Page 14 of Lavender and Honey

Jake nodded, a look of genuine interest on his face. "That's wonderful. There's something special about owning your own business, isn't there? The freedom to create the environment you want, to curate your own selection."

I found myself nodding along, surprised by how easily he seemed to understand. "Exactly. It's… it's more than just a store. It's a sanctuary, in a way."

Jake's eyes lit up at that. "A sanctuary. I like that. That's how Sarah and I feel about our shop too." He paused, taking a sip of his coffee before continuing.

"What kind of art do you create?" He asked, his voice warm with a genuine interest that I wasn’t expecting him to have. The Alphas I have met never seemed to have an interest in my art at all. Then again, those Alphas all had been wanting me as their Omega and didn’t see me as anything but their future baby maker.

I hesitated, unused to discussing my work with him. But there was something about Jake's gentle demeanor that put me at ease. "Mostly watercolors," I admitted softly. "Landscapes, sometimes abstract pieces. Whatever speaks to me in the moment."

Jake's eyes lit up. "Watercolors can be so expressive," he said. "Sarah, she loves watercolor. Says it's like capturing a fleeting moment on paper."

I felt a small smile tugging at my lips. "That's a beautiful way to describe it," I murmured, thinking of the way colors blended and flowed on the page, creating something new and unexpected.

"Do you sell your work?" Jake asked, taking another sip of his coffee as he looked at me.

I hesitated at Jake's question, my fingers tightening around my mug. "I used to," I admitted softly, memories of gallery openings and excited buyers flashing through my mind. "But not since… not in the past year or so."

Jake nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Taking a break can be good," he said. "Gives you time to refocus, find new inspiration."

I gave a small nod, not wanting to delve into the real reasons behind my artistic hiatus. "Something like that," I murmured.

Jake seemed to sense my reluctance to elaborate. He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed and non-threatening. "Well, if you ever decide to start selling again, let us know. We showcase local artists in our shop from time to time."

The offer caught me off guard, a mix of excitement and anxiety fluttering in my chest. "That's very kind of you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'll... I'll think about it."

Jake smiled warmly. "No pressure. The offer stands whenever you're ready." He glanced at his watch, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "Oh, I should get going. My appointment will be here soon." He stood, gathering his coffee cup. "It was nice chatting with you..."

“Lydia.”

I jumped at the sound of my name, blinking as I turned with wide eyes to Elias. He was next to another man, one that had stopped by the shop before…the Alpha. I blinked at the two, not knowing what to say. Today was getting more and more interesting, though I didn’t know if I liked it.

Chapter Nine

The air in the café seemed to thicken as I stared at Elias and his companion, my mind racing to process this unexpected encounter. Elias's warm honey scent washed over me, mingling with the earthy aroma of the Alpha beside him. My heart hammered in my chest as I struggled to find words.

"Lydia," Elias repeated, a warm smile spreading across his face. "I thought that was you. What brings you all the way out here?"

I froze, my heart racing as I looked between Elias and the Alpha beside him. The sudden appearance of the two men left me feeling exposed, as if I'd been caught doing something I shouldn't. My fingers tightened around my mug, seeking some anchor in the swirling sea of anxiety that threatened to overwhelm me.

"Oh, um, just... running some errands," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. My eyes darted to Jake, silently pleading for help, though I wasn't sure what I expected him to do.

Jake, seeming to sense my discomfort, smoothly interjected. "Elias, Finn, good to see you both. Right on time for our meeting."

Finn.

The name tugged at my memory— the woodcarver Elias had mentioned at the market. He was also the Alpha that had come in to get paint for a project. I bit my lip as I tried to keep my composure as I looked between Elias, Finn, and Jake. The sudden convergence of these three men— two of whom I barely knew and one I had just met— left me feeling overwhelmed and exposed. My fingers tightened around my mug as I struggled to find words.

“Nice to see you again Elias.” I managed, my voice soft. I glanced at Finn, offering a small nod of recognition. "And... Finn, right? We met briefly at my shop the other day."

Finn's green eyes lit with recognition. "That's right," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of warmth that surprised me. "I didn't expect to run into you here. Small world."

Elias looked between us, his expression curious. "You two have met?" he asked, a hint of something I couldn't quite identify in his tone.

"Yes," I replied softly, my eyes flickering between Elias and Finn. "Finn came into my shop recently to buy some paints."

Elias's eyebrows raised slightly, a look of intrigue crossing his face. "I see," he murmured, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary. The intensity in his hazel eyes made my heart skip a beat, and I quickly looked away, focusing on my half empty mug of tea.

Jake cleared his throat, breaking the tension that had settled over our small group. "Well, since we're all here, why don't we grab a table together? That is, if you don't mind, Lydia?" His tone was gentle, leaving me an easy out if I wanted to flee.

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