Chapter 1 #2
“Don’t care. I let you hide long enough in this dusty ass cabin all week. I know you’re dying for good coffee, and I know the perfect place,” she said with a hopeful expression.
Ava wasn’t convinced.
“I’m not above emotional blackmail. I’ll get you a wild blueberry whoopie pie,” Summer said.
Ava regretted Summer knew her weakness. The Early Bird Café was the only place she could get her treasured bakery treat.
A treat her dad would buy to lure her into spending time with him well into her teenage years.
The memory sent another pang of sadness through her.
But she couldn’t go there for reasons—one big reason.
“Summer, you know I can’t go there.”
“You’re going to run into him, eventually. Besides, he doesn’t work Mondays.”
Summer was right, but Ava wanted to remain blissfully ignorant of her ex. At least for a little longer.
It was too painful to think about the night Owen told her not to bother coming back and the white-hot shame that burned through her body when the memory resurfaced.
“You’re sure he won’t be there?”
“Positive.”
Ava considered it. Logically, she couldn’t hide in the cabin forever.
Eventually, she’d need more groceries and faster Wi-Fi to check in with work.
Some human interaction wouldn’t hurt either.
And OK, the promise of quality coffee and her favorite sweet did sound amazing.
There was a good chance she wouldn’t see him in town.
If it was his day off, then he wouldn’t be working at the café. She should be safe.
“Let me change and we can get some coffee.”
“Hurry. They’re only open until two on Mondays.” Summer clapped her hands in Ava’s direction. “Chop, chop.”
Ava glanced down at her watch; it was 1:40 p.m. now. The drive was nothing, but she didn’t want to be the person that kept them working longer than they had to.
“Actually, I’m good. I’ll wear this. Let’s go before I change my mind.”
“That’s the spirit. Come on.”
Summer steered her toward the door. The loon yodeled as they walked outside, announcing their departure.
“That damn bird,” Summer chuckled. “I’ve missed hearing it.”
“You’re driving us there. I hate driving up and down this steep driveway. Makes me anxious I’m going to roll right off.” Ava shuddered as she pictured it.
“I got you. Always.”
“I know you do,” Ava said.
Summer held up her pinkie finger in Ava’s direction. The small, childish gesture made Ava laugh. She raised her own pinkie and linked it around Summer’s. They broke apart and climbed into Summer’s Jeep.
“Have I told you about Jenny and her deadbeat husband?” Summer asked.
Ava caught the mischievous look on Summer’s face, the look she got when there was gossip to be shared. She shook her head no and turned to watch out the open window as they backed out of the driveway.
Ava was grateful to Summer for sharing gossip to keep her distracted as they drove away from the cabin.
Ava breathed in the fresh scent of the pine trees drifting through the windows.
They passed the familiar Watson Horse Farm that doubled as a crystal shop before turning left to drive on the winding road leading to downtown Cedar Falls.
The corner of Teaberry and Pond Road was still home to Ida’s Antique Shop, its withered yellow sign barely holding on.
Ava’s anxiety grew with their turn onto Pond Road.
They were nearing the café as they passed the old watermill and the Flynn Real Estate office.
While a few new businesses and apartment complexes had popped up, Cedar Falls mostly looked like she remembered.
Ava eyed the café nervously as Summer parallel parked in front of the abandoned Agatha Building across from the Early Bird Café. Her leg bounced on the floor, a nervous habit she’d picked up from her mom. She reconsidered leaving the cabin for this escapade. Who needed coffee? Not her.
Summer placed a hand on Ava’s knee to stop the jiggling.
“I know what you’re thinking, Ava. We’re going to the café. I promise he’s not here. He never works on Mondays. He’d rather spend his days off with—” Summer stopped. “I mean, he has better things to do with his day off. Come on.”
Ava pushed down her anxiety and reluctantly got out of the car. No time like the present to stop avoiding the past.
Summer looped her arm through Ava’s, hauling her across the street to the café. Sweat formed on the palms of her hands, her nerves getting the better of her as they approached. Ava tried giving herself a pep talk.
You are a grown woman. You can walk into your ex’s business. He won’t even be there.
Summer reached for the door. The bell jingled above, announcing their arrival. It was too late to turn back now. They’d already drawn attention.
As they stepped across the threshold, her childhood memories rushed back. The café even smelled how she remembered. Her eyes darted around the dining area, seeking the familiarity of her past while cataloguing everything new. She was so caught up she didn’t even glance at the counter.
She should’ve glanced at the counter.
“Shit,” Summer swore. She turned stock still, bringing Ava’s perusal to a halt.
“Wha—” Ava stopped as she caught sight of the man behind the counter. Because, of course. Of course, he would be there when Summer had sworn he wouldn’t be.
Ava’s chest tightened at her first glimpse of Owen in ten years. And when their eyes met, the comforting aroma of coffee suddenly made her stomach turn.
“Ava?” he asked.