Page 13 of Lavender and Honey

Isat in my car for several long moments, staring at the quaint café across the street. Its warm, inviting facade seemed to beckon me, promising a moment of respite from the unfamiliar surroundings. The Alpha's— Jake's— words echoed in my mind. His unexpected kindness had caught me off guard, leaving me feeling both wary and intrigued.

"Just a quick cup of tea," I murmured to myself, fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel. "Then straight home." Though I said this to myself, I knew a cup of tea would make me feel better and calm me down. With a deep breath, I gathered my courage and stepped out of the car. The short walk to the café felt like crossing a vast expanse, each step taking me further from my comfort zone. As I pushed open the door, a gentle chime announced my arrival, and the rich aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries enveloped me.

The interior was cozy, with warm wood accents and soft lighting that created an intimate atmosphere. A few patronssat scattered at small tables, engrossed in books or quiet conversation. I made my way to the counter, scanning the menu board as I approached.

"Welcome to The Cozy Corner," a cheerful voice greeted me. I looked up to see a young woman with a bright smile and curly red hair pulled back into a messy bun. Her scent was subtle but distinctly Omega, and I felt a flicker of surprise at seeing another Omega working so confidently in a public setting. "What can I get for you today?"

I hesitated, scanning the menu board above her head. "Um, just a chamomile tea, please," I said softly, fishing in my purse for my wallet.

"Absolutely! Would you like that for here or to go?"

I hesitated for a moment, torn between the desire to retreat to the safety of my car and the allure of the café's peaceful ambiance. "For here," I decided, surprising myself.

The barista nodded, “Alright. It will be two seventy-five.” I paid and moved to the side to be out of the way. As I waited for my tea, I found myself drawn to the cozy nook in the corner. The overstuffed armchair looked inviting, its worn leather promising comfort. I made my way over, settling into the chair with a small sigh of relief. From this vantage point, I could observe the entire café while feeling somewhat shielded from view.

My fingers traced the spines of the books on the nearby shelf, a mix of well-loved classics and contemporary titles. I pulled out a slim volume of poetry, letting it fall open in my lap. The words blurred before my eyes, my mind too preoccupied to focus.

"Here's your chamomile," the Omega barista's voice startled me from my reverie. She set the steaming mug on the small table beside me, her smile warm and genuine. "Anything else I can get for you?"

I gave her a small smile, “No. Thank you though.” She gave a nod and left me alone. This place was comfortable and I couldsee myself coming here a bit more, just to escape and enjoy the atmosphere that was in this cafe. I let myself fully relax into the armchair, a sigh of relief escaping my lips. The gentle aroma of chamomile wafted up from the mug, already beginning to soothe my frayed nerves. I picked up the mug and took a cautious sip, savoring the warm, floral notes on my tongue.

As I sipped my tea, I found my gaze drifting around the café, taking in the quiet atmosphere and eclectic decor. Mismatched furniture and local artwork gave the place a homey, lived in feel. My eyes lingered on a painting near the counter— a vibrant landscape of rolling hills and wildflowers that reminded me of the countryside around Haven's Rest.

A soft chime drew my attention to the door as a new customer entered. My breath caught in my throat as I recognized the tall, broad shouldered figure of Jake, the Alpha from the art supply store. He scanned the room briefly before his gaze settled on me, a look of recognition crossing his face. I tensed, gripping my mug tighter as he approached.

"Mind if I join you?" Jake asked, his voice low and gentle. "I promise I'm not following you— I am meeting a local who has merchandise to put in our store.”

I hesitated, my instinct to flee warring with an unexpected curiosity. Jake's demeanor was calm, his scent lacking any hint of aggression. After a moment, I gave a small nod.

"Sure," I murmured, gesturing to the empty chair across from me. Jake settled into it with a grateful smile.

"Thank you," he said, setting his cup of coffee on the table next to him, "I hope I'm not interrupting your quiet time."

I shook my head, still wary but finding myself oddly at ease in his presence. "It's fine," I replied softly. "I was just...thinking."

Jake nodded, his green eyes studying me with gentle interest. "First time exploring outside of Haven's Rest?" he asked.

I nodded, my fingers tracing the rim of my mug. "Is it that obvious?" I hadn’t felt the want or need to really explore, but I guess Avery was right. I needed to get out of my comfort zone and live my life.

Jake chuckled, the sound warm and surprisingly comforting. "A little," he admitted. "But there's nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs to start somewhere."

I nodded, taking another sip of my tea to hide my uncertainty. Jake seemed content to let the silence stretch between us, his presence oddly calming despite my usual wariness around Alphas.

"So," he said after a moment, his tone conversational, "what brings you out this way? Besides the obvious need for art supplies, of course."

I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "I needed some... personal items," I said vaguely, my hand unconsciously drifting to my neck where the new scent blocker stick was applied. "Things I couldn't find in Haven's Rest."

Jake's eyes followed the movement, a flicker of understanding crossing his face. "Ah," he said softly, but I could tell he knew what I was talking about.

I bit my lip as I shifted in my seat, “I hadn’t planned on shopping but I am glad I did…for my own personal art…and for some new products for my store."

Jake's eyebrows raised slightly. "You own a store? In Haven's Rest?"

I nodded, a small surge of pride warming my chest. "An art supply store. It's small, but..."

"But it's yours," Jake finished, understanding in his eyes. From the way his eyes softened I knew he understood what I meant.

“Yeah. It's mine… and I love having some time to do my own art as well.” Which was true. I loved being able to make artduring the time my store was open. Though, I needed to talk to Avery about selling my art again. I haven’t done so in about a year… and I had no contacts now that I wasn’t with my family anymore. Maybe it was time to put myself back out there.

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