‘I’m happy with my normal coffees and milkshakes, but thanks for the business advice.’
And with that, Lucas turned and strolled back into The Diner, trying to ignore the heavy cloud that was settling over his head.
Matcha.
He scowled as he swiped his phone.
Matcha. It was all over freaking social media, influencers drinking it all the time. People sharing their recipes. Hot matcha, iced matcha, matcha ice cream, freaking extra-protein-infused matcha.
He threw the phone down and sighed. How did he suddenly feel so old at only twenty-four? He hated the idea of this. These kinds of drinks belonged in the uptown cities, not in a place like Honey Springs.
Willow had got this all wrong. Nobody was going to want it here.
And he wasn’t quite sure how he felt about that.
‘Why the sad face, Lucas?’
He looked up. Alice Parker was staring right at him. Next to her, as always, was her twin sister, Ava. Lucas had never been able to work out their ages – only that they had seemed old forever and had been part of the town for as long as he had. They always dressed the same, usually in bright florals with knitted accessories. Their hair was dark brown and flat against their faces like helmets and their dark eyes were small and bright like mice. The only way to tell them apart was that Alice had glasses – and a much sterner look.
Lucas’s mom used to call them ‘the living ghosts’. They had a habit of just appearing when you weren’t expecting it and barely making a sound. They also knew everything about everyone.
Alice tapped a long finger on the counter. ‘What was that odd drink you were looking at on your phone?’
Now knowing that they had been there longer than he realized, Lucas felt suddenly flustered. ‘It’s just a drink – matcha?’
‘Matcha?’ Ava’s lips curled. ‘Never heard of it.’
‘Sounds disgusting,’ Alice added, seeming almost excited about it. ‘What is it?’
Lucas raised an eyebrow. ‘How can you think it’s disgusting if you don’t know what it is?’
‘New things usually are,’ Ava told him firmly. ‘Don’t be trying all these trendy new fads, Lucas. Stick to the traditional. Just like your mom. She never failed, did she?’
He stepped back, trying not to be too annoyed. He couldn’t help but feel that they were taking a jab at him for not making a success of the place since her death. It seemed to have derailed a lot since his mom died. He was trying tokeep on top of things, but he didn’t seem to have … well, his mom’s way.
‘Don’t worry, ladies,’ he said, turning on his charming smile. ‘I have no plans to stock it.’
Both women giggled and squirmed like teenagers in their seats. Lucas wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or frustrated that he was able to charm two older, and quite strange, women.
‘So, why were you looking it up?’ Alice asked.
‘Willow Davis is back,’ Lucas replied, trying to keep his voice casual. He gestured outside. ‘She’s planning to set up a little business outside of mine. Selling this matcha stuff.’
Alice frowned; if possible, her mouth was more pursed than usual. ‘What Erin’s daughter? The one who lived with Martha?’
Just hearing Martha’s name made a warm feeling flood through Lucas. He nodded quickly.
‘Yes, we remember her,’ Ava said, almost in delight. ‘Pretty little thing. Had big ideas as far as I recall. Ran off with that handsome guy, Jake, the football player – Eric’s son.’
‘Yep. The one and only.’
‘How odd she’s back,’ Alice mused. ‘And selling that horrid stuff of all things; that won’t be a success at all.’ Alice’s beady eyes settled on Lucas’s. They seemed to gleam in the dim light of the room. ‘I just wonder how you feel about all this.’
‘Oh, I’m absolutely fine,’ Lucas replied brightly, rubbing his hands briskly on his apron. ‘Why wouldn’t I be? I’ve never been scared of a little competition.’
‘It’s not just the competition that worries you though,’ Ava added, almost gleefully. Her finger began to jab in hisdirection. ‘We see things, Lucas. We know what goes on in this town. Nothing escapes us.’
Lucas chuckled under his breath. ‘No, ladies. You like to think you know what’s going on, when really, you’re relying on gossip and very overactive imaginations. Now if you don’t mind …’
