Chapter 15 #2
As he shoots well into the night, I know I’ve crossed stargazing off my bucket list at least a dozen times, but I also can’t help thinking about that other item on my list, go on my first date. Does this count?
I don’t know what’s going on between us, but whatever I’m feeling, I think this is just the beginning. And I can’t imagine ever forgetting this evening, even long after this summer ends and Gabe and I go our separate ways.
The sunlight streaming through my windows is extra bright when my eyes flutter open. I’m momentarily confused; I usually never sleep in. I wiggle in my warm down comforter, stretching my arms and relishing not having to rush out of bed.
A smile plays on my lips as I recall last night.
What started out as pictures of the sky turned into a portrait shoot of me under the stars as Gabriel practiced adjusting his lens to take night shots.
Nothing happened, of course, but being the focus of his photos made the butterflies in my belly work overtime.
And that’s coming from me, who’s been photographed a million times.
When I make it downstairs, I see Ruby clearing up the breakfast table and Gabriel loading the dishwasher.
I’m relieved Ruby doesn’t notice me right away. Because Gabriel—bathed in golden morning sunlight—honestly takes my breath away. It should be illegal to look that good both day and night.
When our eyes meet, there’s this charge. Like a secret passed wordlessly between us.
Before I can finish apologizing for being late to breakfast, Ruby cuts me off. “Honey, I have a teenager, I know how it goes.” She nods at the fridge with a warm smile. “There’s food in there, or you can head into town with Gabriel.”
It’s subtle, but I notice Gabriel pause at the sink before resuming rinsing the dish he’s holding.
If Ruby notices anything between us, she doesn’t give it away. I clear my throat. “Sure. I’ll head to town with Gabe.”
“Sounds good, Mom—” he says at the same time. His laugh makes me take a mental note to pack sunglasses, because that gorgeous face of his is blinding.
As soon as Gabriel and I hit the road, Shaw’s SUV is following right behind.
We pass by some landmarks and homes that are starting to feel familiar and head toward downtown Mystic Hollow.
I roll my window down and inhale the smell of fresh-baked bread as we pass by a bakery.
Across the way in the town’s square, I notice a few joggers and even a group doing a yoga class by the gazebo.
It’s a nice sight. Yoga in DC is people twisting to avoid each other at our crowded metro train stations.
“A little too early for a Pike Special,” I joke as Gabe parks by Pat’s parlor.
“That sounds like a dare,” he says, opening his door.
“You’re not serious—” I begin, but he laughs and motions for me to follow him. “No, but I do have another bucket list item for you.”
I grab my baseball cap and sunglasses and get into incognito mode before he leads me down the block, past Mystic Hollow’s cute storefronts.
I try to keep my distance, but walking side by side on the sidewalk makes it awfully hard to not bump into him. And my hand practically aches whenever it brushes against his. I sneak a glance at his face and catch him looking quickly away like I caught him staring. “We’re almost there,” he says.
We stop in front of a cute café with yellow-painted bricks and blue tables and chairs. I swoon seeing the café’s name. “Latte Love? That’s adorable! And bonus, ‘shop local’ is also on my list.” Though, that’s one bucket list item I won’t have trouble fulfilling at Mystic Hollow’s cute stores.
Gabriel motions me to the front door. “By the way, you’ve already met Marge, the café’s owner.”
I grin, remembering the woman in the colorful dress Gabe called the town’s busybody.
Gabe continues, “She sells a summer iced frappé orange mocha something something that is known for—”
“Brain freezes!” I say, my eyes lighting up.
His eyes sparkle. “Does that sound like the perfect whipped cream–smothered summer drink to you?”
I do a little shimmy. “It’s exactly what I had in mind for my bucket list.”
He tilts his head and motions me to follow him inside. I’m as giddy as Charlie entering the chocolate factory, and he’s Wonka—the Timothée version, of course.
The café has a steady stream of customers, and we dodge one exiting with a large crinkly bag of goodies and a pretty purple boba tea.
The scent of sugary fried sweets makes me happy dance.
I know an iced-coffee-induced brain freeze is my bucket list goal today, but there are a lot of other temptations: pastel frosted doughnuts, flaky sugar-dusted pastries, and jewel-toned macarons that remind me of the gem collection at the Natural History Museum. “What’s your favorite?”
“I don’t eat this stuff,” he says.
I gasp. “Says the boy who dips fries in his ice cream?”
“That was for the sake of your bucket list,” he says. “I took one for the team.”
“Or maybe you’re more boring than I am,” I tease. He breaks into a gorgeous grin that makes my knees wobble like the jelly filling in a doughnut.
“Oh, my word,” says an excited voice. “Is that Gabriel Calabrese gracing my ‘sugar-induced coma’ store?” I recognize Marge immediately as she makes finger quotes around sugar-induced coma, which sounds like something Gabe would say.
His grin is tight-lipped as he greets her. “Abby, you remember Marge.”
“Of course. I was just telling Gabe how excited I am to visit your shop. And your café is adorable. You’re clearly an accomplished entrepreneur with a good eye for design. I love your dress.”
Marge twirls in her flowy emerald-and-rose-pink dress and winks. “I have others like this at my boutique. Gabriel can take you.” She leans close so she practically whispers. “I’m glad you made it. I figured they’d keep you holed up in the inn. It would be such a pity for you to not visit our town.”
I must look as stricken as I feel on the inside. Of course Marge would know who I am. “Gabe has permission to show me around a bit,” I say.
She makes a motion like she’s zipping up her lips in a your-secret-is-safe-with-me way, which is a relief.
She smiles knowingly at Gabe. “And you couldn’t find a better guide.
He’s probably taken photos of every inch of this town, and of course being part of the town’s hospitality industry practically makes him an ambassador for Mystic Hollow.
” Her eyes alight. “Hey. Do you think your mom would be into—”
Gabriel speaks up quickly. “Marge, thanks again for talking to the business council about sponsoring the inn’s jubilee this year.” I exhale, glad to have Gabe interrupt. Once people start discussing Mom, those conversations tend to take a while.
Marge’s body shifts back and she smiles resolutely. “You can tell Ruby a few folks still want to run the numbers, but you have my support wrangling those last-minute holdouts.”
I grin. Coalition building—now that’s a language I grew up around.
She continues, “I know that new resort’s been poaching some of your usual business.
It’s tough.” Gabe looks like he’s holding back choice words.
Marge places a hand on his shoulder. “But I’ve got a good feeling about this year.
Your jubilee’s going to shine. And who knows, some of those resort guests just might wander over looking for the real heart of Mystic Hollow. ”
“We would prefer that those guests stay at our inn,” Gabe says. Marge squeezes Gabe’s shoulder encouragingly, and not for the first time I wonder how much trouble his family business is in.
The front doors of the café swing open as a large group of women in sundresses enters.
“Ah, excuse me, that’s my bridal shower party here for high tea.
You two order whatever you all want.” She nods at one of the store clerks.
“Gabe, we can make you a Worm Cup just like the old days,” she teases.
“He used to insist on only green worms too, so high-maintenance.”
Gabe’s face reddens from embarrassment. “I’m good.” I join Marge as she cackles.
“Let’s check off that bucket list item,” he insists.
As he orders our drinks, I spy with envy on the bridal party seated at a festive long table.
If I were having a party, my guests would be vetted carefully with staff input and security checks, but these women all look like they’re just hanging out with a group of friends and zero expectations.
“Here you go,” Gabe says. My eyes widen as he hands me a huge cup that looks part milkshake, part coffee magic with a fluffy puff of whipped cream dusted with orange sprinkles, and an orange-striped paper straw.
“Like it?” Gabe asks, a pleased smile on his lips.
“Are you kidding me? This drink is so cute, it needs its own profile and a filter named after it.”
He chuckles. “Speaking of social media, how about we sit outside?” I catch his gaze at the women behind us. My pulse quickens seeing some of them whispering and looking our way. Agreed. I prefer to not end up on anyone’s feed.
Outside, we grab a table with an umbrella located on the far side of the café, away from the window with the bridal party.
At a nearby bench, I see Nessa reading a newspaper and Shaw holding his phone in his lap, but not actually looking at the phone.
Even they must be enjoying the nice weather and the chance to breathe a bit in civilian clothes, though the hunter-green windbreaker makes Shaw look a bit like the Hulk.
Gabriel is looking pleased with himself as we place our drinks on the table, and he adjusts his camera.
My face flushes. All kinds of emotions are running through me—excitement, anxiety, and anticipation—and it’s not just because of my beautiful iced coffee concoction.
“Ready,” he says, angling his camera at me and the frappé. “The trick is to slurp fast.”
I nod and take a deep breath as he counts down from ten like a rocket about to launch. On “liftoff” I take a long, hurried sip.
I savor the rich, smooth, and sweet chocolate mixed with coffee and a refreshing citrus burst of flavor. And then I wince as a dull pain makes my forehead tighten and I see stars. “Brain freeze!” I laugh and hiss as my hand rubs my forehead. Why do people like that feeling?
His camera clicks. “That’s another one off the list and a strong contender for my portfolio.” He laughs as he twists his lips and wrinkles his nose in what I think is a poor attempt at imitating my expression.
“Making fun of my pain?” I chide, but my retort is cut short as I notice Shaw talking to a woman by the café’s entrance.
His back is to me, but I know the drill—he’s kindly asking her to give me some privacy.
The woman doesn’t look happy, and I notice she isn’t the only one waving their phone cameras in my direction. I shove my sunglasses back on.
Gabriel sees the commotion and curses under his breath. “Wow, it must really suck sometimes being you.”
“I’m not complaining,” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral and even.
He waggles his brows as he offers me the crook of his arm. “Come on.”
I hesitate, feeling everyone’s eyes on me, but Gabe’s smile is so goofy and inviting I can’t help following his lead. I slide my arm into his.
“Where are we going?”
He flashes a crooked grin. “I think you could use some art lessons.”
I let out a breath, half laugh, half surrender. “Lead the way.”