Page 9 of The Proposal Pact
“Long story.” She shakes her head and leads us out.
My new hometown is about an hour away from the airport in Santa Cruz. And despite Grace already catching me up on all that’s happened in her and her sisters’ lives, like all three of them meeting their soulmates in this new town to which they were all dragged against their will—can’t wait to meet their mom who did that—when we reconnected a few months ago, she does it all over again on the way there while Joy drives us.
She also explains about Joy’s friend, Zoe, and how she escaped to Loverly Cave after her own shit had hit the fan as well.
Apparently, there’s no place like LC to heal, and looking at my friend, I believe it.
Honestly, this town sounds like a dream already and reminds me of my home in Greece. I don’t remember all that much from those days, but anytime I think about it I feel this warmth inside my chest. I feel comfort and love and family, and those are the exact emotions I’m soaking up from Grace’s recounts—but no words or stories could’ve prepared me for what Loverly Cave actually is.
From the second our car came out of the winding mountain road—which was a marvel all on its own—I can’t keep my mouth from hanging open.
We’re coming from the hill so down below the whole colorful, vibrant town is spread out in front of my eyes like something from the most picturesque postcard I’ve ever seen.
I can feel it vibrate with life and happiness all the way from here and I’m hungry for it. No, not hungry. I’m desperately desperate.
Plastering myself to the window like a little kid with my nose pressed up against the window, I take in the many colorful buildings, the huge arch-like Loverly Cave itself that stands in front of the town from the oceanside, as if guarding it. I take in the ocean that seems so much different from the one I’m used to seeing in New York, or what I remember from Greece.
This one is almost intimidating with the crushing waves I can see all the way from here. It looks like it could rip you apart, make you reveal all your secrets and then put you back together.
The closer we get to the bottom, the better I can see all the little details about the town. Like the cute welcome sign.
Welcome to Loverly Cave Town, where love is the answer to any question.
Population: three thousand one hundred and ten.
To the cobbled streets, flowers of every color spilling out of the flowerboxes despite it being fall already, and the crazy vines growing over the colorful buildings. And when I say colorful, I mean it. There are bright pink, yellow, orange, green, red, and all other colors of the rainbow over here.
We pass through what must be the main street, because they have all kinds of cool stores and cafes on it. I spot Sip of Love coffee shop, Fifi’s Goods, Serendipity Groceries, Bagels and Love with Bagels and Balance right next to each other.
When I ask Grace why it’s like that, she says, “Trust me, they are for two vastly different occasions.” Whatever that means.
At the end of the street there is Love and Peace bar that’s brimming with life even though it’s lunchtime. And further down is You Know You Want It tattoo shop that Hope—Grace’s other sister—runs with her husband Alec.
I nearly burst with excitement when I spot the three special cars Grace told me about before. There’s a Love car which is one of those small Smart cars driving around, offering free love advice. There are also Motivation and a Hug car! Isn’t that cool?
We make our way through this small town slowly, because there are so many people walking around you have to be careful not to hit anyone, although I can tell Joy is tempted a few times.
Everyone walks in New York too, but this is vastly different kind of walking. Like night and day.
No one is in a rush. No one is cussing you out if you’re moving slower than they are. No one has their head in their phones. No, people are simply enjoying their day. They are talking to each other.Not to mention, nearly everyone is dressed in something casual and colorful.
It feels like I’m taking a breath of fresh air for the first time in my life, and it almost makes me release how dimmed my own light has become over the years. How much of my color and shine I’ve lost.
I’ve lived in an impersonal box for so long, I didn’t even know there was any other way. I allowed the busyness, the thirst for power, the grayness of the powerful city where only the strongest—like my sister-in-law—survive, to swallow me whole. I allowed it to destroy…me.
“How could you hide this town from me for so long, Gracie Bear?”
My friend gives me a small smile. “I had to make sure you were ready for it.”
“What does that mean?”
“Oh, you’ll see,” she says cryptically, and Joy sighs.
“Dear God, this will never end.”
“What will never end?” I ask, curious what they are talking about.
“Shh, all questions will be answered in due time. For now”—Gracie cringes—“let’s get this hair under control. Not that I don’t love this whole crooked masterpiece, and good for you for taking charge of your life once again, but…did you have to start with your hair?”
