Chapter Five – Emeline #2
She laughed. “Lilibeth hired me just a few days ago. I planned on telling you when we had our weekly lunch.”
I knew Moreen had been terribly unhappy working for her mother, so I was glad to see she was able to find something else.
Moreen turned her attention back to Levi. “Let me offer you a tour.”
He grinned. “Thanks.”
Before she started the tour, she glanced at me and winked. I pushed her lightly and whispered, “Just go, will you!”
Moreen knew how I felt about Levi. How my heart was shattered when he told me he was marrying Caroline and having a baby with her.
I assumed it was a simple crush, and not seeing him in so long had gotten me over said crush.
Or at least, I thought it had. Seeing Levi again, it was clear those feelings were still there.
And if anyone could see that without me saying a single word, it was my best friend.
“So, most of the storefront is the retail side of the business. We have a small section here for kids. The clothing is all made by someone right here in River Falls Valley. Lilibeth tries to obtain as many locally sourced goods as possible. You’ll see Alice in Wonderland items sprinkled throughout the store, which gives the place that whimsical feel. ”
Levi reached down and picked up a teabag that had Alice in Wonderland on it. He turned it over in his hand, then set it back down before moving on. There were teapots, books, home good items, and more in the space. The store had a little bit of everything for everyone.
“Here are the candles that Lilibeth makes herself. She also has a room upstairs that you can rent out, and where you can make candles.”
“It smells so good in here,” I said as I picked up a candle for a whiff. “I can’t wait for the kids to get to do this.”
Levi smiled. “I think they’ll have fun with it.”
“Back here is the perfumery, where you can make your own fragrances.”
Levi looked through the glass windows that separated the space, and said, “It’s themed like a speakeasy.”
Moreen laughed. “You’re right, it is. I’d let you go in, but as you can see, Lilibeth is with someone right now. You two should sign up for this.”
I turned my head so quickly to glare at my best friend that I almost got dizzy.
“It might be nice to see what it would be like for the kids, don’t you think, Em?” Levi asked.
Moreen’s mouth twitched before I turned to look at Levi. “Um, it would be, but I’m sure Lilibeth is booked solid.”
“Actually, if you’re both free on Friday, I can get you in around five.”
I was positive I was shooting daggers at Moreen, who simply stood there with an innocent smile on her face.
Levi pulled out his phone. “I’ll have to see if my mother can watch Rhett, but I’m down for a private lesson. Em?”
Trying not to freak out at the idea of spending even more time with Levi, and attempting to hide my feelings, I swallowed and replied, “Sure, that sounds like fun.”
Moreen clapped. “Let me go write it down now. Feel free to head upstairs and check out the space up there.”
Levi motioned for me to go first. As I climbed the steps, I plotted ways to get Moreen back for this. She was going to pay, that was certain.
“Wow, this is a great space!” Levi enthused as he walked into the large room. It held rows of tables and was decorated in the same speakeasy theme as the perfumery. “And she rents this space out?”
Clearing my throat, I nodded. “Yes, for private parties and such. I hosted a girls’ night when Lilibeth first opened to introduce everyone to the place and help promote her business.
It’s been a hit since. Lilibeth said she even has people from surrounding towns book for birthday and bachelorette parties. ”
Levi smiled. “With the store below and this space above, I can see why she’s doing good. She didn’t limit it just to perfumery and candle-making. She made the store a home-goods type business with a little bit of something for everyone. Smart decision.”
I smiled. “Did you go to vet school or business school?”
Laughing, he shook his head. “How did you and Lilibeth meet?”
“My mother knows her mom. She helped her get settled here in River Falls, along with your mom and our dads. My father told me about Lilibeth opening Wonderland Whimsy, and I was curious. We met and hit it off. She actually met Ensley first.”
“Really?” Levi said as he walked over to the windows that looked out over Main Street. “This is a great spot for the store.”
Nodding, I replied, “She’s always busy.”
“I’m not surprised,” he said, leaning against the windowsill and folding his arms across his chest. “Brooke would have loved this, especially the Alice in Wonderland theme.”
“She liked Alice in Wonderland?” I asked as I sat on one of the chairs.
“It was one of her favorites.”
I didn’t say anything, mostly because I didn’t know what to say. I chewed on my lower lip and gazed around the room. When Levi finally spoke, I jumped a little.
“I should probably get you back to the ranch. I’ve taken up way too much of your time.”
I stood, then pushed the chair back into place. “Yeah, I should check on Aurora. I’m sorry you didn’t get to talk to Lilibeth.”
Levi’s brow furrowed before he said, “I just wanted to see the store, not talk to Lilibeth again.”
“Oh, okay, well…did you want to walk around the store a little more before we leave?”
He shook his head before he motioned for me to go down the steps first, then followed.
Moreen walked up and smiled. “I’d say Lilibeth won’t be long, but she’s booked for an hour.”
“It’s okay, we saw her over at the café. Just let her know we stopped by so I could show Levi the store. I’ll see her later tonight.”
“Tonight? Do you guys have plans?” Moreen asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
“It’s mainly just a business meeting to talk about when she’s going to come teach the classes for camp.”
“Ah, that makes sense.” The bell above the door rang, and Moreen quickly excused herself and greeted the customers.
“I see you two are still the bestest of friends,” Levi mused.
“We are. Moreen is my ride-or-die.”
“What about Kate? Is she still in River Falls?”
“No, she moved to New York. She’s done a few Broadway shows there.”
Levi’s brows rose. “Wow! That is impressive.”
I nodded. “Yeah. She’s really happy.”
“I thought Moreen wanted to open up a coffee shop or something like that.”
“Bakery. I think it’s still one of her dreams.”
Levi stopped outside the shop and glanced up and down the street. He sighed. “It’s good to be home.” He met my gaze and held it for a heartbeat longer than he probably should have. “Ready to head back to the ranch?”
A part of me wanted to spend the rest of the day just hanging out with him, but I knew that would never happen. “Ready as ever.”
With a smile, he motioned for us to head back to his truck.