Harlow clasps her hands together, her grin growing wickedly wide. “Honestly, babes, this is the exact Hallmark vibes I was talking about. The mysterious stranger with a secret past, the surprise baby, the grumpy exterior hiding a soft heart It’s all a classic recipe for a small town love story! I’m telling you, Mills, this isexactlythe drama that makes people binge-watch holiday movies and swoon over every cliché.”
I roll my eyes again, but a smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.
Sweet Aroma, Bitter Truths
GABRIEL
When Joshand I leave Beanstalk, the cool breeze from the street hits my face, and I feel a momentary sense of relief. It’s a perfect day to be out—a little overcast, with the sun peeking through the clouds. The air smells like rain, which only adds to the calmness. Josh, as usual, is already in high spirits.
“So, man, when are you going to admit you like Millie Feely?” he asks, grinning from ear to ear like he’s already won some kind of bet.
I furrow my brows at him and shake my head, confused by his sudden shift in conversation. “I literally just met the woman,” I say, my tone flat as I try to brush him off. He knows better than to bring up something like this out of nowhere. Doesn’t he?
Josh chuckles, clearly enjoying my discomfort. “Don’t play coy, Gab. We both know you think she’s cute. Come on, I can see it in your eyes.”
I laugh nervously, trying to downplay it. Sure, Millie is attractive, I think, but that’s not enough to make me actually like her. She smells like vanilla and caramel coffee, which is a draw, but that doesn’t mean I’m attracted to her. The way she acts—like she’s constantly got something to prove—puts me off. I’ve never beenone for drama, and Millie seems like she brings more than enough of it to the table.
“I don’t,” I grunt, sticking to my guns. “She’s incredibly infuriating. You should know. You know her, don’t you?”
Josh shakes his head, a smug look on his face. He’s enjoying this too much. “Sure, Gab. Keep telling yourself that. But we both know the truth.”
The car ride to the restaurant is brief, and Josh is relentlessly trying to get under my skin with little comments about Millie. It’s like he’s trying to convince me of something, but I’m not biting. Not today.
We pull into the parking lot of The Grilled Plate, a cozy spot right on the water. The restaurant is a local favorite, known for its laid-back vibe and great food. It’s the place where you can sit on the patio, watch the boats float by, and forget about everything else.
A young hostess greets us as we walk in, leading us to a table by the windows. The view of the water is breathtaking, with the light shimmering off the surface of the lake, reflecting in the quiet, steady waves. I sink into the seat and try to relax, feeling the tension from the day ease away, just a little.
A man in his late twenties or early thirties walks up to us, his face lighting up when he sees Josh. “JJ! What’s going on, man?” His voice is loud and friendly, and there’s a familiarity between them, a bond that only comes with years of friendship.
I glance at the name on his shirt. Reuben.
Josh grins and slaps him on the back. “Ruey S, hey man! Just grabbing a bite before going home to sleep. This is my new partner, Gabriel. Gab, this is Reuben Feely. He owns the restaurant.”
Feely. That name strikes me like a bolt of lightning. Millie’s last name is Feely too, right? I wonder if they’re related, and if so, where the connection is. A brother? A cousin?
I extend my hand to Reuben, trying to stay casual despite the small whirlpool of curiosity forming in my chest. “Nice to meet you. Great place you’ve got here.”
If Reuben is anything like Millie, he’s more laid-back than she is. He has an amiable smile, and his demeanor is calm, which is a relief. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but he’s the exact opposite of what I imagined—he’s warm, open, and doesn’t seem to have a care in the world. He’s probably the guy who gets along with everyone, effortlessly.
Josh continues talking to Reuben, catching up like old friends do. “We just came from Mill’s place. The cafe is coming along great! I’m happy for her. It’s been a long road, but she’s finally living out her dream, especially after what happened this past year.”
I glance between Josh and Reuben, my mind processing the words.What happened this past year?
Reuben’s face shifts just slightly, his expression darkening for a moment, before he continues. “It’s been rough on her. Mills is one of the best people I know. Definitely the best of my three sisters. Sweet to everyone, even when they don’t deserve it. I don’t know how someone could break her heart the way her ex did.” His voice softens, and there’s an edge of protectiveness there that makes me respect him more. “But I’m just glad she’s come out on top. I’m so proud of her for how she’s handling everything. After being dumped after five years in a relationship, she could’ve just shut down. But she’s thriving now.”
A few things cross my mind. First, the Millie I’ve interacted with today doesn’t seem like the same person Reuben’s describing. She’s been short with me, practically seething at me when I was just trying to be friendly. Could it be that I’m just getting a side of her that no one else sees? Or maybe she just doesn’t like me.
The more I hear about Millie’s past, the more I wonder what she’s been through. Five years with someone? That’s a long time. What kind of person would do that to her? What happened that made her shut herself off so completely from the peoplearound her?
I glance at Josh, who is watching me with a knowing smile. “Gab here has been getting the feisty version of Mills today,” he says, nudging me with his elbow. “Not sure what he did to get on her bad side, but when I got to the cafe today to congratulate her, she was practically throwing daggers at him.”
I’m about to defend myself when Reuben speaks up, his tone much softer. “I’m sure Millie is just stressed. The grand opening is in a few weeks. She’s doing it on her own. Knowing Millie, she’s out of her mind stressed. Give her another chance. Once you get to know her, you’ll see she’s worth the effort. She’s the person everyone needs in their life.”
There’s a certain light that shines brightest only when you’re surrounded by shadows—and I think Millie has that kind of light.
Something in his words hit me. I want to believe him. I do. But after my interaction with Millie today, I’m not sure I’m ready to give her a second chance. I don’t even know if she wants it.
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me out of my thoughts. I check the message and see it’s from my Ma.
