Page 20 of Lavender and Honey

As I approached the market, the familiar buzz of activity washed over me. The air was filled with the scents of fresh produce, baked goods, and the earthy aroma of flowers. Vendors called out greetings to regular customers, and children laughed as they darted between stalls.

I made my way through the bustling market, my eyes scanning the familiar stalls. The vibrant colors of fresh produce and handcrafted goods surrounded me, a stark contrast to the muted tones I usually favored. As I walked, I found myself noticing details I'd overlooked before— the intricate patterns on a handwoven blanket, the delicate brush strokes on a painted vase. My fingers itched to capture these moments on canvas.

My heart quickened as I approached Elias's stall, a mix of anticipation and nervousness fluttering in my chest. I spotted him before he saw me, his chestnut hair catching the morning light as he arranged jars on his table. Finn stood beside him, histall frame unmistakable even from a distance, carefully placing intricately carved wooden boxes among the display.

For a moment, I hesitated, torn between approaching them or retreating to the safety of anonymity. But before I could decide, Elias looked up and our eyes met. His face lit up with a warm smile that made my breath catch.

"Lydia!" Elias called out, his warm smile widening as he caught sight of me. "It's so good to see you again."

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks as I approached their stall, hyper aware of the curious glances from nearby vendors and shoppers. "Hi Elias, Finn," I said softly, offering a small smile in return. "How are you both?"

"We're doing well," Finn replied, his deep voice gentle as he gave me a welcoming nod, “We were hoping we'd see you today."

"You were?" I asked, surprised by the admission. The idea that they had been thinking of me, hoping to see me, sent a strange thrill through my body.

Elias nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! We enjoyed having lunch with you this week. We hoped to spend more time with you.”

I could feel the blush coming to my cheeks at his words, as I felt his eyes look over me and grin. His scent wrapped around me like a warm embrace. "I love your sweater— that color really suits you."

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks at his compliment. "Thank you," I murmured, ducking my head slightly. "I don't wear this color often…or sweaters since they get in the way when I paint.”

"Well, you should wear it more often," Elias said warmly. "It really brings out the blue in your eyes."

I felt my blush deepen at his words, a flutter of warmth blooming in my chest. It had been so long since anyone had complimented me like that, with such genuine appreciation.

Finn nodded in agreement, his green eyes twinkling. "Elias is right. It's a lovely color on you." He paused, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "You know, I think I have some wood stain in a similar shade. It might make for some beautiful pieces."

I blinked in surprise, touched that my choice of clothing could inspire their work. "Oh, that's... that's really nice of you to say," I murmured, my fingers unconsciously tracing the soft fabric of my sleeve.

“Speaking of painting, I'd love to see some of your work sometime," he said warmly. "If you're comfortable with that, of course." Elias's eyes lit up at the mention of the paintings.

I felt a flutter of nervousness in my stomach at the idea of sharing my art. It had been so long since I'd shown my work to anyone outside of Avery. But there was something in Elias's gentle expression that made me want to open up, just a little.

"Maybe someday," I said softly, offering a small smile. "I'm still... getting back into it."

Finn nodded understandingly. "Art can be such a personal thing," he said, his deep voice soothing. "But I hope you will share it with us when you are comfortable.” I felt a warmth spread through my chest at their understanding. It was so different from what I was used to, but I could definitely get used to it.

I gave another smile, not knowing what to say to the kind words. Elias must have sensed my discomfort because he gently changed the subject. "Well, there's no pressure. We're just glad you're here today. Can I interest you in trying our new apricot wildflower preserve? I think you'll love it.”

I felt a wave of relief and gratitude wash over me at Elias's gentle change of subject. "That sounds wonderful," I said, my smile growing more genuine. "I've been looking forward to trying your new preserves."

Elias beamed, reaching for a jar on the table. "I think you'll really enjoy this one," he said, his honey-warm scent spiking with excitement. "The apricots were perfectly ripe, and the wildflower honey adds just the right touch of sweetness."

As he opened the jar, the rich aroma of apricots and honey filled the air. I closed my eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply. When I opened them again, I found both Elias and Finn watching me with soft smiles.

"Here," Elias said, offering me a small spoon with a dollop of the preserve. "Try it."

I took the spoon, inhaling the sweet, fruity aroma before tasting it. The flavor exploded on my tongue— bright and tangy from the apricots, with a delicate floral sweetness from the honey. It was perfectly balanced, neither too sweet nor too tart.

"Oh, wow," I murmured, my eyes widening in delight. "That's amazing. I bet with one of your breads it would be even better.” I smiled brightly at him, and I saw Elias blink as pink dusted his cheeks. I had never seen him flustered yet, and this made my smile grow.

Finn, who stood there watching us, laughed seeing the flustered Elias, “You don’t blush like that when we compliment your creations.”

Elias gave Finn a small glare, but there was no real heat behind it. "That's because you three are biased," he said, a hint of playfulness in his tone, “and it's different coming from Lydia," he said, his cheeks still flushed.

I felt my own cheeks warm at being included in their playful banter. It felt... nice. Natural, even. "Well, biased or not, it really is delicious," I said softly. "I'll definitely need to buy a jar. Or two…I have a feeling it won’t last long."

Elias beamed at me, his honey-warm scent spiking with happiness. "I'm so glad you like it," he said, carefully wrappingup two jars for me. "And you're right, it does pair beautifully with our sourdough bread."

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