Every step from Matthew’s car feels different today, lighter.His hand remains in mine, a grounding weight.A silent promise that started in his kitchen and hasn’t wavered for a single second since.The city sounds are the same.The morning sun is just as bright.But the ghosts that used to walk beside me have finally begun to fade, silenced by the profound peace of his presence.
The usual Sunday bustle is in full swing.Helen is leaning over the register, showing something on her phone to Lou.
“Well, good morning, you two,” Helen chimes.Her head snaps up, a grin spreading across her face as she takes in the sight of us, hand in hand.
We smile, murmuring our good mornings.
Lou turns, his expression shifting to a slow, warm smile that reaches his eyes.“Good morning indeed,” he says, his gaze soft as it lands on me.It then shifts to Matthew with a friendly, but assessing, look.“Nice to see you, Matthew.Have you been taking good care of our Amy?”
“In every way I know how,” Matthew replies, his voice full of an easy sincerity that makes Lou’s smile widen.
Warmth spreads through my chest.I let go of Matthew’s hand and slip behind the counter.
“Croissant?”I ask, already reaching for the tongs.I place two of the flakiest ones on small plates and hand one to Matthew.
Lou chuckles.“Come sit with me, son,” he says, gesturing toward his table.“And maybe these lovely ladies can send over a couple of coffees?”
“Coming right up,” Helen confirms, turning to the espresso machine.She glances over her shoulder at Matthew, eyes twinkling.“How do you take it, hot stuff?”
I nudge her with my elbow between mouthfuls of croissant, my cheeks flushing.
Matthew lets out an amused chuckle.“Black is fine.Thank you.”
With a hearty pat on Matthew’s back, Lou says, “Let’s leave these two to their work,” and leads him away.
As soon as they’re out of earshot, Helen leans in, her playful energy softening.“You’re glowing,mija.”She beams at me.
The truth of it bubbles up out of me before I can stop it.“He makes me so happy, Helen.It’s scary.”
Helen stops what she’s doing and places her warm hand over mine.“Mira.Look at me.”Her expression is firm with fierce care.“There is nothing to be afraid of.It is clear to anyone with eyes that man is head over heels for you.Leave the past in the past, Ames.You enjoy this.You deserve every last drop of this happiness after all you’ve been through.”
“Thanks,” I whisper with a shy smile.
She gives my hand a tight squeeze before returning to the coffees.
A moment later, she slides two steaming mugs across the counter.“Now, go give your man his coffee,” she says, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.“He probably needs it after the night you two had.”
“Oh my gosh, Helen, seriously?!”I exclaim, but a helpless laugh escapes me as I shake my head.
I carry the mugs over to Lou’s table.
“Thank you, dear.”He smiles up at me as I set his coffee down.
I place the other mug in front of Matthew.“Thank you, love.”Before I can pull away, his hand covers mine.His thumb gently strokes my knuckles in a slow, possessive caress that sends a delicious shiver straight up my spine.
My breath catches.My voice is barely a whisper.“Of course.”
Lou doesn’t miss the exchange.He takes a slow sip of his coffee, his gaze moving between me and Matthew with thoughtful observation.
He sets his mug down with a soft click.“Some people think love lies in the grand gestures, the fancy words,” he says, looking directly at me, although his words feel meant for both of us.“But if you want to know where love truly lies,” he continues, nodding toward our joined hands, “you look for the easy silence between two people.That’s its real home.”
A hot blush creeps up my neck.
He sees it all.
It’s a seismic shift in my entire being.And Lou, in his quiet wisdom, has just put his finger right on the heart of it.
Matthew tightens his grip on my hand, a silent message of reassurance.“I know exactly where my love lies,” he murmurs, lifting my hand to press a kiss into the center of my palm.
