As much as I didn’t want to, I chuckled. The smile lingered as our eyes connected.
“Does looking at me make you uncomfortable?” she asked softly.
“Not at all. You look a hell of a lot like your sister, but that’s not why I can’t stop looking at you.”
“Oh.” She looked away briefly, but when her eyes returned to mine, she asked, “Then why can’t you?”
“Are you sure you want me to answer that?” Zoe nodded. “I missed you, and a part of me can’t believe you’re here. I know we didn’t spend a lot of time together, but the time we did spend together meant a lot to me. Plus, you’re beautiful. As much as I would prefer not to be attracted to you, I am.”
Her head hung briefly as she licked her lips. “I missed you too. I know you probably won’t believe this, but I didn’t want to leave you. I just . . . felt guilty about clinging to you and needed to get away. My feelings were consuming me, and I honestly felt like I was suffocating.” When her eyes returned to mine, she confessed, “And I’m very much attracted to you too.”
This conversation felt like it was going in a direction I didn’t need it to, so I put some space between us and motioned for her to have a seat.
“I’m sure that’s not why you stopped by.”
“I wanted to apologize. And thank you. You didn’t have to step up and run this place for my sister and, in essence, for me, but you did. So thank you for that. And I’m sorry for coming in hot and offending you yesterday. That wasn’t my intention. I can’t imagine how much of yourself you’ve poured into this place, and I just came in like a bulldozer talking about shutting it down.
“Initially, I felt like the easiest thing to do would be to sell, but after thinking it over, my sister deserves more than that. This was her purpose, her legacy, and I want it to not only remain open but be successful as well. I have six weeks off from work back in Rose Valley Hills, and if you’re interested, I’d love to spend that time turning this place into the space it once was.”
This was a woman whose character reminded me of her sister. Without the need to be defensive, I was able to apologize as well.
“I came on strongly, and for that, I want to apologize, Zoe. Seeing you was a lot to process. Add to that the talk of selling this place and I snapped. Usually I have a better handle on my emotions, but my ego got in the way. There are days I feel like I failed your sister because business is so slow, and I know logically that it’s not my fault, but still. She loved this place so much, and I don’t want to feel like I failed her, so hearing that you’re open to keeping it open means a lot to me.”
Her body and eyes softened as she smiled.
“I know me saying this probably won’t matter, but you shouldn’t feel like a failure at all. I did a little research last night, and sales didn’t start going down tremendously until last year. You can’t take fault for that. You’ve done exceptionally well holding the coffee shop down. I know I haven’t been around, but I hope you let me help.”
“I’d be honored to have your help. Your sister wanted you here. When you’re ready, it’s yours.”
“Oh no.” Her head shook as she smiled. “My life is back in The Hills, but I am committed to staying here and getting things back on track. I can understand if you want to be able to do something different, so if we need to find someone else to manage the place?—”
“It’s you or me, Zoe. No one else.”
Though I expected her to give me push back, she didn’t. She only nodded.
“Okay, well, I’ll get out of your way. Maybe I can come by tomorrow and we can start planning?”
“Sounds good,” I said as we stood. When she turned to leave, I added, “By the way, . . . welcome back to Jasper Lane.”
7
Zoe
I smelled him before I looked up and saw him. Haji was here. That spicy yet citrusy cologne immediately gave him away. When I looked up and saw him looking at me, I smiled. We’d come to a sort of truce earlier at Grounds, so I told him he could sit with me after he ordered. I now knew one of the perks of staying above the diner was eating here and getting the chance to see him.
Being in Haji’s presence was peaceful. Light. There was no other way to describe it. The same way I felt around him a decade ago, I felt now. Even when he was mad at me yesterday. To hide my smile as he made his way over to my table, I took a sip of the best strawberry milkshake I’d ever had in my life. Initially, I thought I’d get tired of eating at the diner, but every meal I’d had here so far had been great, including the shake and fries I decided to snack on for lunch.
“Hi.” I almost purred as he slid into the booth next to me instead of across from me.
“Hi.”
“You come here for lunch often?”
“Few times out of the week. They have the best burgers.”
“I know. Found that out yesterday for dinner. I’m gonna have to increase my exercise while I’m here so I won’t gain too much weight.”
“Your body is perfect as it is, but it definitely wouldn’t hurt if you gained a few pounds during your stay.”
