider, showing off those tiny teeth and making me imagine the slide of a forked tongue all over again. “I’ll wear you down eventually.”

I barely stopped myself from rolling my eyes and, instead, gave him my best pacifying smile, saying, “Eventually isn’t today.”

He rapped his knuckles on the counter, dropped a couple of twenties into the tip jar, and then strolled out, whistling an upbeat song that somehow sent a chill over my skin.

“Need me to set him straight?” Hector asked, coming up behind me with a frown forming between his heavy brows as he watched Poco leave.

His protectiveness chased away the clouds Poco had brought with him. My smile was genuine this time when I pushed at the crease between his brows. “Not unless you feel like starting a war with Tall Paul.” When he didn’t relax, I added gently, “It’s harmless, Hector, really. I can handle turning him down once a month from now until eternity if it keeps the peace. I’m rarely out front anyway.”

Since I’d returned from culinary school, I’d taken over the baking of the pastries five days a week, which meant I rarely left the kitchen. I no longer had to put Poco off every day like I once had. It also meant coming to work when the skies were still dark, but I loved the quiet time spent creating. Plus, I was off bynoon, leaving plenty of time to play around with my own ideas at home.

When Hector still didn’t look convinced, I eased up on my toes, kissed his smooth cheek, and said, “Thanks for offering to defend me. Mom will be singing your praises when I tell her.”

And that finally did it. His entire face softened, and a faint blush stole over his face.

My heart squished.

Now, if I could only maneuver them into finally going out on an actual date.

It had been almost six years now since Dad had been killed, and the dark of those first few years was finally leaving us. These days, I caught more and more glimpses of the laughing, upbeat Mom I’d grown up with rather than the sober, serious human who’d barely survived day by day.

It was time for Mom to reach out and take what was in front of her. I wanted to do the same, but I hadn’t foundmyHector—a man who would completely dote on a partner. I’d heard enough stories from Shay about her parents to know he’d do just that. Sophia had been gone fifteen years, and Hector was still as single as my mom. They both deserved to have love shine in their lives again, and Shay and I were determined to make it happen.

I went back into the kitchen, my mind whirling with ways to thrust Hector and Mom together as I cleaned up my mess from the last batch of scones. After I took the garbage out one more time, I stepped into the office and stuffed my apron into the bin of linens before heading to the small set of lockers lined up on the wall for employees.

I pulled the clip from my long hair and let it swing down below my shoulders, reveling in the freedom after hours of having it pinned tight under a plastic cap. I grabbed the whitechiffon maxi-skirt I didn’t need but loved and pulled it on over my leggings. Gauzy fabrics always lifted my spirits, and if they hadn’t been a hazard in the kitchen, I would live in them.

As I slung my patchwork bag over my shoulder, I caught sight of myself in the mirror behind Hector’s desk. My cheeks were flushed, emphasizing the line of freckles over my nose, but the upward curve of my lips finally felt natural instead of forced. Even my pale, gray eyes seemed brighter. Like Mom, I was finally letting myself be happy again.

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