Page 15 of Lavender and Honey

I hesitated, caught between the desire to flee and an unexpected pull to stay. I gave a timid smile, “That is fine. I can leave if you would like so you can talk without an outsider.”

"Nonsense," Elias said, his voice warm and inviting. "You're not an outsider, Lydia. Please, join us if you'd like." I felt a flutter in my chest at his words, a mix of anxiety and something else I couldn't quite name. My eyes darted between the three men, each watching me with varying degrees of interest and kindness.

"I... I wouldn't want to intrude," I murmured, my fingers fidgeting with the handle of my mug.

"You wouldn't be intruding," Elias assured me, his warm honey scent washing over me in a comforting wave. "We'd love to have your input, especially as a fellow business owner in Haven's Rest."

"I... okay," I found myself saying, surprising even myself. "If you're sure I won't be intruding."

I hesitated, my instinct to retreat warring with an unexpected desire to stay. These men, with their easy camaraderie and gentle demeanors, presented a stark contrast to the rigid, controlling Alphas I'd known in the past.

"I... I suppose I could stay for a little while," I found myself saying, surprised by my own words. I gathered my mug and moved to the table, settling into the chair Elias had pulled out for me.

Finn took the seat across from me, his large frame somehow managing to seem non-threatening as he folded himself into the chair. "Plus, I'd love to hear more about your art store," he said, his deep voice carrying a note of genuine interest. "I know I have visited but I didn’t stay long to look around since I was on a deadline for a project.”

I felt a small flutter in my chest at his words, a mix of pride and nervousness. "Oh, well, I try to stock a wide range of materials,"I said softly, my fingers tracing the rim of my mug. "From beginner to professional grade."

I glanced at the three men before me, shifting in my seat nervously, “Though this meeting isn’t about me…” I trailed off hoping they got the hint I didn’t want to talk about it at the moment.

Elias seemed to pick up on my discomfort, smoothly steering the conversation in a different direction. "You're right, Lydia. We should get to the business at hand."

Jake nodded, seeming to pick up on my discomfort. "You're right, we should get down to business," he said, pulling out a small notebook from his bag. "Finn, Elias, I wanted to discuss expanding our partnership. Your woodwork and preserves have been selling well in our shop."

As Jake spoke, I found myself relaxing slightly, grateful for the shift in conversation. I sipped my tea, content to fade into the background as the men discussed business. Elias and Finn spoke passionately about their crafts, their eyes lighting up as they described new products they were developing.

"We've been experimenting with gift sets," Elias explained, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Finn's beautiful boxes filled with a selection of our preserves and honeys."

"We brought some samples of our latest collaborative pieces." Finn nodded, reaching into a large canvas bag at his feet. He pulled out a wooden box, its surface adorned with intricate carvings. As he opened it, I caught a whiff of Elias's honey-scented preserves mingling with the earthy aroma of polished wood.

Jake leaned forward, examining the box with interest. "This is exquisite work," he murmured, running his fingers over the delicate carvings. "The detail is remarkable, Finn."

I found myself leaning in as well, drawn by the beauty of the craftsmanship. The box was a work of art in itself, with intricateleaf and flower patterns carved into the rich, warm wood. Inside, nestled in velvet lining, were several small jars of Elias's preserves, their colors vibrant against the dark interior.

"It's beautiful," I whispered before I could stop myself, my artist's eye appreciating the seamless blend of form and function.

Elias beamed at my words, his honey-warm scent spiking with pride. "Thank you, Lydia. We're quite proud of how they've turned out."

Finn nodded in agreement, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "It's been a rewarding collaboration," he said as he glanced at me again, “I am glad you think they are beautiful. I had put a lot of thought into the carvings on the box.”

I felt a blush creep up my neck at the attention, unused to being included in such discussions. "The carvings really are exquisite," I said softly, my fingers itching to trace the intricate patterns. "They complement the preserves beautifully."

Jake nodded in agreement. "I think these gift sets will be very popular," he said, making a note in his book. "Especially with the holiday season coming up in less than four months. People are always looking for unique, locally made gifts."

As the men continued their discussion, I found myself relaxing slightly, content to listen and observe. There was an easy camaraderie between them, a mutual respect that was evident in their interactions. It was a far cry from the rigid, hierarchical pack dynamics I'd grown up with.

"What do you think, Lydia?" Elias's voice pulled me from my thoughts. "Do you think something like this would sell well in Haven's Rest?"

I blinked, surprised to be drawn back into the conversation. "Oh, um..." I paused, considering the question. "I think it would, actually. There's a growing appreciation for handcrafted items intown. And with the farmers' market being so popular, people are really embracing local artisans."

Finn leaned forward, his green eyes alight with interest. "Do you think your shop might be interested in carrying a few pieces? We could do a trial run, see how they're received."

I felt a flutter of panic in my chest at the suggestion. "Oh, I... I don't know," I stammered, my fingers twisting nervously in my lap. "My shop is just art supplies, I've never— I've never really carried finished pieces before."

Elias leaned forward slightly, his warm honey scent washing over me. "It could be an interesting expansion for your store," he said gently. "Maybe a small display near the register? The boxes could even inspire some of your customers in their own art."

I bit my lip, considering his words. The idea was intriguing, but the thought of changing my carefully curated space, of inviting more attention to my little sanctuary, made my heart race. "I... I'll think about it," I managed, not wanting to commit but also not wanting to outright refuse.

Jake seemed to sense my hesitation. "There's no pressure, Lydia," he said gently. "It's just an idea to consider. We appreciate you even entertaining the thought."

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