Page 17 of Once Upon A Small Town Secret
“It’s going to be amazing, Mom.” My voice wavers just enough to give me away, but she doesn’t call me on it. She just squeezes me tighter, smelling faintly of lavender lotion and the tea she drinks every morning.
When she lets go, her hands linger on my arms, her eyes still shining. “You’ve worked so hard for this,” she says, shaking her head like she can’t quite believe it’s real. “You deserve every bit of it.”
I take a slow turn in the middle of the room, letting myself soak in the way the sunlight spills over the newly cleaned windows. Imagining the way it would spill the same way over the tables.
Jason’s quiet now, his arms no longer folded, but his expression still guarded. I know him well enough to understand it’s not disapproval—just the way he processes change. He’ll come around. He always does.
Dad moves toward the front window, looking out toward the street like he’s already imagining customers at those outdoor tables I told him about. “You’ll need a good sign,” he says after a moment, glancing over his shoulder at me. “Something clean, easy to read from the street.”
I grin. “Already working on it. I’ve got a couple of designs in mind, but I’ll consult with Libby,” I say, thinking of a friend from high school who went to school for design.
His mouth tips up at the corner, and he nods, not speaking. Dad doesn’t cry, not like Mom anyway. I know him well enough to understand that this is his way of expressing pride.
I step into the sunlight pooling on the floor, running my fingertips over the smooth surface of the counter that will someday hold a register and trays of pastries. “It’s all going tocome together,” I say more to myself than to anyone else. “You’ll see.”
Chapter Eight
Ben
I get to The Wandering Pint just after sunrise, breath puffing in the chilly morning air as I dig my keys out of my pocket. Weekend breakfast services are the only times it’s worth opening early—locals drift in after the farmer’s market, hungover regulars crawl in for coffee, tourists wake up bright and early to grab a bite before wandering around town.
Lilly will be in soon, but I like a few moments to myself before the chaos starts.
I’m halfway to the door when I catch movement in my peripheral. The bakery next door opens, and Paige steps out intothe light, her family spilling out behind her. Her mom is wiping at her eyes, and her dad, Donovan, has his arm around her.
Jason’s talking to Paige, but his gaze lands on me almost immediately.
I don’t even have time to curse silently. I’ve been avoiding both of them all week, not trusting myself around either of them after my fantasies took off last week.
“Benny,” he calls out, grinning like he’s caught me doing something.
I force myself to act normal and smirk. “Jay.” I give Gwen and Donovan a wave. “Morning, Gwen. Morning, Don.”
Paige’s eyes flick to mine, then away just as quickly. Her shoulders shift like she’s not sure if she wants to step forward or disappear inside.
“Morning, sweetheart,” Gwen says, already starting toward me like she’s going to pull me into one of her lavender-scented hugs. Donovan just nods, but the corner of his mouth lifts. “You opening early today?” he asks.
“Weekend breakfast,” I say. “Worth dragging myself out of bed for.”
Jason jerks a thumb toward Paige. “You taking advantage of my sister?”
For a moment, my breath catches in my throat, thinking he somehow knows about where my thoughts went last week in the shower. What I almost did.
But Jason just grins, clearly enjoying himself. “You gonna be some kind of slumlord?”
Paige groans, dragging a hand down her face. “Jason…”
“Oh, right. That,” I say and laugh shakily. I clear my throat and force a smirk onto my face. “Maybe I am.”
“What? I think it’s hilarious.” He looks at me, mock-offended. “You’ve been my best friend for fourteen years, man. You couldn’t give me a heads-up?”
“She told me not to,” I say easily. “Wanted it to be her announcement.”
Gwen reaches my side before I can respond again, wrapping me in a warm, familiar hug that smells like home. “Ignore them,” she says, patting my shoulder. “We’re thrilled for her. And it’s good to see you, honey.”
“You too,” I say, meaning it. “Feels like it’s been forever.”
Donovan steps forward, shaking my hand. “She’s got a good spot. You’ll keep an eye out for her, yeah?”
