My eyes sting suddenly, blurring his kind face.I lift my mug, needing a second to gather myself, to push back the tears his kind wisdom stirs.I take a long sip, focusing on the bitterness of the dark roast, using the mug as a shield while I compose myself.
Finally, I lower the mug back to the table.“I want to believe that,” I manage, my voice still a little thick.“I really do.”
“Then believe it, because I’m certain there will come a time soon where I will get the pleasure of reminding you I told you so,” he says with confidence, patting my shoulder.
His teasing coaxes a fragile bubble of laughter past my lips.
He smiles warmly in return, the lines around his eyes crinkling.Then his expression shifts, becoming more earnest.
“Speaking of challenging times,” Lou says, his tone turning gently purposeful.“I wanted to update you on the petition front.Because that is going remarkably well.”
I lean forward, hope flickering nervously, even despite knowing now that this petition hasn’t affected Bancroft the way Matthew thought it might.
“I spent a good part of yesterday circulating it, talking to people both inside here and around the neighborhood,” he continues.“Amy, there was not one person I approached who didn’t fill it out immediately.People were eager to help.”
“Wow,” I breathe, my coming up to my chest.“Really?”
“Yes.”Lou nods, his smile returning.“It’s abundantly clear that your coffee shop matters deeply to this community.”He leans back slightly.“I would’ve brought them with me today, but I wasn’t sure you’d be in.”
Hearing him confirm how much Maddy’s Place matters, seeing the genuine enthusiasm in his eyes, raises conflicting emotions.Gratitude warring with the bleak knowledge that this all might not make a difference.
“I can’t thank you enough, Lou,” I say sincerely.
“Oh, there’s no need to thank me, my dear,” Lou says, waving a hand.“It’s the least I can do.Plus, this community needs this—”
He breaks off.His attention snags on someone walking towards us.Surprise widens his eyes before melting into recognition.“And here’s the man of the hour.”
My brow furrows.I follow his nod toward the front of the café.
My heart gives a hard thump.
Matthew weaves through the tables, his gaze fixed directly on me.A sharp, unnerving intensity in his eyes makes the air feel thin.He looks devastatingly put-together.A navy blazer, over a grey knit top, and faded dark jeans.He commands attention without trying, unlike James’s performative confidence.Yet, as he gets closer, I notice a faint tightness around his mouth and a tension in his shoulders that clashes with his relaxed outfit.
“I owe you an apology, young man,” Lou declares the moment Matthew reaches us.
Matthew’s focus snaps to Lou.“Hello Louis.”His eyes cut briefly to me in a quick, unreadable assessment before returning to the old man.
“Just Lou, please.”Lou smiles wryly.“I completely misjudged your intentions regarding my Amy’s café.”
“Lou,” he repeats, giving a short nod.“Thank you.I appreciate that.”
The instant his words are out, Matthew pivots back to me.His gaze locks with mine, sharp and searching.
He’s looking for something…
An answer?
For…?
Don’t do it, Amy.
The memory of his strained plea returns.
“Please join us,” Lou invites, reaching for empty chair.
“Not this time.”Matthew holds up a hand, halting his movement, his gaze never leaving mine.“Please don’t let me interrupt.”He gives Lou only the briefest glance before his intense focus locks back onto me.“I’ll just wait in your office,” he states.His voice is low, attempting politeness, but carries an edge of simmering impatience.
There is no doubt he means to wait, and that this conversationwillhappen.
