Page 16 of Lavender and Honey

I nodded gratefully, relieved that they weren't pushing the issue. "Thank you," I murmured. "It's certainly something to think about."

As Jake, Elias, and Finn discussed quantities and pricing, I found my mind wandering. The idea of expanding my store's offerings was both exciting and terrifying. On one hand, it could bring in new customers and add a fresh element to my shop. On the other, it would mean opening up my carefully constructed sanctuary to more scrutiny, more interaction.

"Well, gentlemen, I think we've covered everything for today. Shall we set up another meeting in a few weeks to finalize details?"

As the men began to gather their things, I felt a mix of relief and an unexpected twinge of disappointment. The meeting had been surprisingly comfortable, despite my initial anxiety. I stood, reaching for my now empty mug.

“It was nice meeting you Lydia. I hope to see you again soon.” Jake told me, giving me another smile before leaving me alone with Elias and Finn. I glanced at the two, feeling awkward again.

“It was nice seeing you again, Lydia," Elias said, his warm smile making my heart flutter. "Will you be at the market this weekend?"

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. "Yes, I'll be there. I need to restock on some of your preserves."

Finn chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "Better get there early. I know some of them sell out within the hour.” He looked to Elias, who had a blush dusting his cheeks as Finn gave him a loving look.

“I wil—” What I was going to say was interrupted by the sound of my stomach growling. My cheeks heated up and I was sure they were bright red in embarrassment.

A small grin slowly grew onto Elias’s lips, “Or…if you would like to come have lunch with us. I would love to talk to you longer if you have no other plans.” I hesitated, caught off guard but the hopeful smile on his face made me melt and give a nod in agreement.

I just hoped this wouldn’t come back to bite me later.

Chapter Ten

"I...okay," I heard myself say, surprising even myself with the acceptance. "Lunch sounds nice." The words felt foreign on my tongue, as if someone else had spoken them. When was the last time I'd shared a meal with someone other than Avery?

Elias's face lit up, his warm honey scent spiking with happiness. "Wonderful! There's a great little bistro just down the street. They have the most amazing sandwiches."

Finn nodded in agreement, his green eyes twinkling. "And their soup is to die for," he added. "Perfect for a day like today."

As we stepped out of the café, I felt a flutter of nervousness in my stomach. The busy street seemed overwhelming after the welcoming interior of The Cozy Corner. Elias must have sensed my unease because he gently placed a hand on my lower back, guiding me along. I felt a jolt at his touch but let him continue to guide me out more into the busy streets and sidewalk.

“It's not that far.” Elias told me as he let his hand drop to his side. I blinked up at him and gave a nod, still feeling a bit out of my element.

The walk to the restaurant was mercifully short, giving me little time to second guess my decision. Elias and Finn flanked me on either side, their presence both comforting and slightly overwhelming. The crisp air carried the scent of blooming flowers and freshly baked bread from a nearby bakery, mingling with Elias's honey-sweet aroma and Finn's earthy, woodsy scent.

"Here we are," Elias announced, stopping in front of a cozy looking bistro. The scent of fresh bread and herbs wafted from the open door, making my stomach growl again despite my nervousness.

Finn held the door open, ushering us inside with a gentle smile. "After you," he said, his deep voice surprisingly soft.

The interior was warm and inviting, with exposed brick walls and soft lighting. A hostess greeted us with a bright smile, leading us to a quiet corner booth.

As I settled into the booth, I found myself sandwiched between Elias and Finn. Their larger frames seemed to envelop me, and I felt a mixture of comfort and unease at their proximity. The leather of the seat creaked softly as we adjusted, and I couldn't help but notice how Elias's thigh brushed against mine. A shiver ran through me at the contact, and I quickly averted my gaze to the menu before me.

I tried to keep my eyes on the menu, Elias's honey-sweet scent mingled with Finn's earthy aroma, creating a heady mixture that made my head spin slightly.

"So, Lydia," Finn began, his deep voice gentle as he turned towards me. "How long have you owned your art supply store?"

I blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the question. "Oh, um, about a year now," I replied softly, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of the menu. "It's been... quite an adventure."

Elias leaned in slightly, his warmth radiating against my side. "That's impressive," he said, his eyes on me, “Though it is surprising it took a year for us to meet you.”

I bit my lip at this, it actually didn’t surprise me. It took me a while to actually go out and interact with people. I had been keeping to myself and only doing the minimal interactions.

“I stayed to myself a lot and had prioritized getting the shop going before anything. That might be why.” I wasn’t going to tell them the real reason. That I wasn’t comfortable going out, that I didn’t want to be around people.

“So what is good here?” I asked, changing the subject. There was a pause from the other two before Elias spoke up.

"Their grilled chicken sandwich is excellent," Elias offered, his voice gentle as if sensing my unease. "And Finn wasn't exaggerating about the soup."

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