Chapter 6 Lily
LILY
Eliza
So Louise met Gabriel today…
She told me as soon as I got to Lake Ridge for my shift.
Me
Ughhh so he’s in town. I was hoping he wouldn’t show up lol.
I’m so nervous for the meeting. I’ve been watching the clock all day.
Eliza
You’re going to do great, Lil. Remember how incredible, talented, and strong you are! You’re prepared and ready to convince Hal.
Jules
Seconding what Eliza said. It’s all going to go well, and we have your back no matter what!
Me
You two are the best, and the reason I’m sane.
Did Louise say anything about him?
Eliza
She said she enjoyed talking to him and that he’s “very handsome.”
Me
Oh, great. Wonderful. Perfect.
Jules
Just don’t look at him, and you’ll be fine!!!
“Easier said than done,” I muttered in response to Jules’s last text. I set my phone on the counter and took off my apron, hanging it on the cat-shaped wall hook by the register.
As my final customers of the day finished their drinks, I wiped the counters, cleaned the machines, and fed the cats while also giving them plenty of pettings. The five cats got lots of attention today with how busy it was, but I always ensured I spent some time with them as I closed.
The meeting with Gabriel and Hal had consumed my mind today, this week, and really from the moment Hal sent me that email.
I wasn’t kidding when I told Eliza and Jules I’d been watching the clock all day—and my customers noticed.
I confused orders, overfilled at least three cups of coffee, and nearly used salt instead of sugar in various drinks. Luckily, everyone was patient with me.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves.
I trusted Hal, and I knew he had my best interests, and the best interests of the town, in mind.
But I couldn’t help but wonder why he couldn’t just sell me the building.
Why did we need to have this meeting, and why was Gabriel in town?
I tried not to take it personally and not be too hurt about it, but it was tough not to get in my head.
Did Hal think I wasn’t ready or that I couldn’t handle it?
Did he have a different vision? Did he want to keep ownership in the family?
It was the last thing that hurt the most, if true.
Because Hal was family to me. Maybe not by blood, but he had been present in nearly every moment in my life—big and small.
He was at my high school graduation and at Purrfect Blend’s opening.
He gave me advice after my first heartbreak and taught me how to parallel park.
I didn’t want to jump to conclusions, but that didn’t stop my heart from racing and my palms from getting sweaty from anticipation.
After completing my closing work, I made my way back to the main area as two of my regulars—and my final customers for the day—were heading out.
“Bye, Tom and Susan!” I called out. “I’ll see you next week.”
They smiled and waved in return.
I pulled on my gloves and wrapped my scarf around my neck before putting on my coat. I hiked my purse over my shoulder and locked the door behind me. Time to brave the cold.
The walk to Hal’s wasn’t far—a few blocks from the café—and I passed the various Christmas decorations on the walk over, which I helped put up a few days ago.
Lights, ornaments, and garland could be spotted in nearly every corner of downtown.
As beautiful as it looked during the day, it looked absolutely magical at night with the twinkling lights, couples walking hand in hand, and Christmas music playing faintly in the background.
As I approached Hal’s, I couldn’t remember if I’d grabbed my phone. I looked down to dig around in my purse, wanting to double-check. I swore this thing had an endless bottom whenever I couldn’t find something.
Keys, pens, ChapStick, random scraps of paper with half-written recipes, my winter wish—
Wait. Where was my winter wish list? I’d put the pink piece of paper in my purse the night I made it with Eliza and Jules. Had I taken it out? I’d completely forgotten about it and the various things I’d set out to do until this moment.
I let out a frustrated huff. I’d deal with that and my misplaced phone later. They were likely somewhere in the café.
I pushed both purse straps onto my shoulder and sped up my walk, finally looking up.
But it was too late.
I crashed into a broad, jacket-clad back with an oomph.
I stumbled back, nearly losing my footing on the sidewalk.
I would’ve fallen on my butt had it not been for how quickly the man turned around.
He tightly, but carefully, reached out to grab my wrist, tugging to keep me upright.
Except he overcorrected. I had to brace my palms against his chest so I wouldn’t faceplant into his body.
Although, with how good he smelled—a mixture of citrus, warmth, and clean linen—maybe that wouldn’t have been a bad thing.
When my gaze flicked up, I expected it to be someone I knew. Golden Falls had visitors and tourists in the winter, but it was either closer to the holidays or after a big snowfall.
Instead, I was met with a sharp jaw that could cut ice paired with warm, honey-brown eyes that could melt it. His wavy brown hair was effortlessly tousled.
His eyes scanned my face, almost like he was taking me in, too.
Time stopped, like we were frozen in a snow globe.
But then recognition dawned on both of us as the pieces quickly came together.
This was Gabriel Nelson. Gabriel Nelson! I couldn’t be fawning over him. I wouldn’t be.
He dropped my wrist at the same time I stepped back, more careful this time.
“You should watch where you’re going.” His voice was low, a warning.
“And you should really watch where you’re standing. Maybe you shouldn’t be in the middle of the sidewalk. It gets busy this time of day.”
People were walking around us, but by the way Gabriel raised his brows, I could tell he wasn’t convinced. “Huh, that’s odd. It’s almost like even though there’s people walking around, most aren’t sprinting down the sidewalk, barreling into others.”
I scoffed. “I wasn’t sprinting. You were standing in the middle of the walkway.
” Maybe I should’ve checked my surroundings before speeding up, but I didn’t expect him to be standing right in the middle of everything.
“How would you know what people in Golden Falls do? It’s not like you’ve ever been here before today. ”
His brows raised and the corner of his mouth tipped up into a smirk. “How would you know that?”
“Because I know who you—”
“You looked me up.” His smirk widened, which frustrated me even more. “And, actually, I got in yesterday. So technically I have been here before today.”
“Well, you looked me up, too, clearly.” I swore I saw recognition flash over his face moments ago. “Doing research on the competition?”
He leaned in, his scent enveloping me once again. “What competition?”
“Oh, you think you’re—” I gritted.
“Ah, Lily. Gabe,” Hal greeted—and interrupted—as he watched from the doorway of Hal’s Hardware. Had he been there the whole time? I hoped not. “Don’t just stand there. Come on in.” He waved with a grin.
“Please, after you.” Gabriel gestured for me to go first.
“Now you’re being all polite,” I muttered.
“It’s called being professional.”
I glared at him over my shoulder before stepping inside Hal’s store. “Hey, Hal. Nice to see you. Are we meeting in your office?”
“We are. Let’s head back, and I’ll share what I’m thinking.” Hal waved for us to follow as he walked to the back of the store.
Before we walked behind him, Gabriel stretched his hand out. “Nice to meet you, Lily.”
How could he be acting so normal? My business—my future—was on the line, but he likely didn’t care.
I was just another person, another business owner, to him.
He probably dealt with people like me all the time and didn’t bat an eye at the various businesses Nelson Group drove out with their projects.
It took everything in me to not shake his hand. To not suck it up and be polite. I liked being nice and welcoming to everyone, but I wouldn’t be nice to someone who didn’t prioritize others, who only focused on himself.
The tight-lipped smile on my face physically pained me, as did taking a step away from his outstretched hand. “I wish I could say the same, Gabriel.”
I let out a heavy sigh and turned to walk toward Hal’s office, my future hanging in the balance.