“Lydia,” Charlotte said from behind the counter, her face lighting up. “I was just thinking about you.”
“That feels ominous,” I said, shrugging off my coat.
She laughed. “Only in the sense that I was wondering if you had survived finding a vehicle for the parade.”
“Barely,” I said. “But I have everything under control now with the help of family and friends.”
She handed me a mug without asking. “I’m glad to hear it. Here, try my new creation and tell me if it’s any good.”
I took a sip and leaned against the counter, watching her move through the space like it had always belonged to her. It still impressed me. How she had taken a risk and made it real. “This is delicious.”
“It’s the hazelnut. Makes it taste all warm and cozy,” Charlotte told me.
“This place looks great,” I said, looking at all the changes she had implemented in such a short time.
She smiled, proud but not overly so. “It’s loud, it’s imperfect, and more importantly it’s mine.”
I was about to respond when I heard my name.
“Lydia?”
The voice hit me like a blow to the chest. My body reacted instantly, shoulders tightening, breath catching, like my nervous system had recognized the threat before my brain could catch up.
I turned slowly.
Gavin Wickham stood near the entryway, expression warm and mildly surprised, as if we had run into each other at the grocery store instead of in the middle of a chapter I thought I had already closed. He looked great, tall and handsome, perfectly dressed with a collared shirt and overcoat.
“Hi,” he said, approaching the counter. “Wow. It’s been a while.”
The café felt smaller suddenly. Like all the sound had pulled back to make room for this moment.
“Gavin,” I said, and hated that my voice still knew his name.
Charlotte glanced between us, confusion flickering across her face.
“I didn’t know you were back in town,” I managed.
He smiled, easy and unbothered. “I’m around. I saw the cafe had changed hands and thought I would grab a coffee.”
Of course he had.
“You look good,” he added, as if that was something he had the right to say.
“Thank you,” I replied automatically, then winced internally. Old habits died hard.
Charlotte cleared her throat.
“Could I get a double expresso?” Gavin asked, tossing some cash on the countertop.
“Of course. I’ll be… over there,” Charlotte said, retreating with clear reluctance.
Wickham stepped closer, lowering his voice just enough to feel intimate. “I heard you have been busy. Someone said you were entering the local parade.”
“Yes,” I said. “With my family.”
“Impressive,” he said, nodding like he had expected nothing less. “I always knew you would land on your feet.”
The words slid under my skin, familiar and dangerous.
