Chapter 23
Latte Love and Lullabies
MILLIE
We’ve been home in Cherry Falls for a month now, and everything between Gabriel has fallen into place so easily. The transition back to our regular lives after Italy was surprisingly smooth—almost like no real time had passed at all.
Gabriel has been a more of a regular at the café ever since we returned, showing up every day without fail. I catch myself watching the door every morning, heart skipping when he walks in—like clockwork—his presence instantly warming the space around me.
I love the small moments with him that feel like our secret routine. He always orders something simple but indulgent, and I’ve looked forward to his visits more than I ever expected.
Those quiet exchanges, the subtle smiles, the way his eyes search for mine across the room—they’re becoming my favorite part of the day, a soft thread weaving us together in this busy world.
One day, he arrived at the café with Aura in tow, and they stayed from breakfast until we closed. It was the sweetest thing, watching them together, both of them so at ease, sharing an unspoken bond that makes my heart ache.
After that day, I set up a play-n-play in my office so she would be more comfortable.
It all feels like the beginning of something more permanent between all of us, though we hadn’t yet decided how to navigate our relationship publicly.
There’s a delicate tension in the air—a mixture of hope and hesitation—as we tread carefully, guarding what’s fragile but full of promise.
I’m standing behind the counter at the café when Gabriel walks in.
As always, he greets me with that boyish grin that has a way of lighting up my world.
I walk up to him without hesitation, bringing my hand to his defined jaw.
He melts into my touch, his lips curving up into a smile that has my stomach fluttering.
He moves and rests his head on my shoulder, wrapping me up in a hug that feels like home, something I never realized I needed. His presence grounds me. “I missed you, Bumper,” he whispers into my hair, his words soft and sincere.
In that moment, all the chaos and uncertainty of life fades away. There’s only him, only us, wrapped in this fragile bubble of comfort. It’s a feeling I want to hold on to forever.
We haven’t spent much time together recently, with my work at the café and his schedule, but every morning when he comes home from work, we share a brief but intense connection. It’s not much, but it’s the start of something bigger.
Something that feels right.
Our time together feels natural, and even though everything is moving so fast, I can’t help but feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
I love Gabriel, and I love Aura like my own daughter. The idea of building a life with them is a dream I never thought I’d have the privilege of living.
Gabriel takes his usual seat by the display case, his back turned toward the café. As I approach him with his drink, a memory from our trip to Italy comes flooding back. He asked me to make him a proper Italian cafe latte when we got home, and I did my best to replicate it.
But when I first tried it, it was a disaster. The froth was wrong. The temperature was off, and the coffee didn’t quite hit the right notes. I told him it wasn’t good enough to serve, but he simply shrugged and said, “Well, Bumper, that would be because you don’t have the right coffee beans.”
I had felt utterly defeated, but within a few days, a delivery truck showed up at the café, unloading three pallets full of authentic Italian coffee beans—each one with its own unique flavor.
It was the start of something new for me, and I swore to perfect the latte for him.
As I set down the now-perfect latte in front of him, I smile. “Here’s your latte, love.” I say, a teasing edge to my voice. Gabriel looks up at me, a grin forming on his lips as he takes the cup from me.
“Latte Love,” he murmurs, raising the cup in a small toast, it’s become our thing now, and I’m not sure when it happened but I’ve decided that when we decide to make our relationship public, I’ll offer the “Latte Love” permanently on the menu. It feels like the perfect tribute to our love.
I imagine customers coming in one day, asking about the name, and me telling the story of how a simple cup of coffee became a symbol of our journey—of love found in the every day.
It feels like more than just a drink. It feels like hope, like home, like the beginning of forever.
I finish up last-minute chores in the back and reappear next to Gabriel as fast as I can manage.
He takes my hand, leading me outside to the heart of town. We stop by my sister Kenna’s salon since Gabriel desperately needs a trim.
Kenna’s salon is a cozy little retreat in the center of our town, and it feels like an extension of her personality: warm, inviting, and a little electric.
The walls are painted a calming sage green, and the smell of essential oils fills the air. It’s one of my favorite places to be, and the idea of Gabriel sitting in her chair feels surreal.
When we walk in, Kenna greets us from behind the counter with a smile. “Hey sis, you’re not due for a touch up, are you?” she asks, looking over at me before her eyes fall on Gabriel.
“No, I’m not here for me. I brought my friend, Gabriel. He hasn’t had a cut since he moved here. Can you please squeeze him in Kenny” I ask, a hint of playfulness in my voice.
Kenna’s eyes widen, clearly shocked at how casual I am about calling him my “friend.” That I’m introducing him to her in this way feels so much like I’m pulling the band-aid off in front of my family, but I’m not worried about it.
They’re going to see just how happy Gabriel makes me, and I know they’ll love him as much as I do.
Kenna nods and gestures for Gabriel to take a seat. As she prepares her station, she leans over to him and asks, “What do you want done?”
Gabriel shrugs, looking over at me with a smile. “Whatever your sister wants. I just want to make her happy,” he says, sending a wink that makes my heart skip a beat.
Kenna turns to me, her eyes wide in silent disbelief at the big, burly teddy bear sitting in her chair. I lean against the counter, chuckling.
I might as well rip the Band-Aid off with my family knowing about Gabriel and me. I’m not worried about what they think, because it will be clear to them just how happy he makes me.
“You’re gonna have your work cut out for you,” I tease her. “But just do whatever you think will make him look sexy, but scream taken.”
Kenna grins, clearly excited by the challenge. “ Oh, I know just what to do!” she says, practically bouncing with energy.
An hour later, Gabriel walks out of Enchanted Locks looking like a million bucks. His hair is trimmed perfectly, and somehow, he looks even more handsome than before.
His confidence radiates, and I realize how much he deserves to feel this good. I feel proud, not just of his new look, but of the man he is—the one I’m falling deeper for every day.
I can’t help but steal glances at him as we leave, marveling at the fact that he’s mine. It still feels so surreal, but it feels so right.
As we walk toward the car, I feel a sense of urgency to make things official between us. So I suggest, “Let’s go out tonight. We can go home and get Aura and grab a bite to eat at my brother’s restaurant, The Grilled Plate.”
Gabriel’s smile is huge as he looks at me. “I love hearing you say that,” he murmurs, walking around the car to my side.
He takes my face in his hands, kissing me with a passion that makes my heart race.
“Say what?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Home,” he breathes against my lips, his forehead resting on mine.
I didn’t even realize that I said it out loud, but the more I think about it, the more I’m glad I did.
The word home has never felt more perfect.
I didn’t know when it happened, but somewhere along the way, Gabriel became home to me.
It doesn’t matter where we are or where we end up. With him, I feel like I belong.
In his presence, I can be my true self, no masks, no pretense. He makes me feel safe enough to share my dreams, my fears, and even my silly quirks, which are safe with him, with no judgment in sight.
“Well, it’s true,” I say, my heart full. “But not in the sense that your home feels like home. Rather, wherever you are, I am home. Even if we were in the middle of nowhere, you give me a sense of belonging.”
His eyes sparkle at my words, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Is it crazy that I feel the same way, Bumper? Before you came into my life, I was just a grumpy single dad trying to be the best man I could be for my daughter. But then you showed up and brought light back into my life.”
I feel a lump in my throat as I kiss him, my heart swelling with love. “Let’s go get our girl. I’m starved.”
Gabriel laughs, opening the car door for me.
We head to his house, the anticipation of spending the night together feeling like the perfect step forward.
When we arrive, we find Anna, the sitter, waiting for us at the front door.
Gabriel hands her an envelope with extra money for staying with Aura at the last minute.
“Thank you so much, Anna,” he says, giving her a warm smile. “I really appreciate it.”
Anna’s smile is genuine. “Thank you, Mr. Sirolli. It’s always a pleasure watching Aura.”
As Gabriel leads her out, I burst out laughing, unable to stop myself.
“What?” he asks, turning back toward me with a raised eyebrow.
“You’re so oblivious.” I tease. “She totally has a crush on you.”
Gabriel chuckles, wrapping his arms around my waist. “Really? I didn’t notice. I already have this smoking-hot nanny. She’s just the sitter.”
I laugh into his shirt, shaking my head. “Haha, I’m gonna get Aura ready for dinner.”