Chapter 24 Isla
ISLA
“How has your mother lived in Dogwood Cove for over a year and never taken you to Camille’s for lunch?
” Juniper shakes her head in disbelief as she navigates her car into a parking spot along the main street of Dogwood Cove.
“They have the best sandwiches. And the bakery next door is probably the best one I’ve ever been to.
Their apple nut muffins are to die for.”
“She’s mentioned a bakery with good muffins, but not Camille’s,” I reply as we get out.
I immediately pull my jacket hood up against the cold.
“Do they have good soup? This is soup weather.” We hurry to the door of the very cute restaurant we decided to visit for lunch.
Honestly, this entire town is cute. The town square with the white gazebo right across the street from the café looks like it was plucked out of a Hallmark movie.
Stores and business line three of the four sides of the square, with a taller building, town hall, if I remember correctly, taking up the fourth.
Even now, the first week of December, when the weather is cold and dreary, colour and life is everywhere.
From Christmas lights on all of the street lamps, to winter and holiday-themed murals painted on the windows of many of the businesses.
There’s what looks like a sort of nativity scene set up by the gazebo, and a huge tree covered in giant decorations.
Inside, the café is about half full, but we find a table by the front window and sit down, peeling off our winter wear.
It’s warm and smells incredible in here, and I look around with wide eyes.
“Okay, this place is fantastic.” It’s quirky and vibrant with bright colours splashed everywhere, an adorable chalkboard outlining the specials, a huge display case full of delicious-looking goodies, and subtle music playing in the background.
“Right?” Juni agrees just as a woman with dark hair comes over with two menus.
“Hey ladies, welcome to Camille’s. I’m Mila, and you’ll have to excuse me, but I’m normally in the bakery, not serving people.
So if I drop something in your lap, it’s on me,” she says cheerfully.
“Kidding.” She grins at our surprised expressions.
“I mean, I am normally in the bakery, but I won’t spill anything. ”
“Good to know. Hey, aren’t you the owner?” Juni asks. “I’ve been here a few times, and I feel like I heard someone say that once.”
Mila nods. “Yep. Owner, baker, whatever else needs doing, that’s me.”
All of a sudden, realization dawns on me. “Wait. You’re Mila Holt. From the Dogwood Cove Animal Shelter.”
Her smile grows. “Yep, that’s me. Have we met?”
“Not in person. Somehow, we missed each other at the fundraiser gala. I’m Isla Forrester, from the Cedar Creek Thunder baseball team.”
Mila’s mouth falls open in surprise. “Oh my God! Get up here and hug me, woman!” I let her pull me out of my chair and into her embrace with a laugh. “How the heck did we miss each other that night? Oh wait, I know, because I was running around like crazy the entire time.”
I laugh along with her and Juni. “It was a wonderful evening. It’s so good to finally meet you in person after all those emails and phone calls.”
“Definitely. Well, ladies, lunch is on me.” Mila winks, then pulls out a notepad. “Do you know what you want or do you need a few minutes?”
I glance over at the chalkboard I’d seen on the way in. “I’m going to do the soup and sandwich special, please.”
“Oh, same here.” Juni hands our menus back. “Thanks, Mila.”
“You got it, be right back with some water.”
She walks away and Juni turns to me, leaning over the table. “Okay. So, spill the beans, girl. You came home from the conference saying you had big news, and it’s been killing me to wait to hear it.”
I can’t hide my smile, but I do cast a quick look around to make sure no one can hear. Not that I recognize anyone in here aside from Mila, and she hasn’t returned yet.
“When I went to Vancouver for the National ABS Foundation conference, you’ll never guess who was there.”
“Tom Hiddleston.”
“No.”
“Henry Cavill.”
“No, it wasn’t a British actor.” I laugh, and Juni huffs.
“Well, then, I’m lost. Who?”
I lean forward. “Luca. He was the freaking keynote speaker.”
Juni frowns in confusion. “Why was he the keynote—oh my God. Wait. What? Does he? No way.”
I nod. “Yes way. He has amniotic band syndrome, on his leg. But he doesn’t talk about it all that much, so keep that to yourself. I don’t know if any of the guys on the team or in the office know. Okay?”
Juni mimes zipping her lips shut. “Got it. Secret. Locked away. So he was there, and?” She waggles her eyebrows at me. “Please tell me you finally did the dirty with boss man.”
“Only if you never call it the dirty again,” I say with a laugh. “And don’t say boss man, like that. Charlie calls him that. Besides, I don’t want anyone knowing. We’re keeping it secret.”
“Ooh, a clandestine romance. I like it.” Juniper claps her hands together. “But not forever, right? Like, you’re gonna tell everyone soon. I mean, it’s not much of a romance if nobody knows about it.”
“I know. But I’m worried if people find out, they’re going to think I only got the job because of our relationship. And Charlie’s never had to deal with me dating. Who knows what he’ll think. He’s met Luca, but will he think he’s too old for me, or will he be upset?”
Juni scoffs. “Okay, first of all, if anyone tries to say you slept your way into the job, they can take a long walk off a short plank. You didn’t even know him before that day.
As for Charlie, he’d have to face reality someday.
You’re too hot to stay single forever. Besides, I thought you said he and Luca got along at that skills day or whatever. ”
“They did. But hanging out with a guy at a skills day and him dating your mom are two separate things. Besides, he’s still not over losing my dad. What if he gets close to Luca, and then things don’t work out?”
Her expression turns sympathetic. “Okay, let’s not end your relationship before it even starts. Maybe you need to talk to Charlie. He’s a pretty mature kid.”
I sigh. “I know. I should. It’s just, I never expected it to even get this far.
We kissed a couple of times before the conference but decided not to let anything more happen until my contract was over.
Then I saw him in Vancouver, and we were away from home and work and… ” I trail off, my meaning clear.
“Oh, Isla,” Juni murmurs. But the moment is interrupted by Mila, who sets down two glasses of water.
“Hey gals, sorry it took me so long to bring over your water. Your lunches will be out any minute.”
“Thanks.” I smile warmly at her, then look back to Juniper when Mila walks away. “It’s okay, Juni. Everything will work out.”
I hope…
Several hours later, we’re back in Cedar Creek. After picking Charlie up from his friend’s house, the three of us head home for pizza and a movie. Once Charlie disappears into his room with Gus, Juni corners me in the kitchen. I should’ve known this conversation wasn’t over.
“Hear me out. What if you didn’t keep it a secret?” She raises her hand as I open my mouth to protest. “No, wait. There’s no rules keeping you two apart. You didn’t sleep with him to get the job. Those are the facts. So does it really matter what anyone else thinks?”
“Yes!” I interrupt her, folding my arms across my chest as I lean against the counter. “What happens when my contract ends and I have to interview for a new job? What if my future employer thinks I’m a slut, or worse, thinks they’re entitled to sex from me.” I shudder.
“Then they’re a fucking creep and you walk out of the interview and call the cops.
C’mon, Isla. Be reasonable.” Juni’s firm, no-nonsense tone, combined with the pragmatic response, does bring me down a notch.
“It would suck if people judged you for what you do in your personal life. And I get it, trust me, we women face that more often than not. You’ve experienced it firsthand.
But what kind of life are you living if half of it is in the shadows? ”
I arch my brow at her, fighting a smirk. “When did you become so poetical? Also, if we want to talk about hiding the truth from people, maybe you should turn that mirror around on yourself.”
Juniper goes bright red, as I expected her to. “We aren’t talking about me. And there’s nothing to discuss, anyway.”
“Well, there’s nothing more to discuss about me and Luca, either,” I fire back.
“What about Luca? Is he bringing some players to practice again? That was so cool.” Charlie’s voice startles both of us, Juni’s eyes going wide as mine close and I count to five. Please God, don’t let him have overheard anything.
“I’m not sure, kid. Aunt Juni and I were just talking about something I’m dealing with at work.
That’s all. So what did you and Miles get up to after school?
” I ask, deftly changing the subject. I know I have to talk to Charlie about what’s going on soon, but I am definitely not ready for that conversation yet.
His question does serve as further proof that my worries over him getting attached to Luca are valid. If Luca and I were to be together and they connected, and then Luca leaves?
My kid has suffered enough loss. I’m terrified of putting him through that again.